Employee Benefits Attorneys - Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

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The following areas reflect our core employee benefits capabilities and most frequently requested services. Our experience extends beyond what is outlined below. Connect with our team to learn more about our full range of employee benefits legal services.

Retirement plans
Employee benefits litigation
Pensions
Fiduciary governance
Tax qualified plans
Non-qualified plans
Deferred compensation
409A
Executive compensation
ESOPs
Nonprofit and government benefit plans
Health and welfare benefit work
Privacy and cybersecurity
Multi-employer benefit plans
Withdrawal liability
De-risking
Pension termination
Health Care Reform Act
HIPAA

We design and support a full spectrum of retirement plans, including 401(k), 403(b), 457 and profit-sharing plans, as well as defined benefit plans, including cash balance and hybrid arrangements.

As experienced pension plan attorneys, we maintain deep expertise in an area where knowledgeable counsel is increasingly difficult to find. We advise clients on plan design, administration and compliance, as well as de-risking strategies and plan termination, including complex multiemployer plan obligations and withdrawal liability exposure.

Employers, third-party administrators, and investment advisors and other fiduciaries are among our clients. We also have an insurance litigation group with many years of experience representing policyholders.

We help employers manage the expanding regulatory demands tied to health and welfare benefit plans, including Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance, COBRA administration, leave coordination and reporting obligations.

Our team drafts and updates plan documents and summary plan descriptions, identifies and resolves compliance gaps and negotiates agreements with third-party administrators, insurers and other vendors, helping reduce risk and strengthen plan governance.

We also provide comprehensive HIPAA compliance support, including policy development, workforce training, breach response, regulatory investigations and business associate agreement negotiation.

We design and implement executive compensation arrangements that balance competitiveness, tax efficiency and compliance. Our experience includes equity and non-equity incentives, deferred compensation, bonus structures, severance arrangements and employment agreements.

We regularly advise on IRC Section 409A compliance, Section 162(m) considerations and SEC-related requirements, helping organizations structure programs that attract and retain leadership while aligning with business and strategic objectives.

Warner is a recognized leader in ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) law, with more ESOPs established than any other law firm in Michigan. Our team has decades of experience advising on ESOP transactions across industries and ownership structures.

We guide clients through every stage of the ESOP lifecycle, from initial evaluation and transaction structuring to implementation and ongoing administration, supporting succession planning, shareholder liquidity and capital strategy objectives.

These articles provide additional information on the benefits of ESOPs:

We represent employers, fiduciaries and plan administrators in ERISA litigation, benefit claims, fiduciary disputes and regulatory enforcement actions. Our team is experienced in navigating complex disputes involving plan interpretation, fiduciary obligations and compliance with evolving regulatory standards.

While many matters can be resolved before reaching litigation, we are prepared to defend clients when necessary, bringing a strategic, business-focused approach to protecting plan assets, minimizing disruption and managing organizational risk.

Nonprofit and governmental employers operate under distinct regulatory frameworks that require a tailored approach to benefit plan design and administration. From navigating unique plan structures to managing overlapping state and federal requirements, these organizations face complexities that differ significantly from the private sector.

We advise hospitals, universities, religious institutions, municipalities and other nonprofit organizations on designing and maintaining benefit programs that attract and retain talent, ensure compliance and support long-term financial sustainability.

Best Lawyers in America®:
- Anthony J. Kolenic Jr., Mary Jo Larson, Heidi A. Lyon, Justin W. Stemple, Jennifer Watkins and Lisa B. Zimmer
- Lisa B. Zimmer awarded Employee Benefits Lawyer of the Year
Super Lawyers (Detroit-based):
- Mary Jo Larson, Jennifer Watkins and Lisa B. Zimmer
Chambers USA:
- Warner’s Employee Benefits Practice Group has received the highest ranking (Band 1) over 20 consecutive years
- Our employee benefits attorneys are individually ranked: Mary Jo Larson, Heidi A. Lyon, Justin W. Stemple, Jennifer Watkins and Lisa B. Zimmer
DBusiness “Top Lawyers” (Detroit-based):
- Mary Jo Larson, Jennifer A. Watkins and Lisa B. Zimmer
Crain’s Business Grand Rapids (formerly MiBiz):
- Justin W. Stemple received the 2023 Dealmaker of the Year
Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel:
- Mary Jo Larson and Heidi A. Lyon

Strengths Snapshot

Qualified Retirement + Pension Plans

Health, Welfare + HIPAA

Executive Compensation

ESOPs

Mergers + Acquisitions Benefits Support

Fiduciary Governance

Cybersecurity

Litigation + Dispute Resolution

Nonprofit + Government Benefit Plans

Honors + Awards

Videos and Podcasts

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