FIRM PROFILE

Creativity, passion, and dedication
toward
the achievement of our clients' objectives

 

The ERISA Law Group, P.A. was founded by Jeffery Mandell and established on May 1, 2001. Mr. Mandell has limited his practice exclusively to ERISA since 1982. The firm strives to provide the highest quality of ERISA legal services. Our primary focus is two-fold:

    • To solve our clients' employee benefit problems.
    • To achieve our clients' employee benefit objectives.

With an understanding of the parameters of the law, we seek to find and create opportunities for our clients. We pride ourselves in resolving complex problems, and in securing favorable settlements with the government in the face of considerable risks and losses.

We help our clients maintain their benefit plans in compliance with ERISA's numerous, ever-changing requirements. Toward that end, our work involves frequent ongoing representation before the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor.

We are proactive - recognizing, and saving our clients from, the harm that besets employers that are not on top of this fluid legal terrain.

The culture of the firm is rigorous and demanding with respect to our work product, but we do so in an informal and down-to-earth style that a small law firm allows. We expect continued growth, adding attorneys and staff, to meet demand for our services.

Firm History and Configuration

Having practiced in large blue-chip law firms in several cities throughout the country (Houston; Chicago; Madison, Wisconsin; and Boise), and as a partner heading up their ERISA practices, Mr. Mandell concluded that he would more effectively serve his clients within his own law firm. This has proven to be true. The limited specialization of an ERISA practice lends itself to a boutique law firm where we harness only the resources we need.

The firm from time to time calls upon outside counsel and related providers, such as actuaries, when the need arises for one or more projects. This allows The ERISA Law Group to most effectively and efficiently service our clients.

Firm Clientele

The firm represents a broad range of clients. The common thread among clients is their desire to receive correct and high quality services while recognizing the harsh complexities inherent in ERISA matters. Clients generally appreciate the significant risks associated with employee benefits, and that the highest degree of legal specialization is necessary to meet clients' objectives and avoid unintended, adverse tax and other consequences. Many clients first utilize our firm to correct potentially severe plan problems, and then continue as clients to ensure ongoing compliance.

Clients include employers of all kinds, including for example, small physician practices to the large clinic or hospital, tax-exempt organizations, governments and government entities, other professionals and businesses seeking ERISA counsel, and small to large companies with national and international businesses. We represent many of the largest and most recognized employers in the Treasure Valley.

Sampling of Representative Matters

    • Ongoing ERISA compliance for all types of plans, including plan design, drafting and obtaining Internal Revenue Service approval.

    • Plan establishment, amendment, and plan life-event changes.

    • Mergers and Acquisitions - Advise companies with respect to pension, cafeteria plan, and other employee benefit issues that arise in corporate transactions.

    • Nonqualified deferred compensation plans, top-hat and rabbi trusts. Provide counseling, design, drafting and offer advise for these arrangments, which is particularly acute under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.

    • Government Intervention and Correction - Advise plan sponsors, third-party administrators (TPAs), and others when plans fail to comply with legal requirements. Negotiate with the IRS and Department of Labor and/or take other remedial action to minimize losses and protect against adverse consequences.

    • Fiduciary Counseling, Department of Labor Compliance Matters - Advise employers and institutions regarding their responsibilities and opportunities under ERISA, enabling companies to ward off problems before they occur.
    • Welfare Plan Arrangements - Counsel clients with respect to health, cafeteria, HRA, medical expense and other welfare benefit plans, with respect to both ERISA Title I and tax considerations.

    • Multiple Benefit Structures - Provide advice regarding different benefit structures for different groups, divisions or employees and necessary IRS testing to accomplish objectives.

    • Third-Party Administrator Consulting - Advise and provide forms, documents and testing materials, and ongoing consulting and training services to TPAs for § 401(k) plans, § 125 cafeteria plans, health and pension plans.

    • Tax-Exempt Organizations and Governmental Entities - Counsel these organizations with respect to the unique laws (for example, IRC § 457 and § 403(b)) applicable to their plans.

    • Professional Employer Organizations - Advise staff leasing and contingent workforce companies on complex employer-employee plan questions requiring practical resolution.

    • ERISA Tax Planning for Businesses - Advise employers (large and small including physicians, lawyers, and other professionals and closely held companies) on ways to creatively structure plans to maximize and/or tailor benefits and minimize taxes.
    • Litigation Support - Provide expertise, advice and counseling to clients and attorneys involved in ERISA related litigation.

    • Estate / Tax / Divorce Planning - Advise executives, business owners, and other individuals with substantial plan assets regarding options to minimize tax liability and provide for intended beneficiaries, taking into account spousal rights to benefits. Provide guidance, tax planning and documents to divide plan benefits pursuant to divorce.

 

 

 
© 2006 The ERISA Law Group, P.A. All Rights Reserved.