Associate - Executive Compensation & Benefits
Pillsbury Open · verified Oct 19, 2026 At a glance
Mid-level Compensation & Benefits role at Pillsbury. Los Angeles · full-time · $235,000–$260,000 base.
hrroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Advise public and private employers on retirement plans, health and welfare benefits, and ERISA compliance
- Counsel clients on fiduciary duties, prohibited transactions, agency audits, EPCRS submissions, and Form 5500 obligations
- Review benefits vendor agreements and address employee-benefit issues tied to transactions
- Work with attorneys across the firm and communicate with clients on complex transactions
- Manage assignments carefully, meeting deadlines and adjusting hours when client work requires it
What you bring
- You have two to three years of experience in executive compensation, employee benefits, or ERISA work
- You hold a JD or foreign equivalent; an LLM may qualify instead, and you have worked at an Am Law 100 firm
- You are admitted and in good standing with the bar where you will practice
- You bring strong academic results, legal analysis, research, writing, communication, and professional ethics
Who this fits
This mid-level associate role suits a lawyer focused on executive compensation, employee benefits, and ERISA matters. You can work from the Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Silicon Valley office, and should identify your preferred location in your cover letter. The work may require extended hours to meet deadlines.
From the employer
Job Description
Pillsbury’s Tax Business Unit is seeking a dynamic, high-performing associate with 2-3 years of experience to join its Executive Compensation & Benefits Practice Group. This position offers flexibility in location, with the opportunity to be in our Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Silicon Valley office. Please indicate your preferred office location in your cover letter.
The ideal candidate will have experience advising public and private employers on a broad range of employee benefits and ERISA matters, with key areas of focus on qualified retirement plan administration and governance (including 401(k) and defined benefit plans), health and welfare plan design, implementation and compliance, ERISA fiduciary duty counseling and prohibited transaction analysis, IRS and DOL audits and investigations, EPCRS submissions, Form 5500 reporting and related compliance obligations, review of vendor agreements, and transaction-related benefits issues .
We are looking for an associate who demonstrates sound judgment, has proven ability to build and maintain professional relationships, and produces work of the highest standard. A proactive mindset, diligence, and a commitment to client service are foundational to success.
Responsibilities include:
- Thriving in a fast-paced environment by collaborating with attorneys both locally and across the firm to deliver exceptional client service.
- Demonstrating flexibility and commitment by working extended hours when needed to meet project deadlines and business demands. An initiative-taking approach and dedication to timely task completion are of the utmost importance.
- Communicate effectively – both orally and in writing – with firm clients on a wide range of highly sophisticated transactions.
Qualifications include:
- Juris Doctor (JD) or foreign equivalent; an LLM will be considered in lieu of a JD.
- Prior or current experience at an Am Law 100 firm.
- Excellent academic credentials.
- Exceptional analytical, research, and legal writing skills.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication abilities.
- Thorough understanding of professional ethics and conduct codes applicable to legal practice.
- Admission to and good standing with the bar in the jurisdiction(s) where you will practice.
Pillsbury has one of the largest and most talented stand-alone groups of compensation and benefits lawyers in the country. Recognized as a premier team nationally and internationally, we provide comprehensive guidance on all aspects of executive compensation and employee benefits. Over the decades, Pillsbury has advised leading private, public, not-for-profit, and governmental entities on many of their most significant and ground-breaking executive compensation and employee benefits transactions and disputes. We also represent individual executives in high-profile employment agreement and exit arrangements.
The expected salary range for this position is $235,000 - $260,000. Final compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, relevant experience, qualifications, skill set, and geographic location.
Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for the position in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please contact us at PillsburyWorkday@pillsburylaw.com.