Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Associate
Smith Anderson is the largest business and litigation law firm headquartered in North Carolinaâ s Research Triangleâ one of the Southeastâ s most dynamic regions for business growth, innovation, and commercial development. For more than 100 years, the firm has served as a trusted advisor to dynamic regional, national, and global companies, earning a reputation for legal excellence, deep market knowledge, and exceptional client service. Smith Anderson combines sophisticated legal counsel with a practical, business-focused approach, supported by a collaborative and collegial culture.
Our ideal candidate would come to us with three to five years of experience working in the employee benefits and executive compensation group of a large law firm. Specifically, the candidate would have experience with:â ¢ Retirement plans and have advised regarding plan administration issues, including correcting plan errors, prepared and reviewed plan amendments/restatements and summary plan descriptions, assisted clients with IRS and DOL plan audits, and prepared a variety of related documents and filings, including 5310s and VCP filings;
â ¢ Welfare plans and have advised regarding COBRA obligations and ACA requirements, and prepared ERISA wrap documents and summary plan descriptions;
â ¢ Equity compensation and have drafted stock option and similar plans making equity-based awards and advised about related tax issues, including 409A;
â ¢ Incentive arrangements and have drafted annual and long-term incentive arrangements; and
â ¢ Benefits in M&A and have done related due diligence, reviewed disclosure schedules, and drafted related resolutions and plan amendments.
Experience with executive employment agreements and related issues, including severance, 409A and 280G is a plus. Our ideal candidate would be able to work independently but enjoy working as part of a team. Excellent research, writing and communication skills are a must, as are exceptional project management skills.
Why Raleigh / The Research Triangle
Raleigh and the broader Research Triangle offer an exceptional professional and personal environment. The region is a major center for business, education, and innovation, anchored by leading universities, a strong commercial real estate market, and sustained economic growth. Attorneys practicing in the Triangle benefit from sophisticated, highâ quality work combined with a strong sense of community, reasonable cost of living, and an excellent quality of lifeâ making it an attractive place to both build a practice and put down roots.
Smith Anderson is committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, strategy, and cohesiveness that supports both our clients and our people. We offer a supportive professional environment with robust training and mentoring programs, meaningful engagement with firm leadership, and opportunities for career growth tailored to individual goals, including alternative career path mentoring and development options.
