Employee Benefits

Employee benefit plans are governed by a complex and ever-changing set of state and federal statutes, regulations and procedures. The Allen Matkins Employee Benefits Practice Group advises employers with respect to this complex area of law in a manner that is understandable and cost effective. We also have substantial experience on the impact of corporate mergers and acquisitions on benefit plans.

Qualified Retirement Plans

The firm's employee benefits attorneys design, draft and assist with daily administration of retirement plans in compliance with the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA including pension plans, 401(k) plans and profit-sharing plans. Our attorneys have extensive experience advising employers with respect to employee benefit issues that arise in connection with corporate mergers and acquisitions, including vesting, funding and distribution requirements.

Health & Welfare Plans

In the area of health and welfare plans, our attorneys design, draft and assist with day-to-day administration of medical coverage plans, cafeteria plans, disability plans, as well as a variety of other welfare benefits plans. The firm's experience in mergers and acquisitions extends to the welfare plan arena, where significant issues arise with respect to continuing obligations to provide medical benefits to former employees, and compliance with legal requirements imposed on self-funded medical plans, including the HIPAA, COBRA and ADA.

Executive Compensation

Allen Matkins also represents employers in connection with the design and drafting of deferred compensation arrangements for managerial and executive employees. Such arrangements include stock-based, as well as cash-based deferred compensation, and plans designed to protect executives in the event of a change in control of the employer.

Audits/Litigation

Our attorneys have successfully represented numerous employers in matters pending before the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor, including audits by such agencies and ruling requests initiated on behalf of our clients. The Benefits Department also has achieved outstanding results providing substantive guidance with respect to cases in litigation.