Doug has over 25 years of experience in providing counsel to jointly-administered employee benefit funds established under collective bargaining agreements, as well as to a coalition of health funds. The clients he works with provide health and retirement benefits to thousands of workers and retirees.
Doug advises clients on all aspects of tax-qualified retirement and health plans, including plan design and administration, fiduciary matters, compliance with laws such as ERISA and the Affordable Care Act, and pension plan funding and withdrawal liability issues. Doug is responsive to clients’ day-to-day legal needs, such as addressing questions relating to eligibility and distributions, and issues involving the operation and the administration of these plans. Doug also monitors legal and legislative developments that could, or will, impact clients.During the course of his career at the firm, Doug has seen an explosion in the regulation of employee benefit funds, which creates potential pitfalls for clients. Therefore, Doug always keeps two primary items in mind: (i) insulating the client from potential liability to the extent possible; and (ii) meeting the client’s needs and goals within the bounds of the law. He strives to provide sound, practical and cost-effective legal advice that allows the client to navigate through ERISA’s complex regulations.Doug knows that each benefit fund client is different in that there are many players involved in making decisions, including union officials, company officers, client employees, investment, consulting and accounting experts, and governmental regulators. As interactions with these individuals and groups can range from very political to highly technical, Doug understands the true key is to listen to the issues at hand and provide clear answers in a timely manner.
Doug is a member of the firm’s Management Committee and Board of Directors. He also is the firm’s Privacy Officer, ensuring that the firm and its employees are compliant in securing and protecting sensitive client and firm information.
