Norbert Kugele specializes in the areas of employee benefits and privacy and information security law. He works with large and small companies, public school districts, colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations to help them provide health benefits and fringe benefits to their employees.  He also works with organizations of all sizes on understanding and complying with state, federal and international privacy and information security laws.

Representative Experience

• Developed HIPAA privacy and security policies for multinational company with self-funded health plans
• Advises insurers on HIPAA privacy and security issues
• Works with some of West Michigan’s largest employers in developing summary plan descriptions and other disclosure documents to effectively communicate benefits and disclosures required under ERISA
• Counsels private and publicly held corporations on executive compensation and severance issues for compliance with Tax Code Sections 409A and 280G
• Represents community hospitals in responding to subpoenas and administrative requests for medical records
• Advises national financial services company on privacy and security issues
• Helps internet retailers develop privacy policies for Web site operations
• Counsels organizations on responding to security breach incidents
• Counsels companies on European Commission's Directive on Data Protection and U.S.-European Safe Harbor Framework
• Counsels regional pharmacy on privacy and security issues relating to Web site operations

Honors and Awards

• Harno Fellow
• Order of the Coif
• Note and Comment Editor, University of Illinois Law Review, 1991-92

Bar Associations

Teaching and Lecturing

• Norbert has been an instructor at numerous in-house, firm-sponsored and professional association seminars on HIPAA privacy and security compliance for employers, Medicare Part D compliance issues for health plan sponsors, COBRA administration, executive compensation and ERISA compliance issues
• "Health Care Reform Update: Grandfathered Plans," WNJ Webinar, July 14, 2010
• "Health Care Reform Update," WNJ Webinar, April 21 and June 2, 2010
• "Health Plan Check-Up: The Basics" and "HIPAA Basic Training for Health & Welfare Plan Administrators," WNJ Human Resources Seminar, March 23, 2010, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• "COBRA Subsidy Extension: What This Means For You," WNJ Webinar, January 27, 2010
• "The New HIPAA Amendments:  What It Means for You," program cosponsored with Apec Applied Security in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on May 19, 2009
• "The New COBRA Subsidy Requirements," program on March 26, 2009, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• "New COBRA Requirements:  Economic Stimulus Program Requires Quick Action," program on March 3, 2009, Grand Rapids, Michigan; and on March 5, 2009, Southfield, Michigan 
• "Red Flag Compliance:  Protecting Yourself and Your Patients From Identity Theft," program on March 18, 2008, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• "Time to Shape Up Your Cafeteria Plan," WNJ Human Resources Seminar, September 11, 2008, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• "Hot Fringe Benefits Issues," WNJ Human Resources Seminar, September 11, 2008, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• "Does Your Cafeteria Plan Need Updating?," January 9, 2008, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Publications

• Norbert has authored numerous articles on HIPAA privacy and security issues, structuring of wellness programs, tax code compliance problems for executive compensation arrangements, and electronic delivery of benefit disclosure documents
• Norbert has also been quoted in articles published in the Grand Rapids Press, the Grand Rapids Business Journal, MIBizWest, the Washington Post and the World Peace Herald

• Health Care Reform Update: The Latest Guidance Questions and Answers on Young Adult Coverage and Small Employer Tax Credit
• What Employers Should Know About Covering Young Adults Under Their Health Plans

Professional Affiliations

• American Health Lawyers Association
  
• Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
  Health Care and Human Resources Committee; Chair of Subcommittee on HSAs (2008)
  
• Catholic Lawyers of West Michigan
  

Community Affiliations

• Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
  Health & Human Resources Committee
  

News

• Warner Partner and Blogger Norbert Kugele Talks Insurance with Employee Benefit News
• Grand Rapids Law Firm Expands Presence in Blogosphere

Events

• New COBRA Requirements: Economic Stimulus Program Requires Quick Action
• New COBRA Requirements: Economic Stimulus Program Requires Quick Action