Lisa B. Zimmer
- Partner
My admin
- Ashlie Wegener
I enjoy getting to know my clients both professionally and personally. I let them know I'm here to help them avoid problems, resolve issues and attain optimal outcomes with practical, logical and cost-effective solutions that work for their real-life circumstances. When I negotiate on their behalf, I'm cordial but very persistent and don’t stop until I get them what they need.
With more than three decades of experience in the employee benefits arena, Lisa Zimmer counsels employers in the design, documentation, implementation and compliance of their 401(k) plans, pension plans and nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements. She advises primarily Michigan-based businesses, including several large multinational companies that locate their U.S. headquarters in the state.
industries
practices
- Successfully negotiated settlement of two-year DOL investigation of client’s two multiple employer defined contribution plans with combined assets of more than $285 million.
- Managed employee benefit plan issues in connection with bankruptcy and subsequent liquidation of company, including eventual termination of all benefit plans; for defined benefit pension plan, prepared all required filings and notices to the PBGC and handled all discussions with PBGC, including those leading to PBGC’s trusteeship of the plan.
- Successfully negotiated IRS voluntary compliance program application for 401(k) plan operational failure, saving the client more than $100,000 in potential additional contributions to the plan.
- Negotiated investment manage
- Successfully negotiated settlement of two-year DOL investigation of client’s two multiple employer defined contribution plans with combined assets of more than $285 million.
- Managed employee benefit plan issues in connection with bankruptcy and subsequent liquidation of company, including eventual termination of all benefit plans; for defined benefit pension plan, prepared all required filings and notices to the PBGC and handled all discussions with PBGC, including those leading to PBGC’s trusteeship of the plan.
- Successfully negotiated IRS voluntary compliance program application for 401(k) plan operational failure, saving the client more than $100,000 in potential additional contributions to the plan.
- Negotiated investment manager agreements for client’s defined benefit and defined contribution plans with combined assets of $1.8 billion.
- Managed disaffiliation/withdrawal process for multiple employer pension plan with over $36 million in assets; during a three year period approximately 20 employers either spun-off from the plan (and created their own pension plans) or withdrew from the plan (and agreed to pay their unfunded liability).
- Prepared documents to merge two multiple employer defined contribution plans with approximately 200 participating employers in each plan and combined assets of more than $285 million, taking into account all of the available options in the main plan documents and corresponding adoption agreements.
- Developed and supervised qualified domestic relations order review process for client’s pension and 401(k) plans covering more than 100,000 participants and with combined assets of more than $5.4 billion.
- Analyzed and prepared PBGC reportable event filings and 4062(e) filings (in connection with facility closures) for several defined benefit pension plan clients and handled subsequent discussions with PBGC.
- Drafted requests for proposal for investment advisory, recordkeeping and trustee services for pension and 401(k) plan clients.
- Revised investment adviser clients’ advisory and recordkeeping agreements for compliance with the reporting requirements under ERISA Section 408(b)(2).
- Counseled investment adviser clients on a range of ERISA compliance issues in connection with the services they provide to their retirement plan clients, including compliance with ERISA’s prohibited transaction rules.
- As ERISA counsel for Cerberus Capital Management, successfully obtained dismissal of class action lawsuit by former Chrysler executives alleging that their nonqualified deferred compensation plan benefits should have survived bankruptcy.
- “Fiduciary Responsibilities in Today’s Regulatory Environment,” Fiducient Advisors Investors Conference, Chicago, Illinois (October 13, 2022)
- “Warner Virtual Automotive Executive Roundtable Series: HR Challenges and Issues,” Warner Webinar, June 16, 2021
- “The Modernized Marketing Rule,” Virtual CCO Roundtable, March 3, 2021
- “Total Wellness Programs: Win-Win for the Employer and Employee,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, Grand Rapids, Michigan (May 7, 2019)
- “
- “Fiduciary Responsibilities in Today’s Regulatory Environment,” Fiducient Advisors Investors Conference, Chicago, Illinois (October 13, 2022)
- “Warner Virtual Automotive Executive Roundtable Series: HR Challenges and Issues,” Warner Webinar, June 16, 2021
- “The Modernized Marketing Rule,” Virtual CCO Roundtable, March 3, 2021
- “Total Wellness Programs: Win-Win for the Employer and Employee,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, Grand Rapids, Michigan (May 7, 2019)
- “Financial Wellness Plans,” MiTechNews.com Podcast (May 16, 2018)
- “Benefit Plan Nondiscrimination Testing,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, Grand Rapids, Michigan (May 3, 2018)
- “Benefits Myth Busters” and “Defined contribution Plans 101,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, Grand Rapids, Michigan (May 23, 2017)
- “DOL Fiduciary Rule,”Michigan Bankers Association webinar (January 30, 2017)
- “Identify and Fix the Thorny Issues in Retirement Plans,”Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) Mega Conference, Ann Arbor, Michigan (December 7, 2016)
- “How to Attract and Retain Millennials,” Warner 2016 Labor and Benefits Executive Panel, Novi, Michigan (November 2, 2016)
- “Correction Programs,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, Grand Rapids, Michigan (June 9, 2016)
- Labor & Benefits Executive Panel, Warner Seminar, Midland, Michigan(October 7, 2015) and Troy, Michigan (October 26, 2015)
- “Thorny issues in retirement plans,” Empowering Women & Developing Future Leaders, Novi, Michigan (October 20, 2014)
- Employee Benefits/Executive Compensation Panel Moderator, Labor and Benefits Executive Panel-Government Enforcement Initiatives, Midland, Michigan (September 23, 2014) and Southfield, Michigan (October 2, 2014)
- “HR and Benefits Executive Panel,” Warner Human Resources Seminar, Midland, Michigan (October 9, 2013) and Birmingham, Michigan (October 15, 2013)
- “How Does the Historic DOMA Decision Impact Employers?,” Michigan Chamber of Commerce Webinar (August 28, 2013)
- “What the DOMA Decision Means for Employers,” The Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) On-Demand Seminar (July 19, 2013)
- “6 Steps to Better Governance of Benefit Plans,” Employment Outlook & Strategy Seminar (October 2, 2012)
- “2012 – The Year of the ERISA Fiduciary,” Warner Human Resources Seminar (May 2012)
- “Impact of ERISA 408(b)(2) Fee Disclosures on Investment Advisers.” Warner Webinar (May 2011)
- “2011 Fiduciary Changes – What Is An Employer To Do?,” joint Webinar with Westminster Consulting, LLC (April 12,2011)
- “Retirement Plan Issues in Uncertain Times,” Warner Human Resources Seminar (March 2010)
- “COBRA Subsidy Extension: What This Means For You,” Warner Webinar (January 2010)
- “COBRA Premium Subsidy Update,” Warner Human Resources and Risk Management Mini Seminar Series (October 2009)
- “401(k) Automatic Enrollment and the Qualified Default Investment Arrangement Rules,” Warner Human Resources Seminar (September 2008)
- “Managing Health and Controlling Costs – A Practical Guide to Health Management Programs,” joint presentation with Buck Consultants (May 2006)
- “Goodbye Medical Savings Accounts, Hello Health Savings Accounts, Health Reimbursement Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts,” Lorman Education Services (October 2005)
- “The Importance of SPDs,” ALCOS (June 2005)
- “HSAs: Fad or Fact for Motor City Employers?,”joint presentation with Mellon Human Resources and Investor Solutions (March 2005)
- “Fiduciary Considerations of Electronic Investment Advice,” Michigan Employee Benefits Conference (March 2002)
- Software Supplier Alert: Beware of Ford’s New Terms & ConditionsAhead of the Curve Auto Supplier
- Financial Wellness – Good for the Employer and EmployeeAhead of the Curve Auto Supplier
- Warner Virtual Automotive Executive Roundtable Series: HR Challenges and Issues
- Virtual CCO Roundtable Series: The Modernized Marketing Rule
- 2019 HR Seminar
- Roundtable – Chief Compliance Officer
- 2018 HR Seminar
- Chief Compliance Officer Roundtable – November 8, 2017
- Chief Compliance Officer Roundtable Series
- Chief Compliance Officer Roundtable Series
- Chief Compliance Officer Roundtable Series
- 2017 HR Seminar
- Chief Compliance Officer Roundtable Series – Feb. 22, 2017
- 2016 Labor and Benefits Executive Panel (Novi)
- Chief Compliance Officer Roundtable Series – August 17, 2016
- Warner Attorneys Selected for Multiple Honors by Best Lawyers in America®
- Warner Attorneys Awarded Multiple Honors by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- Warner Named as Leading Michigan Law Firm by Chambers USA 2024
- 22 Warner Attorneys Rated 2024 Top Lawyer by DBusiness
- Warner Attorneys Selected for Multiple Honors by Best Lawyers in America®
- Warner Attorneys Selected for Multiple Honors by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- Warner Represented Syntrinsic in Its Transaction with IMA Financial Group
- Warner Selected as Leading Michigan Law Firm by Chambers USA 2023
- 21 Warner Attorneys Rated 2023 Top Lawyer by DBusiness
- 13 Warner Attorneys Named Lawyers of the Year
- 108 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- 42 Warner Attorneys Recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- Warner Selected as Leading Michigan Law Firm by Chambers USA 2022
- 21 Warner Attorneys Rated 2022 Top Lawyer by DBusiness
- 105 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America©
- 44 Warner Attorneys Recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- Warner Selected as Leading Michigan Law Firm by Chambers USA 2021
- 21 Warner Attorneys Rated 2021 Top Lawyer by DBusiness
- 102 Warner Attorneys Rated 2021 Best Lawyers in America
- 45 Warner Attorneys Recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- Lisa Zimmer Discusses Expanded 401K and IRA Distribution Guidelines Under the CARES Act
- Warner Named a Leading Michigan Law Firm by Chambers USA 2020
- 52 Warner Attorneys Recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- One Hundred and Two Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- Chambers USA 2019 Names Warner a Leading Michigan Law Firm
- 17 Warner Attorneys Rated 2019 Top Lawyer by DBusiness
- 24 Warner Attorneys Recognized as Top Women Lawyers by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- 58 Warner Attorneys Recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- Lisa Zimmer Appointed to Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation
- Financial Wellness Plans For Employees – Everything Employers Need To Know
- Warner’s Lisa Zimmer on Financial Wellness Plans
- LTU Summer Computer Camps, Michigan Celebrates Small Business, ITC’s Go The Distance Informal Learning Event, Warner’s Pension-Plan Replacements
- Chambers USA 2018 Warner Partners as Leading Michigan Law Firm
- 57 Warner Attorneys Recognized as Michigan Super Lawyers
- Ninety-Seven Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- Chambers USA 2017 Recognizes Warner as Leading Michigan Law Firm
- Fifteen Warner Attorneys Rated 2017 Top Lawyers by DBusiness
- Warner Offers HR and Benefits Executive Panel in Novi
- 56 Warner Attorneys Recognized as Michigan Super Lawyers
- 90 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- Lisa B. Zimmer Honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as One of the Leading “Women in the Law”
- Chambers USA 2016 Recognizes Warner as Leading Michigan Law Firm
- PulteGroup, Inc. Names Warner Law Firm of the Year
- Ten Warner Attorneys Rated 2016 Top Lawyers by DBusiness
- 61 Warner Attorneys Recognized as Michigan Super Lawyers
- 98 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- 98 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- Chambers USA 2015 Recognizes Warner as Leading Michigan Law Firm
- 50 Years of ERISA: Reflecting on the Past, Present and Future of Employee Benefits
- Here We Go Again! Fiduciary Rule Effective Date Delayed
- Final Fiduciary Rule — Part 3: Amendments to PTEs 84-24, 75-1, 77-4, 80-83, 83-1 and 86-128
- Final Fiduciary Rule – Part 2: Conflicted Transaction Relief for Investment Advice Fiduciaries
- Final Fiduciary Rule – Part 1: New Definition of Investment Advice Fiduciary
- IRS Publishes Long-Awaited Guidance on Long-Term, Part‑Time (LTPT) Employees
- Proposed Treasury Regulations Impose Hard Deadline and Requirements on Forfeitures in Defined Contribution Plans
- Software Supplier Alert: Beware of Ford’s New Terms & Conditions
- Partial Termination Relief for Retirement Plans in New Stimulus Bill
- IRS Gives Details on CARES Act Funding and Benefit Limitation Rules for Defined Benefit Plans
- IRS Releases COVID-19 Relief and Other Guidance on Mid-Year Changes to Safe Harbor Plans
- IRS Issues Guidance on Waiver of 2020 Required Minimum Distributions
- More Answers From IRS On COVID-Related Retirement Plan Distributions and Loans
- COVID-19 Relief Keeps Coming: IRS Provides Remote Signature Relief for Retirement Plans
- Got Questions About the CARES Act and Retirement Plans?
- Additional Employee Benefit Plan Deadline Relief Due to COVID-19
- No COVID-19 Deadline Extension for Annual Funding Notice
- Executive Compensation Limits Under Certain CARES Act Loans
- Act Now to Determine Treatment of COVID-19 Sick and Leave Pay Under Your Retirement Plan
- CARES Act Provisions for Retirement Plans
- Financial Wellness – Good for the Employer and Employee
- Financial Wellness—Good for the Employee and Employer
- Attorney Spotlight: Lisa Zimmer on Employee Benefits and Retirement Plans
- Deadline Approaching: Warner Customized DOL Fiduciary Rule Compliance Materials for Financial Institutions and Advisors
- DOL Adopts Temporary Fiduciary Rule Enforcement Policy
- DOL Proposes 60-Day Delay in Fiduciary Rule
- Update: Delay of DOL Fiduciary Rule is Not (Yet) “Official”
- DOL Fiduciary Rule Delayed
- FAQs on New Fiduciary Rule Issued
- What Retirement Plan Sponsors Need to Know About The New DOL Fiduciary Rule
- Annual Survey Results: Full-time Hiring Top Priority of Employers
- The Final Fiduciary Rule Has Arrived . . . Finally (NSCP Currents)
- The Final Fiduciary Rule Has Arrived . . . Finally
- Department of Labor Proposes New Fiduciary Rule . . . Again
- Coauthor, Retirement Plan Administration Guide, Chapter 5: Duties of Pension Plan Administrators, Bloomberg, 2021
- “Employee Benefit and Retirement Plans,” Contributing Author, Buying and Selling a Business in Michigan, Second Edition, ICLE, November 2018
- New Edition Issued October 2022
- Coauthor, Retirement Plan Administration Guide, Chapter 5: Duties of Pension Plan Administrators, Bloomberg, 2021
- “Employee Benefit and Retirement Plans,” Contributing Author, Buying and Selling a Business in Michigan, Second Edition, ICLE, November 2018
- New Edition Issued October 2022