[Remote] Product Counsel, ERISA & Operations

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Human Interest is a fintech company focused on providing affordable retirement benefits to small and medium-sized businesses. The Product Counsel role involves being the in-house ERISA expert, providing legal guidance on fiduciary obligations and assisting internal teams in navigating ERISA requirements while supporting product development.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Front-Line Legal Advisor to Customer-Facing Teams: Be the go-to ERISA resource for the internal teams that work directly with plan sponsors and participants — providing real-time, practical legal guidance on the ERISA, IRC, and fiduciary questions that surface as customers interact with the platform. This work spans the full customer lifecycle, from new plans coming onto the platform to ongoing administration and customer retention. Day to day, this includes: Advising on complex plan sponsor or participant questions that internal teams cannot resolve on their own Working through fact patterns where automation, plan terms, or customer expectations don't align, and determining the right ERISA-defensible course of action Helping internal teams navigate ERISA-driven constraints when responding to time-sensitive customer matters, including matters requiring EPCRS analysis, anti-cutback considerations under IRC 411(d)(6), or participant disclosure obligations Advising on when a new or updated fee disclosure is required under ERISA 408(b)(2), 404(a)(5), or related rules, and on the substantive content Reviewing participant-facing communications, SPDs, SMMs, and plan sponsor disclosures for ERISA compliance, including both the content of individual disclosures and the automated workflows that generate them Translating technical ERISA conclusions into plain-language guidance that internal teams can confidently deliver to customers
• Serve as the ERISA SME for Product: Be the go-to ERISA resource for the product team as they design and build new features. This is on-call SME work — you'll be brought in for discrete ERISA questions as they come up in product development, rather than partnering across the full lifecycle of a feature. This includes: Translating ERISA and IRC requirements into clear guidance product managers and engineers can build against Pressure-testing how proposed automation handles edge cases Flagging when a feature would trigger different 3(16), 3(21), or 3(38) fiduciary duties — and helping the team decide the best path forward Synthesizing intelligence from customer matters — what they reveal about platform limitations, edge cases, and systemic gaps — and bringing that back to the product team to drive durable product improvements Across both workstreams, you'll stay current on legislative, regulatory, and judicial developments affecting qualified retirement plans, and advise operations, customer support, and product teams on changes that affect how the platform operates or how the company counsels its customers. You'll also draft and maintain internal policies, procedures, legal guidance, and educational resources that help these teams apply ERISA requirements consistently

Skills

• 5–8 years of substantive ERISA experience focused on qualified retirement plans and fiduciary matters (including 401(k), 403(b), and IRA plans)
• A minimum of two years must be at a law firm practicing in this area
• Demonstrated experience with qualified plan operational compliance, including EPCRS and the correction principles that apply to qualified retirement plans
• Working knowledge of ERISA fiduciary duty and prohibited transaction rules as they apply to plan administration and service provider arrangements
• Experience advising non-legal business teams on ERISA issues in real time, including translating technical legal conclusions into actionable guidance
• Strong working knowledge of ERISA fiduciary duty and prohibited transaction rules and the IRC qualification rules applicable to 401(k) plans
• Admitted to the bar and in good standing, or otherwise authorized to practice law (e.g., registered in-house status) in any state
• Deep, substantive expertise in ERISA — particularly the fiduciary duty, prohibited transaction, and qualified plan rules that govern 401(k) recordkeeping and fiduciary services
• Direct experience providing ERISA advice in operational and product contexts and demonstrate excellent judgment
• Active use of modern AI tools in legal work — for research, drafting, summarization, and analysis
• Ability to work collaboratively and strategically across teams, building cross-functional relationships with product managers, engineers, and operations leaders
• Ability to explain complex ERISA issues with clarity in writing and in meetings to a variety of audiences
• In-house experience at a recordkeeper, TPA, fintech, or trust company
• Direct experience with 3(16), 3(21), or 3(38) fiduciary operations at a recordkeeper or TPA
• Experience providing ERISA input on product, operational, or technology decisions — whether at a recordkeeper, TPA, fintech, plan sponsor, or in a law firm advising clients of that type

Benefits

• A great 401(k) plan: Our own! Our 401(k) includes a dollar-for-dollar employer match up to 4% of compensation (immediately vested) and $0 plan fees
• Top-of-the-line health plans, as well as dental and vision insurance
• Competitive time off and parental leave
• Addition Wealth: Unlimited access to digital tools, financial professionals, and a knowledge center to help you understand your equity and support your financial wellness
• Lyra: Enhanced Mental Health Support for Employees and dependents
• Carrot: Fertility healthcare and family forming benefits
• Candidly: Student loan resource to help you and your family plan, borrow, and repay student debt
• Monthly work-from-home stipend; quarterly lifestyle stipend
• Engaging team-building experiences, ranging from virtual social events to team offsites, promoting collaboration and camaraderie.

Company Overview