Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
In today’s world, the people of an organization are its most important asset. In order to care for this critical resource, employers must provide a benefits and compensation package that is competitive in the marketplace, is aligned with the interests of the organization, and does not constitute a source of unnecessary risk or cost to the organization due to compliance issues.
Our benefits and executive compensation attorneys collaborate with clients of all sizes in a variety of different industries to design and develop benefit programs and incentive compensation arrangements that meet these key goals, while also navigating the complex regulatory and tax laws that impact these arrangements. Once programs are in place, we provide on-going counsel and support to ensure they are administered prudently and to address any compliance issues which may arise.
Our attorneys support organizations and other attorneys in situations where benefits and compensation issues are a priority and the skill, experience, and knowledge to handle those issues is a necessity. These circumstances include handling benefit issues that arise in corporate transactions, representing clients in ERISA litigation, supporting a client in an IRS or DOL audit relating to employee benefit plans, or advising public pension plans that are solely in the business of providing and administering retirement benefits for public employees.
Our attorneys also advise individual employees in connection with evaluating and negotiating compensation and incentive packages offered by their employer and mitigating any adverse tax consequences or risks.
Whatever the need or circumstance, our benefits and executive compensation attorneys strive to provide creative and cost-efficient solutions to best protect, manage, and retain our clients’ number one asset: their people.
Our employee benefits and executive compensation experience includes a variety of different compensation and benefit arrangements, as well as specialized areas practice. These areas of service include:
- Executive and Incentive Compensation
- Retirement Plans
- Public Pension Plans
- Health, Welfare and Fringe Benefit Plans/ACA Compliance
- Fiduciary Counsel and Governance
- ERISA Litigation
- Merger and Acquisition Support
- Section 409A Compliance and Deferred Compensation
- Plan Correction and IRS & DOL Audits
September 19, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
August 10, 2023
Speaking Engagements
Jessica Palvino Speaks on Employee and Independent Contractor Classification Issue at Texas Bar CLE Conference
Jackson Walker senior counsel Jessica B. Palvino is scheduled to present during the Tax Law 2023: Tax Law in the Digital Age Conference, providing insights on tax and benefits issues that arise in connection with employee and independent contractor classification.
July 28, 2023
Insights
End of COVID and Loss of Medicaid Expansion During COVID – A Request from Governing Agencies
By Greta E. Cowart
In a new form of outreach from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the U.S. Department of Labor, a letter was issued to employers, plan sponsors, and insurance issuers (the “Administrators”) on July 20, 2023. The letter requests that the Administrators not impose the 60-day limit on special enrollments for loss of Medicaid coverage on individuals losing Medicaid coverage due to the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency Medicaid expansion.
July 13, 2023
Insights
Frequently Asked Questions Part 60 Under the Affordable Care Act Issued
By Greta E. Cowart
As employers work toward annual enrollment and new service contracts for their health plans, it is key to remember one of the changes to enhance disclosure to individuals contained in the “No Surprises Act” and Transparency in Coverage rules. Beginning on January 1, 2024, there will be an expanded disclosure requirement for group health plans to provide price comparison information for all covered items and services. The No Surprises Act intends to clarify for individuals what their likely costs will be for out-of-network service providers at a facility and for air ambulance services.
June 13, 2023
Speaking Engagements
Chuck Campbell to Speak at the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys Legal Education Conference
Jackson Walker partner Chuck Campbell is scheduled to present during the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys (NAPPA) 2023 Legal Education Conference on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas.
June 8, 2023
Insights
Internal Revenue Service Confirms the Expansion of Self-Correction under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022
By Greta E. Cowart
The expansion of the time period during which inadvertent errors in a tax qualified retirement plan under section 305 of Division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 provided welcome relief. Under the last iteration of the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (“EPCRS”) in Revenue Procedure 2021-30, plan sponsors were limited to self-correction of such errors within the correction period (sec. 9.02), which ended on the last day of the third plan year following the plan year in which the operational error occurred.
April 28, 2023
Speaking Engagements
Jessica Palvino to Speak at UT Law CLE’s Corporate Counsel Institute
Jackson Walker senior counsel Jessica B. Palvino is scheduled to present during The University of Texas School of Law’s (UT Law CLE) 45th Annual Corporate Counsel Institute on Friday, May 5, 2023.
April 25, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates 24 Attorneys Named Among 2023 “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List
Jackson Walker congratulates the 24 attorneys recognized among D Magazine’s list of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2023. For recognition in the list, Dallas attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.
March 23, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2023 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 63 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2023 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list, which recognizes only 5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less.
