Pension and Benefits Lawyer Job in Halifax B3l2c2, Nova Scotia Canada

Pension and Benefits Lawyer

Every day, Morneau Shepell improves the financial security, health and productivity of our client organizations and their employees. Whether we are providing consulting or outsourcing services for pensions or benefits, employee assistance programs, occupational health, or disability and attendance solutions, we recognize that our collection of unique, talented people is what drives our success.

Morneau Shepell is seeking a lawyer who will provide legal assistance to the retirement, benefits and investment consulting practices.   The firm provides services to pension plan sponsors and assists clients with the set-up and ongoing management of employer-sponsored benefits programs.  Reporting to the Legal Director, the successful candidate will work in a team environment, providing legal support services to internal clients and consulting services to external clients in the areas of employment, pension and benefits law.
Morneau Shepell is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia with another Atlantic office in Fredericton, New Brunswick.  The candidate may chose to work in either office. 

Key Responsibilities:

-Provide legal guidance and support to consultants, clients and plan administrators
-Review ongoing legislative requirements and industry developments
-Review plans, trust documentation and insurance contracts 
-Ensure compliance of clients’ pension and benefits plans with pension standards, contractual requirements and Income Tax Act requirements
-Attend meetings, develop reports, prepare presentations, and review plan documentation for existing and prospective clients
-Participate in training sessions and industry conferences to keep up to date on changes to the legal environment, new case law, trends and legal principals
-Update internal consultants and clients on new legal developments and legislative changes
-Draft amendments and update text when required
-Participate in the strategic design and implementation phases of special projects, such as plan wind-ups, governance reviews, conversions and surplus recoveries
-Participate in the development of employee communication material, such as pension booklets, notices, benefit enrolment forms, year-end statements
-Maintain excellent relationships with clients and assist in the development of new business with existing clients
-Manage multiple client assignments and projects in a timely fashion

Job Requirements:

-Bachelor of Laws degree
-Member of Law Society of Nova Scotia or other provincial law society with eligibility to practice in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick;
-Exceptional analytical skills and ability to synthesize complex information
-Exceptional writing and research skills, with particular attention to detail
-Exceptional client focus with strong professional acumen
-Excellent communication, project management and presentation skills
-Highly organized, ability to take initiative and be independent
-Strong appreciation for client confidentiality and privacy
-Efficiency with personal computers and software, particularly MS Word and PowerPoint

At Morneau Shepell, we give our employees opportunities to work on challenging and varied assignments. Moreover, you will be given the opportunity to update your knowledge of pension plan administration by participating in interesting training sessions offered by Morneau Shepell. The open-area concept of our office provides spacious work stations and facilities. Our goal is to have our employees get up in the morning energized by the thought of coming to work in a friendly, receptive environment where fresh thinking is encouraged. We want them to feel excited about the challenges and opportunities they are offered, and to channel their energy into providing the highest level of service to our clients. In short, we want Morneau Shepell to be a place where talented people like coming to work.