Client Collaborations

Represented the Chapter 7 trustee in multiple preference actions against creditors and negotiated favorable settlements.

Conducted multiple Bankruptcy Rule 2004 examinations for the Chapter 7 trustee to uncover potential assets for the estate and potential Statute of Elizabeth claims.

Prepare individually-designed plan documents and SPDs for all types of deferred compensation and health and welfare plans. Help employers design their plans to fulfill the employers' objectives. Prepare profit sharing plans, 401(k) plans, money purchase pension plans, traditional defined benefit plans, 403(b) plans, 457(b) plans, nonqualified plans, cafeteria plans, health flexible spending arrangements, DCAPs, HSAs, severance plans, EAPs, educational assistance plans, trust agreements, medical reimbursement plans, and wrap-around plans. Prepare defined contribution plans with varying features, including safe-harbor 401(k) plans, automatic enrollment, and Roth contributions. Prepare plans with all types of employer contribution formulas, including integration with Social Security, new comparability, and age- and service-weighted formulas. Monitor law changes and keeps the plan documents up-to-date. Prepare all types of notices to participants, including 204(h) notices, QDIA notices, safe-harbor notices, automatic enrollment notices, benefit forms, COBRA notices, and privacy notices.

Represented property owners and manufacturers in dozens of injury and wrongful death actions arising at industrial facilities, including injuries caused by alleged defects in premises and claims arising out of alleged exposure to asbestos and other toxins.

Tried to defense verdict before a jury a multi-party injury lawsuit alleging personal injuries arising from exposure to byproducts of defective fuel oil.

Represented petroleum refinery in a suit brought by the employee of a subcontractor who was injured when he fell from his truck while loading at a refinery site. The court agreed that our client owed no duty to the plaintiff because he was the employee of a contractor whose work was not controlled by our client, and dismissed all claims. The dismissal was affirmed on appeal.

Defended employer in a vicarious liability wrongful death action arising out of employee’s drunk-driving accident two hours after conclusion of a no-alcohol children’s Christmas party. The trial court held on summary judgment that the employer was not liable for the employee’s intoxication at the time of the accident and the appellate court affirmed.

Works closely with plan sponsors during the review and negotiation of plan sponsors’ agreements with a variety of service providers, such as third-party administrators, auditors, trustees, and custodians.

Prepares plan documents for various employment benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans, group health plans, cafeteria plans, and health flexible spending arrangements, and amends them for required law or plan sponsor-requested changes.