Employee Benefits

The firm's employee benefits attorneys offer a complete range of compensation and benefits services to help maximize benefits within budgets and within tax and benefit law guidelines. We design, document, implement, revise and terminate all benefit options, including pension and profit sharing plans, 401(k)s, ESOPs, health and welfare plans including cafeteria plans, executive compensation programs and stock option plans. In addition, we counsel plan trustees regarding plan administration, including documenting investments, determining the eligibility of and obligations to beneficiaries, and working with accountants and actuaries.

Our benefits clients, come from both the private and public sectors and include major corporations, closely held businesses, single and multiple employer plans, collectively bargained plans, governmental agencies and religious and other tax-exempt organizations. Plans vary from unfunded plans to others with assets of more than $2 billion. The common element in all plans is the desire and need to maximize benefits at the lowest possible cost while complying with applicable law.

Litigation

All interested parties want benefits plans to work smoothly and without litigation. When disputed claims happen over, for example, contributions to collectively bargained plans, our benefits and litigation attorneys work together to achieve the best possible result for our clients.

While acknowledging that the main function of any employment relationship is still the providing of a service or the manufacture of a product, the goal of our employee benefits practice is to assist, at a reasonable cost, in framing a benefits package that functions as a key part of the employment relationship.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Employee benefits play a significant role in mergers and acquisitions. Buyers want to know the benefit costs and obligations accompanying an acquisition; sellers want to see their loyal employees protected after the closing. Both parties want a seamless transition from the seller's benefit package to the buyer's benefit package. Benefit plans may have to be adopted, amended or terminated. We work closely with clients to ensure that the benefits portion always fits smoothly into the larger transaction.