Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Associate | Chicago | Am Law 200 ranked

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 200 ranked national law firm seeking a 5th year and above Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Associate to join its Chicago, Illinois office.

This is a corporate focused role advising on employee benefits and executive compensation issues arising in sophisticated transactions and ongoing counseling for a range of business clients.

The firm offers a well established national platform with a collaborative, partner accessible environment and a steady pipeline of corporate work supporting long term client relationships.

You will support mergers and acquisitions by reviewing employee benefit plans, employment related agreements, and executive compensation programs, and will also advise on the design and implementation of benefits and compensation arrangements, partnering closely with corporate deal teams through signing and closing.

The firm is seeking a 5th year and above Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Associate with:

• 5 or more years of employee benefits and executive compensation experience
• Experience supporting mergers and acquisitions, including diligence and deal document review relating to benefit plans and compensation programs
• Substantial experience drafting and reviewing sophisticated corporate documents and related agreements
• Illinois Bar admission in good standing
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple matters independently with client facing professionalism

This role offers consistent exposure to complex corporate matters where benefits and executive compensation issues are central to deal execution, with the opportunity to take ownership of defined work streams, collaborate directly with corporate partners, and build durable subject matter depth within a broader corporate services platform.

Compensation will be competitive and aligned with experience, seniority and the wider market for comparable roles.

Relevant search terms: employee benefits, executive compensation, ERISA, corporate, mergers and acquisitions, M and A, transactional support, benefits diligence, executive pay, equity compensation, incentive compensation, deferred compensation, change in control, 409A, 280G, qualified plans, 401k, welfare plans, compensation committee counseling, deal counsel, corporate services, associate attorney, Chicago, Illinois Bar

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