Employee Benefits Law Group

Guidance. More than just Legal Advice.®

Tax attorney in San Jose, CA (show on map)

Employee Benefits Law Group is a law firm specializing in ESOPs, retirement plans, and employee benefits counsel for ESOP companies, M&A transactions, and plan sponsors.

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About

Employee Benefits Law Group has specialized in employee benefits law since carving this niche in 1989. With a deep and diverse team of experts, the firm works to make clients' lives easier and improve outcomes in every aspect of employee benefits.

The firm listens, probes, and understands client challenges and objectives, asking questions that clients didn't know needed to be asked. Clients count on the firm to deliver solutions that become part of their company's overall success. The firm helps with tax-favored retirement plans, equity and compensation plans, and health and welfare plans, partnering with clients to guide them to employee benefit solutions that meet objectives and exceed expectations.

Over 37 years specializing exclusively in employee benefits law since 1989

Deep legal knowledge and consulting experience

ESOP Tax Advantage Calculator tool

Multi-state presence with 6 offices across the US

Advocating for clients with regulatory authorities in a positive way

Services

ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans)

Tailored employee stock ownership plans designed to meet specific client needs, from suitability and feasibility analysis through transactions, fiduciary representation, and terminations.

Suitability and feasibility analysis Client ESOP advisory team management Plan design and transactions Fiduciary representation IRS and DOL defense ESOP corporate governance ESOP Tax Advantage Calculator

Mergers & Acquisitions

Guidance on protecting buyers and sellers from employee benefits plan risk during M&A transactions, including benefits due diligence and practical solutions to avoid costly post-closing surprises.

Phased due diligence approach Underfunded pension plan assessment COBRA coverage analysis ACA compliance review Withdrawal liability guidance Plan eligibility corrections 409A deferred compensation review

Retirement Plans

Comprehensive retirement plan services including design, setup, improvement, and compliance assessment for 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), defined benefit, and cash balance plans.

401(k) plans 403(b) tax-sheltered annuities 457(b) and 457(f) plans Defined benefit pension plans Cash balance plans DB/DC combo plans Charter school plans Church plans Corrective compliance (EPCRS) Fiduciary compliance

Equity & Executive Compensation

Design, drafting, and implementation of competitive compensation plans including stock options, phantom stock, SARs, nonqualified deferred compensation, SERPs, and 457 plans.

Nonqualified stock options (NSOs/NQSOs) Incentive stock options (ISOs) Restricted stock arrangements Phantom stock plans Stock appreciation rights (SARs) Nonqualified deferred compensation Rabbi trusts SERPs Change in control/severance arrangements 457(b) and 457(f) plans Employment agreements

Health & Welfare Plans

Management of the entire spectrum of employee welfare benefits including major medical plans, dental, vision, FSAs, HRAs, life insurance, disability, cafeteria plans, and ACA compliance.

Major medical plans (fully insured/self-insured) Dental, vision, prescription plans Medical expense reimbursement plans (MERPs) Health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) Cafeteria/flex plans Group-term life insurance Disability benefits Retiree health plans Educational assistance programs ACA compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Employee Benefits Law Group offer? +

Employee Benefits Law Group offers ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans), Mergers & Acquisitions guidance, Retirement Plans (including 401(k), 403(b), 457 plans), Equity & Executive Compensation (stock options, phantom stock, SARs), and Health & Welfare Plans.

What is an ESOP and how can Employee Benefits Law Group help? +

An ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) is a qualified retirement plan that invests primarily in employer stock. The firm provides guidance through the entire ESOP process including suitability analysis, plan design, transactions, fiduciary representation, and IRS/DOL defense.

How does Employee Benefits Law Group help with M&A transactions? +

The firm brings specialized experience in benefits due diligence to protect buyers and sellers from employee benefits plan risk. They focus on real, big picture risks and work with deal counsel to efficiently quantify benefit plan risks and offer practical solutions to correct issues.

What retirement plan types does the firm support? +

The firm supports a wide array of retirement plans including 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) and 457(f), defined benefit pension plans, cash balance plans, DB/DC combo plans, profit sharing plans, and Simplified Employee Pensions (SEPs).

What is the ESOP Tax Advantage Calculator? +

The ESOP Tax Advantage Calculator is a tool that shows the real-world impact of ESOP tax advantages for a user's situation, providing quick, clear insights into tax savings and benefits in about five minutes.

Does the firm assist with health and welfare benefit compliance? +

Yes, the firm helps with ACA compliance, plan design, plan documents, summary plan descriptions, nondiscrimination requirements, reporting, domestic partner taxation, COBRA, and plan termination for health and welfare benefits.

What types of equity compensation plans does the firm design? +

The firm designs various equity compensation plans including nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock arrangements, phantom stock plans, stock appreciation rights, rabbi trusts, and supplemental executive retirement plans (SERPs).

Where are Employee Benefits Law Group's offices located? +

The firm has offices in Sacramento (Gold River, CA), San Jose (CA), Phoenix (AZ), Los Angeles (CA), San Diego (CA), and Columbus (OH).