Employee Benefits / Employment Law Attorney

The Northwestern Mutual Law Department is seeking a knowledgeable and experienced attorney who is interested in joining a challenging and fast-paced practice advising the Company on a wide range of employee benefits and employment law matters.  The successful candidate will play a critical role in advising and supporting the Company on matters related to employee benefits, including retirement plans and health and welfare programs, and employment law matters.

This attorney will be a member of the Law Department’s Corporate Team, which is responsible for providing legal support and advice in the areas of company tax, investment tax, product tax, human resources, employee benefits, and general corporate matters. This attorney will report to the Vice President – Corporate Counsel in the Law Department.  Specifically, this attorney will: Provide legal advice on the design, implementation, and administration of employee benefit programs, including retirement plans, health and welfare plans and other benefit programs. Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, including the federal tax code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Collaborate with the company’s human resources and management teams to develop and revise employee benefits policies and procedures, ensuring they align with current legal standards and best practices. Assist in drafting, reviewing, and maintaining legal documents, disclosures and communications related to employee benefits, such as plan descriptions, regulatory filings and claims and appeals. Identify potential legal risks associated with employee benefit programs and provide strategic solutions to mitigate these risks. Stay informed on changes in employee benefits law, tax regulations, and ERISA requirements. Provide updates and recommendations based on new legal developments. Support and grow their expertise over time to provide counsel on employment law issues, including recruiting and hiring, wage and hour compliance, leave and accommodation programs, workplace investigations, performance management, restrictive covenants, terminations, pay equity, compensation, labor relations, and employment-related policies and procedures. Collaborate with other attorney specialists in the securities, distribution and sales, financial planning and insurance areas in support of the above efforts. What You'll Bring to the Role: Candidates must have at least three years of legal experience gained at a law firm, an in-house legal department and/or through a government position advising on employee benefit matters. The ideal candidate will have significant familiarity with retirement plans, health and welfare programs and fringe benefit programs, as well as a strong understanding of taxation and application of ERISA to such programs, and preferably familiarity with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations. Candidates must have a willingness to expand their practice over time to include a broad range of employment law matters. Candidates must have the ability to analyze a variety of legal issues, synthesize complex information, research effectively, and provide solution-oriented legal advice to business professionals throughout the Company. Candidates must have an exemplary academic record and a Juris Doctorate. A license to practice law in the State of Wisconsin or a commitment to become licensed within the first year of employment is required. Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, a highly analytical and curious mind, strong attention to detail, creative, comfortable dealing with ambiguity, of high integrity and ethical standards, and evidencing a positive demeanor. Proven ability to collaborate and contribute effectively in a team environment and across teams within and outside of the Law Department; exceptional partnership and relationship building skills. Self-motivated with the ability to work proactively and