EB Compliance Attorney

Higginbotham•Fort Worth, TX

About The Position

The Compliance Attorney serves as a technical and legal compliance resource within the Employee Benefits division of an insurance brokerage and consulting firm. The role provides guidance to clients and internal teams on federal and state laws affecting employer-sponsored health and welfare benefit plans. Under the direction of the Managing Director of Compliance, the attorney researches and analyzes complex employee benefits issues, assists with compliance strategies, develops compliance resources, reviews plan practices and documents, and supports consultants and account teams on regulatory matters. The position translates complex legal and regulatory requirements into practical guidance for employers and employee benefits professionals. It does not provide outside legal counsel to clients; the attorney must distinguish compliance consulting services from legal advice that requires a client's own counsel. The role also supports compliance service strategy, training, risk assessments, regulatory updates, and mentorship of compliance team members.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Admission to and good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
Strong legal research, analytical, and written communication skills.
Ability to interpret statutes, regulations, and agency guidance and translate them into practical business guidance.
Strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
Ability to communicate complex regulatory concepts effectively to clients and non-attorneys.
Minimal travel of 2–4 days per month.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to lift 25 pounds.
Repeated use of sight to read documents and computer screens; repeated use of hearing and speech to communicate by telephone and in person; repetitive hand movements such as keyboarding, writing, and 10-key; and walking, bending, sitting, reaching, and stretching in all directions.

Nice To Haves

Experience in employee benefits, ERISA, health and welfare plan compliance, insurance, employment law, or a related practice area.
Experience working for an employee benefits brokerage, consulting firm, law firm, insurance carrier, TPA, or benefits department.
Familiarity with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Internal Revenue Code Sections 105 and 125, CAA, MHPAEA, and related employee benefits requirements.
Experience presenting webinars, client seminars, capabilities presentations, or professional training programs.
Applied Epic experience, or knowledge of a similar Agency Management System (AMS).

Responsibilities

Provide technical compliance guidance on employer-sponsored health and welfare benefit plans under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, CAA, the No Surprises Act, MHPAEA, and other applicable laws.
Research statutes, regulations, agency guidance, court decisions, and other legal developments affecting employee benefit plans.
Analyze complex compliance questions from clients and internal stakeholders, and translate requirements into practical recommendations and implementation guidance.
Assist employers with ERISA compliance, including plan documentation, disclosures, Form 5500 requirements, fiduciary responsibilities, and plan governance.
Provide guidance on Section 125 cafeteria plans, including eligibility, election changes, and nondiscrimination requirements.
Assist with compliance issues involving HRAs, health FSAs, HSAs, wellness programs, and other account-based benefit arrangements.
Provide technical support on COBRA administration, HIPAA privacy and security, Medicare Secondary Payer rules, and other continuation or coordination requirements.
Advise on ACA employer mandate, eligibility, affordability, reporting, and related requirements.
Assist with CAA, Transparency in Coverage, prescription drug reporting, gag clause attestations, PBM transparency, and emerging health plan requirements.
Analyze compliance considerations for self-funded, level-funded, and fully insured benefit arrangements.
Assist with compliance questions involving MEWAs, association health plans, and other multiple-employer arrangements.
Review plan documents, SPDs, wrap documents, amendments, policies, notices, vendor agreements, and other benefit-related materials for compliance considerations.
Help clients identify and correct potential compliance deficiencies.
Support benefit plan compliance audits and risk assessments.
Develop compliance checklists, guides, toolkits, model notices, FAQs, articles, presentations, and other client-facing resources.
Prepare regulatory updates and compliance alerts about significant legislative, regulatory, and litigation developments.
Conduct webinars, seminars, and training for clients and employees, and assist with prospect meetings and capabilities presentations.
Provide technical training and support to account managers, consultants, and other Employee Benefits team members.
Assist the Managing Director of Compliance with developing and implementing the firm's compliance service strategy.
Collaborate as appropriate with clients' legal counsel, tax advisors, TPAs, carriers, PBMs, and other vendors.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Compliance Specialists and other compliance team members.
Monitor federal and state legislative and regulatory developments affecting employer-sponsored benefit plans.
Participate in special projects and perform other compliance-related duties as assigned by the Managing Director of Compliance.