Distinctions · AV-rated, Martindale-Hubbell · The Best Lawyers in America®, Employee Benefits Law (since 1999) · Certified Public Accountant, 1981 · Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants' Silver Medal, 1981 Associations · American Bar Association
- Taxation Section
-- Employee Benefits Committee · Mississippi Bar
- Taxation Section · Capital Area Bar Association
- Community Grant Committee · Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Former Member, Board of Governors · National Center for Employee Ownership · University of Southern Mississippi Foundation
- Board of Directors
- Investment Committee Legal Experience · Representation of clients in all aspects of retirement plans - design, administration, compliance, taxation, employee communications, fiduciary responsiblity and defense of benefits claims. · Representation of clients before the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor in examinations, ruling applications and correction program filings. · Advise on benefit issues in merger and acquisition transactions - due dilligence, coordination and termination of benefit programs and correcting past deficiencies. · Representation of clients in all aspects of nonqualified deferred compensation plans - design, administration, compliance, document drafting and taxation. Papers, Presentations & Publications · "The Importance of Understanding and Monitoring Retirement Plan Fees and Expenses," Benefits Commentary, August 2011. · "The Department of Labor Fee Transparency Initiatives: Part 2 - Mandatory Service Provider Fee Disclosures," Benefits Brief, July 2011. · "Avoiding Tax Traps in Employment and Severance Agreements," Mississippi Employment Law Seminar, University of Mississippi, May 2011. · Co-Author, "The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (including COBRA)," Mississippi Employment Law Practice Handbook, 2009. · "Employee Benefits in an Uncertain Economy: Implementing Cost Saving Strategies and Other Administration Issues," Mississippi Employment Law Seminar (University of Mississippi; May 2009). · "What CPAs and Their Clients Should Know About Section 409A," Central Chapter of the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants (September 2008). · "Best Practices for Minimizing the Potential for Retirement Plan Fiduciary Liability," Benefits Commentary, July 2008. · "U.S. Supreme Court Permits Individual Lawsuits for Retirement Plan Fiduciary Breach," Benefits Brief, March 2008. · "The Section 415 Regulations on Post-Severance Compensation," Benefits Brief, February 2008. · "Plan Amendment Deadline Extended For Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Arrangements," Planning Notes, November 2007. · "The Coming Storm: Best Practices for Minimizing the Risk of Fiduciary Liability in Bank Trusteed Retirement Plans," Mississippi Bankers Association Trust Conference (November 2007). · "IRS and Treasury Department Issue Regulations on Section 409A of IRC," Planning Notes, August 2007. · "Best Practices for Minimizing the Potential for Retirement Plan Fiduciary Liability," Greater Memphis Employee Benefits Council (July 2007). · "New Regs Establish Deadline for Implementing Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan Changes," High Points, June 2007. · "Implications of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 for 2007 Plan Administration," Benefits Brief, December 2006. · "Methods to Contain Employee Benefits Costs," MetroJackson Chamber (August 2006). |