ERISA: The Evolving World 2014

August 4-5, 2014, New York City

DAY ONE

8:30 Opening Remarks and Introduction

Andrew L. Gaines and Andrew L. Oringer

8:45 Overview of ERISA Fundamentals, and Tax Qualified Plans

A. ERISA Fundamentals – an Overview

· What is ERISA – regulatory overview

· What does it regulate

· What types of plans are covered

· What type of plans are not covered

· Fiduciary structure

Joseph R. Simone

B. Introduction to Tax-Qualified Plans

· Qualified plan v. nonqulified plan

· Overview of tax incentives for qualified plans

· General qualification requirements

· Historical categories – pension/profit sharing/stock bonus/money purchase

· Defined contribution v. defined benefit

· Pension plans under ERISA

Robert C. Fleder

10:15 Networking Break

10:30 Eligibility, Coverage, Vesting, Distributions

A. Eligibility, Coverage, Participation and Nondiscrimination

· Eligibility and Coverage Standards

· Minimum participation

· Nondiscrimination

David M. Glaser

B. Vesting

· Vesting standards

· Special rules for defined contribution plans

· Special rules for plan terminations

Jed W. Brickner

C. Distribution Requirements

· Forms of distribution

· Timing of distributions

· Tax Consequences

Susan E. Bernstein

12:15 Lunch

1:15 401(k) Plan Fundamentals, Title IV Defined Benefit Plans, and Fiduciary Responsibility and Prohibited Transactions

A. 401(k) Fundamentals

· Basic design features

· Special nondiscrimination rules

· Special distributuion rules

Leonard S. Hirsh, Serena G. Simons

B. Title IV—Defined Benefit Plans: Design Funding, the PBGC, Plan Terminations and Multiemployer Plans

· Basics of defined benefit plans

· Integration

· PBGC

· Minimum funding requirements

· Plan terminations

· Multiemployer plans

Bruce Cadenhead

C. Fiduciary Responsibilities/Prohibited Transactions

· Fiduciary standard of conduct/prudence

· Trust and custody requirements; bonding; indemnification and insurance

· Fiduciary structure/committees

· Plan assets

· Prohibited transactions

Ira G. Bogner, Arthur H. Kohn, Patrick S. Menasco, John W. Schuch

4:00 Networking Break

4:15 Executive Compensation/Nonqualified Deferred Compensation/SERPs

· Types of plans and programs

· Employment agreements

· Section 409A/Section 83

Regina Olshan, Charmaine L. Slack

5:15 Adjourn

DAY TWO

8:30 Determination Letters/IRS and DOL Correction Programs; Reporting and Disclosure

A. Determination Letters/IRS and DOL Correction Programs

· Determination letters – application process and effect of a favorable letter

· IRS and DOL voluntary correction programs

· Special rules for master and prototype plans and volume submitter plans

Kenneth A. Raskin

B. Reporting and Disclosure

· Annual Form 5500 reports

· SPDs and SMMs

· Claims Procedure

Jeffrey Ross

9:30 Employer Securities in Qualified Plans

· ESOPs

· 401(k) Plans

· Litigation

William E. Ryan

10:15 Networking Break

10:30 ERISA Litigation

· Claims litigation

· Preemption cases

· Other recent Supreme Court precedent

· Fiduciary and other class action litigation

Allison Millie Warner, Wendy Schick Dougall, Denise V. Zamore

11:30 The M&A Transactional Practice

· Types of transactions

· Due diligence

· Representations and warranties

· Covenants

· Indemnities

· Executive compensation

· Practical considerations

Brian D. Robbins, Michael J. Segal, Elizabeth Pagel Serebransky

12:30 Lunch

1:30 A Grab-Bag of Additional Considerations – Welfare Plans and Health Care Reform, Bankruptcy, Accounting, Employment and Labor Laws and Ethics

· Welfare plans and health reform

· ERISA related Bankruptcy considerations

· Accounting Considerations

· Employment and labor laws

· Ethical considerations

Philip E. Deitch, Steven J. Friedman, Marissa Holob, Shannon L. Rushing, Martha N. Steinman

3:30 Networking Break

3:45 Other Perspectives – The Smaller Firm and Inside Counsel – And ERISA in the Headlines

A. Other Perspectives – the Smaller Firm and In-house Counsel

· The world outside of big law firms

· Sole practitioners and other small firms

· Special considerations for inside counsel

Adam E. Faber, Elana L. Krieger

B. ERISA in the Headlines

· Legislative developments

· Regulatory developments

· Litigation

Andrew L. Gaines, Andrew L.Oringer

5:00 Adjourn