ERISA Attorney Resume Example

Senior Counsel, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation · Horizon Tech Corp

San Francisco, CA · 2018 - Present

• Led ERISA and benefits due diligence for over 15 corporate acquisitions and divestitures totaling $8B, resulting in 15% average reduction in post-closing liability exposure.
• Designed and implemented new executive compensation plans for 300+ senior leaders, ensuring compliance with IRC Sections 409A and 280G, and aligning incentives with corporate strategy.
• Managed ongoing compliance for 20+ qualified and non-qualified plans covering 50,000+ employees, successfully guiding the company through 3 IRS and DOL audits with no significant findings.
• Advised HR and executive leadership on complex benefits issues, including plan amendments, COBRA, HIPAA, and Affordable Care Act compliance, mitigating regulatory risks by 20% annually.
• Negotiated favorable terms with benefits vendors, achieving a 10% reduction in administrative costs for the company's 401(k) and health plans.

Senior Associate, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation · Bay Area Benefits Counsel LLP

San Francisco, CA · 2014 - 2018

• Provided comprehensive ERISA counsel to 50+ diverse clients, including private equity firms, public companies, and non-profit organizations, on plan design, administration, and compliance.
• Conducted benefits due diligence for 25+ M&A transactions, identifying and resolving critical benefits-related risks for acquiring entities.
• Drafted and reviewed plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and employee communications for defined benefit, defined contribution, and welfare benefit plans, ensuring regulatory adherence.
• Successfully represented clients in voluntary correction program submissions to the IRS and DOL, resolving compliance issues for 10+ plans without litigation.
• Advised on executive compensation arrangements, including deferred compensation plans, phantom equity, and severance agreements, for high-net-worth individuals and corporate clients.

Associate Attorney, Benefits Group · Western Regional Law Firm

San Francisco, CA · 2012 - 2014

• Assisted senior attorneys in advising regional clients on qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, health and welfare plans, and executive compensation matters.
• Conducted legal research and drafted memoranda on complex ERISA issues, including fiduciary duties, prohibited transactions, and plan termination rules.
• Prepared and filed various regulatory submissions, including Form 5500 filings, plan amendments, and determination letter applications.
• Supported M&A teams by conducting initial benefits due diligence reviews and drafting relevant provisions in transaction agreements.
• Participated in client meetings and presentations, effectively communicating legal concepts to non-legal professionals.

Juris Doctor (JD), magna cum laude · University of California, Berkeley School of Law

Berkeley, CA · 2009 - 2012

• Berkeley Law Foundation Fellowship Recipient
• Associate Editor, California Law Review
• Recipient of the Prosser Prize in Employee Benefits Law
• GPA: 3.8/4.0

Bachelor of Arts in Economics, cum laude · University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · 2005 - 2009

• Golden Bear Scholarship Recipient
• Member, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
• Dean's List all semesters
• GPA: 3.7/4.0

Counsel, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation · Mayer Brown LLP

Chicago, IL · 2022 - Present

• Provide strategic counsel on all aspects of ERISA, including plan design, administration, and fiduciary duties, for institutional clients with assets exceeding $5 billion.
• Spearheaded integration of benefit plans in M&A transactions exceeding $1 billion, ensuring seamless transition and compliance.
• Developed and delivered training sessions on new ERISA regulations to internal teams and clients, improving compliance awareness by 30%.
• Negotiated with third-party administrators and recordkeepers, optimizing plan services and reducing administrative costs by 10% for key clients.

Senior Associate, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation · McDermott Will & Emery

Chicago, IL · 2017 - 2022

• Advised plan sponsors and fiduciaries on ERISA compliance for qualified and non-qualified plans, impacting over 100,000 plan participants.
• Led internal audits of employee benefit plans, identifying and remediating compliance gaps for 7 major clients, avoiding potential penalties totaling $2 million.
• Structured and drafted executive compensation plans, including deferred compensation and equity incentive programs, for C-suite executives.
• Represented clients in IRS and DOL audits, successfully resolving 95% of inquiries without penalties.

Associate, Corporate Transactions · Sidley Austin LLP

Chicago, IL · 2014 - 2017

• Managed due diligence for M&A deals valued at over $500 million, identifying key regulatory compliance issues across various sectors.
• Drafted and negotiated complex commercial agreements for private equity clients, reducing contractual risk by an average of 15% per transaction.
• Advised on corporate governance and securities compliance for 20+ public and private companies.
• Facilitated 5 successful IPOs by ensuring adherence to SEC regulations and corporate disclosure requirements.

Juris Doctor (JD) · Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law

Chicago, IL · 2011 - 2014

• Magna Cum Laude
• Order of the Coif
• Staff Editor, Northwestern University Law Review

B.S. Finance · University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Urbana, IL · 2007 - 2011

• Summa Cum Laude
• GPA: 3.9/4.0
• President, Business Law Association