Akerman is involved in creating and advising on virtually all types of qualified plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and the different types of trusts used to fund those benefits.

Our lawyers routinely provide counsel on the design and implementation of executive compensation programs. We also work with our Tax lawyers to advise clients with respect to audits of benefit plans by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Labor (DOL), the implementation of and termination of plans, and supplementing retirement benefits through the use of charitable trusts, insurance planning, and other techniques. We devote considerable time and effort assisting our clients in avoiding ERISA litigation by streamlining their retirement and health and benefit plan documentation, administration, and claims review procedures. In the event litigation cannot be avoided, Akerman assists clients in all aspects of ERISA litigation, including representing employers accused of terminating employees prior to attaining retirement benefits.

Counsel a range of clients, from closely held businesses to global corporations, in employee benefits and ERISA litigation

Involved in creating virtually all types of qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, and the different types of trusts used to fund those benefits

Advise clients with respect to audits of benefit plans by the IRS and the DOL, the implementation of and termination of plans, and supplementing retirement benefits through the use of charitable trusts, insurance planning, and other techniques

Assist clients with a wide array of employee benefit plan and program issues, including with the design and implementation of, and compliance tasks related to, qualified retirement plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and health and welfare employee benefit plans

Provide counsel on the design and implementation of executive compensation programs

Answer day-to-day administrative, tax, and compliance questions from human resources and benefits professionals related to complex employee benefits programs, and advise on the specific employee benefits issues involved in our clients' hiring, layoff, and employee discipline situations

Design employment agreements and/or separation agreements that contemplate and capitalize on important employee benefits features, particularly with regard to golden parachute planning, Code Section 409A deferred compensation compliance/avoidance strategies, COBRA continuation coverage issues, and Code Section 125 cafeteria plan features

Provide important ERISA fiduciary guidance for benefit plan sponsors

Conduct effective regulatory audits of all types of benefits plans, as well as provide guidance on the appropriate use of various IRS or DOL voluntary regulatory compliance resolution programs

Analyze health and welfare plans funded either through general assets or by group policies of insurance for compliance with healthcare reform legislation as well as various other federal laws and regulations impacting those plans, including COBRA and HIPAA

Review internal audits of health and welfare plans, including cafeteria plans, to satisfy plan documentation and disclosure and reporting obligations

Regularly represent clients before the IRS and the DOL on compliance and disclosure requirements of health and welfare plans

"This trusted labor and employment practice is active in class actions and collective bargaining, and is also a major player in whistle-blower, wage and hour, noncompete and discrimination suits." (Chambers USA)

U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized in the national Employment Law – Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation – Labor & Employment, and Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law categories

The Legal 500: Ranked as one of the leading Immigration law firms in the U.S.

Chambers USA: Ranked as one of the leading Labor & Employment law firms in Florida since 2003

Daily Business Review: Recognized as Litigation Department of the Year in the Labor & Employment category