 Employee Benefits
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Damon & Morey attorneys have responded innovatively
to the changing employee benefits climate by bringing together
professionals experienced in law and benefit plan design, documentation
and administration. The result is a comprehensive employee benefit plan
service. The Firm’s strength is assisting clients in the design of
policies and procedures that reduce, to the maximum extent possible, the
liability risks inherent in the complex laws, regulations and court
decisions governing employee benefit plans.
The Firm’s attorneys represent plan sponsors,
trustees, financial service and investment advisory firms and third
party service providers. Damon & Morey attorneys possess substantial
experience in the design, documentation and management of benefit
programs for tax exempt employers. The Firm is capable of consulting on
the tax, compliance and funding issues unique to plans maintained by
these employers such as tax sheltered annuities (i.e., 403(b) programs),
flexible spending accounts and 457 plans.
The experience of Damon & Morey’s
employee benefits attorneys extends to the design, documentation and
administration of:
- compensation and benefit plans for key employees;
- qualified retirement plans such as 401(k) plans, defined benefit
plans and ESOPS; and
- ERISA-regulated welfare plans, such as cafeteria plans and
self-insured medical and dental plans.
Damon & Morey attorneys help
employers attract, motivate and retain key employees. If properly
designed, most non-qualified benefit plans are wholly exempt from the
complex maze of laws, regulations and judicial decisions that apply to
qualified retirement plans and other group benefit programs. Creative
planning in this area can significantly enhance an employer’s ability to
attract, motivate and retain its key people. Damon & Morey attorneys
regularly assist employers in designing and establishing special
arrangements for management employees, including stock option and
phantom stock plans, non-qualified 401(k) plans and supplemental
retirement plans.
Damon & Morey attorneys also help
employers design affordable retirement, health and benefit plans that
maximize benefits for owners and key employees, meet competitive
pressures and provide benefit choices for participants. The Firm
counsels clients with respect to the implementation of employee benefit
plans such as cafeteria plans, which allow employees the opportunity to
select the benefits most important to them and pay for personal health
and welfare expenses on a tax-effective basis.
Damon & Morey attorneys are
experienced in the development of policies and procedures designed to
control the liability risks associated with the complex set of laws,
regulations and judicial decisions governing employee benefit plans.
These services include:
- assistance in the development of self-audit and voluntary
compliance approaches;
- identification and resolution of issues arising in
multiple-company structures and merger and acquisition contexts;
- audit representation;
- assistance in resolving claims disputes; and
- COBRA consulting services.
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