Jeff leverages his experience as a certified public accountant in one of the nation’s largest accounting firms to advise clients on ERISA and employee benefits and tax and compensation planning.
Overview
Jeff advises employers on ERISA and employee benefits, including qualified and nonqualified pension and profit sharing plans, ESOPS, welfare and fringe benefit plans. He also counsels executives and owners of closely held businesses on tax and compensation planning.
Jeff offers a rare combination of business, legal and technical skills. In addition to his work for employers, he provides technical support and advice to insurance and financial advisors and consultants, as well as third-party administrators of pension and welfare plans. He is a prolific writer and lecturer when it comes to health care reform, retirement plan design and executive compensation, and is the former editor and contributing author of the American Chamber of Commerce’s Employers Survival Guide: Minnesota and Federal Employment Law Manual.
Experience
Jeff provides counsel and insight regarding tax, employee benefits, executive compensation and ESOPS to individual executives, private businesses and nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations.
His clients appreciate his keen understanding and ability to explain fiduciary rules and responsibilities to administrators of pension and welfare plans.
Jeff closely follows developments in health care reform, sharing insights as he counsels and advises clients regarding the Affordable Care Act and establishment of Association Health Plans and how to prepare for possible policy changes.
Jeff has held leadership roles in the Minnesota State Bar Association Employee Benefits Section, Minnesota State Chamber of Commerce, the Minneapolis Rotary Club and Foundation, and is currently a volunteer attorney with Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV), which aids homeless veterans and their families, and those at risk of homelessness, by providing housing, employment and legal services.
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
"Mergers & Acquisitions and Controlled & Affiliate Service Groups," ASPPA Benefits Council, Greater Twin Cities, June 2018
"Unpacking the New Fiduciary Rules," Midwest Pension Conference, June 2016
"Reshuffle, Rebalance, Repurchase," National ESOP Association Midwest Conference, September 2015
"ESOP Update," Panelist, Midwest Pension Conference, September 2015
"Questions and Answers on 401(k) Plans," Expert Panel, 401(k) Summit 401(k) Plan Professionals, Annual Fiduciary Update, October 2015
"Section 3(16) Administrators," Minnesota Fiduciary Roundtable, February 2014
"Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Getting Ready for 2014," Management Accountants (ACA) Program, April 2013
"Pension Litigation, Stopping Short of the Fiscal Cliff and Legislative Proposals," Twin Cities Chapter of ISCEBS Annual Contemporary Issues In Employee Benefits Seminar, April 2013
"IRS Circular 230 Disclosure," The Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business, March 2013
"IRS/DOL Corrective Actions," DC Advisors, March 2013
Publications
Benefits Notes blog (http://benefitsnotes.com/). View all posts from Jeff.
Recognitions
Recognitions
Named among The Best Lawyers in America and recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" in 2017 in Employee Benefits Law
Listed among The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law for over 15 years
Inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, 2016
Consistently selected for inclusion in SuperLawyers®
Rated one of the Top Rated - AV® Preeminent™ Lawyers in Taxation Law by Martindale-Hubbell
Emeritus member, Great Lakes Area Tax Exempt/Government Entities (TE/GE) Council
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Minnesota Society of CPAs
National and Minnesota Chapters of ESOP Association, Midwest Pension Conference, National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO)
American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region, Member of the Board of Directors
Minnesota State Bar Association, Advisory Council of the Employee Benefits Section, Past Member, 1991-2000, President and Chair, 1999-2000
American Bar Association, Tax Section; Employee Benefits Committee; Real Property; Trust and Probate Section; ESOP Subcommittee
Minnesota State Chamber of Commerce, Secretary/Treasurer, 2004-2007
Minnesota Advisory Committee, Upper Midwest Pension Rights Project, 1994-Present
Minnesota State Chamber Business Services Inc., Past Chair, Board of Directors
Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Former Trustee, Member of Audit and Finance Committee and Chair of the Board's first Compliance Committee
Minneapolis Rotary Club #9 (downtown), Past Vice President, Treasurer and Board Member
Minneapolis Rotary Foundation, Past Vice President and Board Member
Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV), Volunteer Attorney
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 1992
- United States Tax Court, 1992
Education
Mitchell Hamline School of Law, J.D., 1981
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, B.B.A., 1976
