Associate Counsel, Corporate Services & Retirement

Description

Experience GuideStone!

We are an innovative organization that invests in the spiritual, relational, financial, physical and professional development of our employees. We have a culture that values excellence, teamwork, humility, integrity, compassion and stewardship.

 

What We Offer You!

We offer employees a generous benefits package, flexible work schedules, the opportunity to be involved in community outreach and tuition reimbursement.

 

 

Job Summary

Provides legal services to GuideStone Financial Resources and its affiliates (collectively “GuideStone”) with a primary focus on GuideStone’s role as a service provider for retirement and other employee benefit plans and programs provided or made available by GuideStone.

 

What You'll Do

• Provide legal advice and counsel on matters involving GuideStone as a service provider for retirement and other employee welfare benefit plans and programs provided or made available by GuideStone.

• Provide contract review and advice on a number of complex legal issues pertaining to GuideStone’s ministry to churches and other ministry organizations (and those who serve them) through retirement and other employee benefit programs.  This position will also support a number of corporate functions in the areas of governance, litigation management, contracts, trademarks and other areas of legal support for all areas of the enterprise. 

• Identify and determine avenues of resolution for legal and business issues that impact GuideStone and its affiliates and the employee benefit plans and programs it provides for employers and participants. 

• Apply legal analysis and structured, logical thinking to analyzing operational issues, answering inquiries, evaluating risks and interpreting applicable laws, rules, regulations and other legal authority.

• Work independently to resolve appropriate inquiries under minimal supervision by conducting legal research, analyzing findings, and making recommendations to the business to support the decision-making process. In performing responsibilities, incumbent will work with management and other employees and interact with regulators, external clients, and outside attorneys as necessary or appropriate.

• Coordinate with GuideStone business teams to analyze, evaluate, and implement legal developments (e.g., legislative and regulatory changes) impacting business practices, products, and the provision of products and services by GuideStone. 

• Assist GuideStone in the review and development of new products and services designed to comply with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

• Oversee response to inquiries and address questions from regulatory agencies and other outside parties, such as the IRS or DOL, regarding GuideStone policies, procedures, and guidelines.

•  Supervise and direct administrative support and/or coordinator assigned to support this attorney position.

 

What You'll Need

• Graduate of ABA-approved law school

• Prefer top 25% graduating class rank

• Some incidental travel estimated to be a maximum of 5% of total time

• Texas law license

• Legal knowledge; legal research and analysis; excellent legal writing skill; issue spotting and problem-solving; and clear and concise verbal and written communication skills are key.

• 4-7 years of experience as a licensed attorney including demonstrated experience with contract review, management and negotiation. 

• Must have a firm foundation of legal knowledge and skills and the ability to identify, articulate and address successfully the broad range of legal and business concerns that impact GuideStone and its affiliates as legal entities and their respective products, services, plans and programs.

• Prefer experience with the design, implementation and operation of employee welfare benefit plans and understanding of compliance issues for employee welfare plans, including relevant statutes, rules and regulations.

• Experience with estate planning and/or tax law a plus. 

• Ability to analyze and apply a high volume of technical material effectively and efficiently is essential.

• Ability to adapt to changing demand and project needs and meet applicable deadlines is also vital. 

• Must be able to utilize independent judgment and initiative within the framework of GuideStone’s ministry objectives within the framework of applicable legal requirements.

• Must possess well-developed interpersonal skills and communication skills (written and oral) to assist a wide range of persons from those with substantial experience and expertise in legal and technical matters to those with little or no familiarity with complex legal issues or terminology

• Ability to relate in a positive and productive manner to trustees, management  and to all levels of internal staff as well as outside attorneys and consultants.

• GuideStone Financial Resources is an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and in accordance with applicable federal law related to religious organizations, active membership in an SBC church or a like-minded evangelical Christian church is preferred for this position due to its level in the organization.