Practice Areas & Industries: Akerman Senterfitt

Practice/Industry Group Overview

The size of our employee benefits section - one of Florida's largest - is a direct result of the firm's substantial involvement in M&A and other securities transactions. Our Employee Benefits attorneys will often be involved at the due diligence phase of an acquisition, in order to identify potential liabilities in any qualified or non-qualified plans and to evaluate 401(k)'s and profit sharing arrangements. Just as importantly, we will advise when it is necessary to redesign plans, which in many cases will improve the profitability of the deal, while in others will make it feasible.

Services Available

Because we serve many of Florida's largest companies, we understand the issues involved in even the most complex benefits situations. Our expertise covers all forms of welfare benefits: stock options, healthcare, life insurance, COBRA, executive bonuses, disability, rabbi trusts, and more. We understand how and when to merge acquired plans with legacy plans, as well as when to design complete welfare and cafeteria packages de novo.

In addition, and to assist in the effective ongoing administration of benefits programs, we pursue a high degree of personal contact with our clients' HR departments.

Our employee benefits section is a resource not only for the corporate practice, but also serves clients in matters related to litigation - (frequently in regard to labor and ERISA issues), to real estate - (since investment dollars frequently come from pension funds), and to bankruptcy for 401(k) and other retirement benefit issues.

Clients:
United States Sugar Corporation, City of Boca Raton, Iberia Airlines of Spain , Mastec, Inc., Sheridan Healthcare, Inc., Associated Grocers of Florida, Mitchell Wolfson Sr. Foundation, University of Miami, Kellstrom Industries, Republic Services, Inc., SBA Communications, The Wackenhut Corporation