Employee Benefits & Employment Law - Counsel

GEICO•Bethesda, MD

7d•$151,700 - $235,750•Hybrid

About The Position

GEICO is seeking an experienced lawyer to join its in-house Employment Law department. The Counsel, Employee Benefits & Employment Law, will be primarily responsible for advising internal stakeholders on legal issues related to employee benefits, including retirement plans (401(k), pensions), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision), and other employee benefits programs. The attorney will also ensure compliance with federal and state laws, including ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as well as applicable state and local regulations, draft and review benefit plan documents, including plan designs, summaries, amendments, and participant communications. In addition, this role will afford the attorney the opportunity to support the general Employment Law department by providing advice and counsel on a variety of non-benefits related employment law issues. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of relevant substantive experience in a law firm, government agency and/or large in-house legal department. In addition, the successful candidate will have excellent communication and people skills, strong judgment, a broad range of employee benefits and general employment law experience, and an eagerness to be involved in a dynamic company.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
Requires 5+ years of employee benefits law and employment law experience at a law firm, government agency, and/or in-house role.
Deep knowledge of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, the Affordable Care Act, and other relevant legislation governing employee benefits.
Experience with retirement plan design, health and welfare benefits, executive compensation, and other employee benefits programs.
Familiarity with EEO, wage and hour, and other federal, state, and local employment law issues.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, with attention to detail.
Proven track record of managing complex legal matters and providing sound advice to clients or internal stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing general employment law advice.
Insurance industry-related experience considered a “plus.”
Experience working with cross-functional teams, both legal and non-legal.

Responsibilities

Provide legal support in connection with the design, implementation, and administration of employee benefit plans.
Advise on issues related to plan fiduciary duties, prohibited transactions, plan governance, and dispute resolution.
Stay current on developments in employee benefits law, including legislative and regulatory changes, and interpret their impact on clients and internal policies.
Represent clients or the organization in regulatory inquiries, audits, and litigation related to employee benefits.
Collaborate with HR, finance, and other departments to ensure alignment of employee benefits plans with organizational goals and legal requirements.
Conduct training sessions and provide guidance on employee benefits laws and best practices for internal teams or clients.
Support the entire Employment Law team, as needed, by providing advice and counsel on company compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.