ERISA/Employee Benefits Lawyer

We are seeking Employee Benefits/ERISA Lawyers to work hybrid or remotely with our clients in the financial services, luxury retail, food/beverage, technology, and life sciences industries, with a primary focus on health and welfare plans.

Responsibilities

• Advise on the design, implementation, and administration of health and welfare benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, EAP, wellness, cafeteria plans, and FSAs/HSAs/HRAs.
• Counsel clients on compliance with ERISA, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), COBRA, HIPAA, MHPAEA, and related federal and state laws affecting group health plans.
• Draft, review, and update plan documents, SPDs, SBCs, required notices, and employee communications for health and welfare plans.
• Advise on plan governance and fiduciary compliance, including oversight structures, committee practices, and documentation.
• Handle vendor and service provider agreements for health and welfare plans (e.g., TPAs, PBMs, stop‑loss carriers, wellness vendors, networks, consultants), including reviewing and negotiating terms.
• Support clients in responding to claims, appeals, audits, and inquiries (e.g., DOL, IRS, HHS, state insurance departments) related to health and welfare benefits.
• Conduct benefits‑related due diligence in M&A transactions, focusing on health and welfare plans, and advise on integration, transition, or termination of plans.
• Monitor and interpret regulatory developments and guidance affecting group health plans and translate them into practical, business‑oriented advice and implementation steps.
• Partner with HR, benefits, legal, and finance teams to develop and implement compliant, employee‑friendly benefits strategies across multiple industries.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of relevant legal practice experience in employee benefits/ERISA law, with a strong focus on health and welfare plans.
• Strong understanding of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, MHPAEA, and other federal and state regulations impacting group health plans.
• Experience with ERISA plan governance requirements, including drafting and maintaining plan documents, SPDs, and required notices, and advising on fiduciary processes for health and welfare plans.
• Experience reviewing M&A due diligence and advising on health and welfare plan issues in corporate transactions.
• Experience negotiating and managing health and welfare vendor contracts (TPAs, PBMs, stop‑loss, wellness, networks, consultants).
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and negotiation skills, with the ability to explain complex benefits rules in clear, practical terms.
• Efficient multitasker with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and cross‑functionally with HR, benefits, finance, and legal teams.
• Positive mentality and willingness to tackle new and evolving business needs, including emerging trends in health, wellness, and leave programs.
• High ethical standards, professional integrity, and sound judgment and risk‑assessment skills in a regulated environment.
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in your state of primary residence.

Compensation, Benefits & Location:

This role offers a range of competitive compensation starting at $120,000 and a highly competitive benefits package in the alternative legal services marketplace that includes health benefits, 401K and more. Axiomites also get access to professional development resources and learning and development programs. Axiomites predominately work remotely, with the exception that some clients require on-site presence.

Axiom is the global leader in high-caliber, on-demand legal talent. Covering North America, the UK, Europe, and APAC, we enable legal departments to drive efficiency and growth and meet the demands of today’s business landscape with best in breed alterative legal services.

Axiom is a leader in diversity, inclusion, and social engagement. Diversity is core to our values and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be named a best place to work for LGBTQ+ Equality, earning top marks in the 2021 Corporate Equality Index for the second consecutive year. Axiom’s legal department is Mansfield certified and is committed to considering at least 50% diverse candidates for leadership roles and outside counsel representation.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Learn more about working at Axiom.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Axiom ensures equal employment opportunity in recruitment and employment, without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religious creed or belief, political opinion, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, age, disability, alienage or citizenship status, marital (or civil or other partnership recognized by law) status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Axiom prohibits and will not tolerate any such discrimination or harassment.

Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities: Upon request and consistent with applicable laws, Axiom will provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in each stage of the recruitment process. To request an accommodation to complete the application form, please contact us at [email protected] and include “Applicant Accommodation” in the subject line.

Axiom respects your privacy. For an explanation of the kind of information we collect about you and how it is used, our full privacy notice is available at https://www.axiomlaw.com/privacy-notice.

Employment with Axiom may be contingent upon successful completion of a background check, providing proof of identity, and possessing the necessary legal authorization to work.

By submitting an application, you acknowledge that all information contained therein, and provided at any part of the application process, is correct and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

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