Employee Benefits Counsel
About the role
Responsible for monitoring and communicating ongoing and changing laws affecting health and welfare plans, including ACA, ERISA, the Code, HIPAA, and COBRA. The individual in this role will be responsible for the development and presentation of materials on various health and welfare compliance related issues to internal sales teams, as well as external clients.
Responsibilities
- Establish effective working relationships with internal partners, clients and carriers
- Function as part of a national team of Employee Benefit Attorneys to meet the overall objectives for the health and welfare compliance team
- Research, read, evaluate and edit articles, alerts and other materials for publication or distribution to internal and external clients
- Gather material, perform research, and assist client service team in the formulation of strategy to solve client problems related to ERISA, ACA, the Code, HIPAA and state issues affecting health and welfare plans
- Develop and maintain compliance education tools for health and welfare compliance
- Create and deliver presentations to internal staff and to external clients and prospects
- Monitor and identify legal developments such as relevant statutes, regulations, case law and legal articles affecting employee benefit plans
- Maintain and update compliance library resources, including cross checking and validating that information is up-to date
Requirements
- College degree and J.D. required
- 4–8 years experience working on compliance issues of employer-sponsored welfare benefits plans; prior experience in employee benefits law or compliance consulting on these issues required
- Thorough understanding of laws impacting health and welfare plans including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, Internal Revenue Code, and insurance laws affecting these programs
- Full competence with MS Office Suite and Adobe products; ability to quickly become proficient with new technology tools
- Strong research and writing skills with experience interpreting statutes and regulations
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly in both oral and written formats to diverse audiences
- Comfortable with public speaking and presenting complex material in a simple, organized manner
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, organizational, and time‑management skills
- Self‑starter who demonstrates cooperation and collaboration in team settings
- Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with minimal instruction and a high degree of accuracy
- Sets priorities and manages workflow to ensure efficient, timely, and accurate production of tools and materials
- Quickly assesses and learns organizational roles, responsibilities, and process flows
- Maintains cordial, effective relationships with internal clients, team members, and vendors
- Portrays strong leadership skills
- Some travel required (10–20%)
Benefits
USI offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, wellness, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) plan; flexible spending and health savings accounts; short‑ and long‑term disability; life insurance; and other unique employer‑sponsored and voluntary programs. Additional benefits include a generous paid time off policy, paid family leave, and paid holidays.
USI invests heavily in associate development through the USI ONE Advantage® platform, the Summit Awards recognition program, an award‑winning wellness program, college scholarships for associates' children, and financial assistance in times of need. The firm is committed to community engagement, environmental sustainability, and a diverse, inclusive culture through its I’m With U program. USI has been nationally recognized as a top insurance employer, including eight consecutive years on Insurance Business America’s Top Insurance Employers list (2018–2025), six years on Business Insurance’s Best Places to Work in Insurance (2020–2025), and certification as a Great Place To Work (2024–2025).
Pay
$150,000 – $185,000