Howard J. Levine is a partner in, and chair of, the firm's Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Practice Group. He focuses his practice on pension, profit sharing and 401(k) plans, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), executive employment agreements and nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, equity and non-equity based executive incentive plans, the employee benefits aspects of corporate acquisitions, divestitures, and reductions in force and ERISA governance and fiduciary matters.
In the ESOP area, Howard has extensive experience representing plan sponsors, selling shareholders and independent trustees in the design, implementation, operation and termination of ESOPs. He also counsels clients in connection with the sale of ESOP companies and in the use of ESOPs as an acquisition tool.
In the area of executive compensation, Howard advises clients on the implementation and operation of equity compensation arrangements, including stock options, restricted shares, restricted share units and phantom stock plans. He also advises clients with respect to all aspects of nonqualified deferred compensation plans, including Code Section 409A compliance, executive employment and separation agreements, Code Section 162(m) issues and golden parachutes.
Howard is recognized as one of Chambers USA's "Leaders in their Field" for Employee Benefits (2008-2011), and has been named a "Super Lawyer" in the field of Employment and Labor, Employee Benefits/ERISA by Chicago magazine (2007-2011).
Professional & Civic Associations
· National Association of Stock Plan Professionals
· ESOP Association
· National Center for Employee Ownership
· Profit Sharing 401(k) Council of America
· Chicago Compensation Association
Publications
10/31/2007, Department of Labor Issues Long-Awaited Guidance on Defined Contribution Plan Default Investments
Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Client Memorandum
Howard Levine
5/31/2005, Roth 401(k)s Provide Employees New Plan Alternative in 2006
Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Client Memorandum
Howard Levine
7/18/2003, Executive Compensation Update
Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Newsletter
Troy Calkins, Howard Levine, Kimberly Rubel
Speaking Engagements
9/29/2011, National Center for Employee Ownership
"Using ESOPs as an Acquisition Strategy"
Howard Levine, Chicago, IL
5/27/2010, National Center for Employee Ownership
"Section 409A and Equity Compensation Plans"
Howard Levine, San Francisco, CA
2/4/2009, Chicago Compensation Association
"Recent Developments in Employee Benefit Law"
Howard Levine, Chicago, IL
9/8/2008, Insurance Industry Executive Compensation Group Annual Meeting
"Section 409A Update - Transitioning to the Final Regulations"
Howard Levine, Chicago, IL
5/1/2007, Chicago Compensation Association's (CCA) Special Briefing
"Final Rules on IRC Section 409A"
Howard Levine, Chicago, IL
5/17/2006, Employee Benefits Breakfast Briefing
Roth 401(k) Plans
Howard Levine