Employee Benefits & Executive CompensationOverviewAn employer’s offering of employee benefits should strengthen the employment relationship, but the related financial and regulatory implications are more challenging today than ever before. Michael Best’s Employee Benefits team embraces a practical approach that delivers real-world solutions to a diverse group of clients, including public and private companies, nonprofit organizations, and governmental entities. The team counsels employers as they evaluate and implement a wide variety of employee benefit arrangements, including health and welfare plans, qualified retirement plans, and executive compensation arrangements. One of the many ways the Michael Best Employee Benefits team distinguishes itself is that our benefits professionals regularly collaborate with employment attorneys. This collaboration permits a dynamic and grounded approach to benefits, which is unlike the more traditional approach where a benefits group is largely composed of narrowly focused tax attorneys who rarely communicate with human resources personnel and who are unfamiliar with common employment problems. Our benefits professionals pride themselves on mastering the constantly changing laws to help our clients expertly navigate the legal landscape, and execute a benefit and compensation package that serves the needs of employees and the organization. We have a wealth of experience with the litany of laws impacting benefit and compensation programs, including:
- Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
- Internal Revenue Code (Code)
- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA)
Benefits are regulated by multiple governmental agencies at the federal level and otherwise, and our team regularly advises on compliance efforts and defends clients in inquiries and examinations initiated by federal agencies and multi-employer plans.
Our experience extends beyond established companies; we frequently help startup clients vet and adopt effective employee benefit plans and policies, and advise them on the selection of appropriate benefits service providers. Experience
We provide comprehensive health and welfare plan counseling, including the drafting of benefit plans for health, dental, life, disability, severance, and other benefits and ensuring compliance with HIPAA, COBRA, the ACA, and other applicable laws. Our experience with health and welfare plans also encompasses preparation and review of government filings, defense of audits (e.g., DOL and HHS), and a wide range of other administrative counseling.
Disputes over employee benefits are becoming more common, bringing financial risk to employers and plan fiduciaries. Our ERISA Litigation team develops strategies and programs to address benefits disputes before they reach litigation. We regularly advise clients on developing best practices, proper compliance, benefit claims and appeals procedures, and litigation avoidance approaches and, if necessary, defenses that can eliminate or minimize liability exposure. When benefits disputes result in litigation, we defend clients in a wide-variety of cases in state and federal courts. We have experience in class actions, multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability and contribution claims, fiduciary breach and prohibited transaction claims, actions involving 401(k), 403(b), defined benefit pension plans, and employee stock ownership (ESOP) plans, as well as disputes involving non-qualified and top hat deferred compensation plans, disability claims, and medical provider disputes.
As a component of our Employee Benefits practice, we have developed a sub-practice concentrated specifically in the ACA. Since the ACA’s adoption, we have been helping employers understand and address the multifaceted challenges posed by this complex and evolving law. Working closely with clients to prioritize their needs, we establish the most cost-effective approach to healthcare benefits in a compliant manner.
Our clients understand that retirement savings and security are important to their workforce. Using this as our guide, we partner with our clients to assist them in adopting, implementing, and administering a wide variety of retirement plans, ranging from defined contribution plans (e.g., 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b)) to hybrid and defined benefit/pension plans. Our team also keeps abreast of regulatory changes and takes the lead in updating retirement plan documents. When operational, documentary, or other compliance issues arise, we counsel our clients through administrative best practices as well as potential correction efforts and filings. Given the heightened level of scrutiny on retirement plans and their fiduciaries, our team is also actively engaged in counseling on the investment of plan assets, helping to avoid prohibited transactions, and otherwise fulfilling fiduciary duties. We assist proactively, including by establishing strong fiduciary governance and providing fiduciary training.
Our team has more than 30 years of experience with the many business and regulatory issues associated with ESOP design, implementation, and operation. We represent clients who are transitioning to full or partial ESOP ownership, as well as clients who have already made the shift.
We help clients attract and retain key executives through the adoption of mutually advantageous compensation and incentive arrangements, such as:
- Traditional non-qualified, executive deferred compensation arrangements
- Supplemental executive retirement plans
- Equity and equity-based plans (including stock option plans, stock appreciation rights plans, restricted stock agreements, restricted stock units, performance share, and performance unit plans)
- Bonus plans, long-term incentive arrangements, and short-term incentive arrangements
- The benefit aspects of employment and separation agreements
We appreciate that these arrangements are subject to strict regulation under various tax laws and, in many instances, the programs are only as valuable as their compliance with all potentially applicable laws, including Code sections 409A, 162(m), and 457(f). We help clients find creative and cost-effective solutions which consider the tax liability. We routinely counsel clients on drafting and administering these arrangements.
By providing regular program reviews and internal audits, we can spot potential issues and make recommendations that can limit the possibility of future benefit claims and costly administrative corrections and litigation.
Related PeoplePreview Attorney's BiographyAndrew’s practice focuses on employee benefits and executive compensation. He assists both public and private companies with a wide range of employee benefits matters, including plan design and administration, legal compliance, fiduciary duties, and employee benefits litigation.Prior to joining the firm, Andrew worked as an Associate at a large global law firm. In this role, he demonstrated expertise in advising clients on executive compensation and employee benefits matters, particularly ... Lila J. Brueggeman* *Names that appear with an asterisk indicate a Michael Best professional not admitted to practice law.  Preview Attorney's BiographyTeresa brings an extensive background in employee benefits and affirmative action to her work as a labor and employment paralegal. Teresa M. Como* *Names that appear with an asterisk indicate a Michael Best professional not admitted to practice law.  Preview Attorney's BiographyDavid is a zealous and unrelenting advocate in employment and labor relations matters. He also serves as general counsel for selected clients. David’s practice is defined by his singular commitment to helping clients achieve their business objectives.  Preview Attorney's BiographyJorge is skilled at successfully managing and staffing the full service benefit and compensation needs of clients ranging from small operations to large multinational companies. Clients have entrusted Jorge and his team to oversee the design and administration of their health and welfare programs, executive compensation arrangements, and retirement plans.  Preview Attorney's BiographyNate Linger is an associate in the Labor & Employment Group at Michael Best focusing on employee benefits and executive compensation matters. Nate has significant experience representing clients in employee benefit matters for corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures for private and public companies. Nate is skilled in advising on health and welfare-related administration and compliance issues that arise under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and the Affordabl ...  Preview Attorney's BiographyMark assists clients in a range of employee benefits matters, including legal compliance, transaction due diligence, and litigation. He brings a multifaceted, big picture outlook to helping clients unravel the challenges of complex benefits-related problems.He has established a strong track record in achieving successful outcomes for clients confronted by employee benefits litigation and arbitration claims. Mark has also successfully litigated patent and trade secret litigation claims, as well as employment non-compete claims.
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