Associate Counsel/ERISA Lawyer

Wilshire Advisors - New York, NY

Full-time - Mid Level

New York, NY

About the position

The Associate Counsel/ERISA Lawyer will join Wilshire's in-house legal team, providing legal advice and guidance on ERISA compliance and related regulations. This role is crucial in overseeing legal aspects of asset management services, ensuring adherence to applicable laws and industry standards, and managing fiduciary obligations across various business lines.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and guidance on ERISA compliance and related regulations
• Oversee and manage legal aspects of asset management services, ensuring adherence to applicable laws and industry standards
• Negotiate all ERISA-related contracts across various business lines, ensuring compliance and alignment with fiduciary obligations
• Advise on fiduciary matters related to the firm's internal benefit plans and changes to ERISA rules impacting benefit plan fiduciaries
• Provide legal support for existing and new services and product offerings across the firm
• Negotiate investment management agreements and other contracts involving plan assets
• Participate in client onboarding and implementation meetings to ensure compliance with legal and fiduciary standards
• Manage conflicts of interest across different client types and products, ensuring transparency and adherence to regulatory guidelines
• Advise on overall fiduciary governance and compliance, ensuring that all practices meet regulatory requirements and best practices
• Support the firm's qualified professional asset manager (QPAM) compliance program, overseeing compliance with internal reviews, reports, policies and procedures, audit requests, and QPAM training
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, including investment management agreements, consulting agreements, service agreements, and other legal documents
• Conduct legal research and stay updated on relevant legislation and regulatory developments affecting the asset management industry
• Assist with the development of training materials and programs to educate internal teams on compliance and legal requirements

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• 5-6 years of relevant ERISA asset management legal experience required, including in-house at a registered investment adviser and/or an AmLaw 100 law firm
• Deep knowledge of ERISA regulations, asset management, and retirement plan compliance
• Experience managing the regulatory environment governing investment advisory services, including conflicts management across a variety of clients and product types
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and negotiation skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments
• Active member in good standing of the CA, IL or NY bar
• Must be available 2-3 days in-office at Wilshire's offices in Santa Monica, Chicago or New York City

Benefits

• Collaborative work environment
• Generous PTO
• 401(k) match
• Affordable & comprehensive medical/dental/vision insurance
• CFA and other professional membership reimbursement
• Eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus
• Full range of health and financial benefit offerings