Michael Best is thrilled to announce the selection and appointment of three of the firm's attorneys, Julia Mader, Mark Lotito, and Jorge Leon, to national leadership positions within the Employee Plans and Executive Compensation Group of the American Bar Association (ABA) Trust and Estate Law Section for the 2024-2025 bar year effective as of September 1, 2024. The Trust and Estate Employee Plans and Executive Compensation Group assists businesses, their workers, and others in understanding employee benefit plans and compensation arrangements and helps to address issues and challenges that arise in this complicated space.
“The appointment of our benefit attorneys is a testament to the trust and reputation Michael Best has earned in the benefits legal community and exemplifies our commitment to the firm's values of excellence, innovation, collaboration, and community,” said David Krutz, Firm Managing Partner of Michael Best.
Julia Mader was appointed Vice-Chair of the Welfare Benefit Plans Committee. Mader is a rising star within the firm’s benefits group and helps drive the health and welfare compliance strategy for firm clients. She has broad experience assisting clients with a multitude of legal matters concerning group health and welfare benefit plans and multiple employer welfare arrangements.
Mark Lotito was appointed Vice-Chair of the Qualified Plans Committee. Lotito advises on every stage of the qualified plan lifecycle from design, implementation, and administration to termination. He likewise has extensive experience assisting clients with all aspects of plan administration involving plan recordkeepers. Additionally, Lotito has established a strong track record in achieving successful outcomes for clients confronted by employee benefits litigation and arbitration claims.
Jorge Leon was appointed Vice-Chair of the Fiduciary Responsibility, Administration and Litigation Committee. Leon is a frequent advisor of boards, C-suite leaders, and other policymakers on critical and high-profile fiduciary, litigation, and cybersecurity issues.
The appointments will further enable Michael Best’s attorneys to share their expertise with ABA members, and the broader legal community, and continue to strengthen the reputation and sophistication of the firm's national Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice.