Minor Plan Changes Can Help Employers Avoid Increased Litigation Risks, Say Pensions and Benefits Law Experts

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A remarkable range of new case law has occurred in the first half of 2011 with respect to executive compensation, non-competition agreements, and ERISA litigation. But minor changes to these plans could help employers avoid increased litigation risks, according to a new webinar from BNA Business & Legal entitled Global Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits in High Definition – Litigation Risk Management through Minor Plan Amendments.

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Presented by Stephen Harris, Eric Keller, and Mark Poerio, Employment Law partners at Paul Hastings, this September 15 webinar will focus on what changes employers could make to their ERISA plans and executive agreements in order either to protect against increased litigation risks or position to assert their rights under business protection agreements such as non-competes.

This 90-minute webinar will address:

• What increased ERISA litigation risks should employers expect given the Supreme Court's CIGNA v. Amara decision, and how may they mitigate those risks?
• Why should employers consider similarly-directed amendments to their non-qualified ERISA plans?
• What are the new case law developments concerning non-competes and forfeitures-for-competition? And how should employers react?
• What surprises have come from the first season of Say on Pay, and Say on Parachutes? And how should public companies change their approach?
• What should employers expect from the SEC and other regulators with respect to Dodd-Frank, Code section 162(m), and Code section 409A?

Webinar attendees are also eligible for CLE credit.

About the Speakers:

Stephen Harris is a partner in the Employment Law Department of Paul Hastings and co-chair of the department's ERISA and Employee Benefits practice. He devotes his practice to executive compensation, employee benefits, and workforce restructuring matters. Mr. Harris advises clients regarding plan design, administration, and fiduciary issues and represents clients in benefits litigation.

Eric Keller is a partner in the Paul Hastings Employment practice and represents clients in all aspects of executive compensation and employee benefits law. In this regard, he advises clients regarding tax, labor (including ERISA), financial accounting, securities, and litigation issues. He designs and prepares plan documents and participant communications, negotiates service-provider contracts, and assists clients in developing and operating efficient and prudent plan administration practices.

Mark Poerio is a partner in the Employment Law Department in the Washington D.C. office of Paul Hastings, and is a member of the American College of Employee Benefit Counsel. For 25 years, Mr. Poerio has been in private practice with a focus on executive compensation and employee benefit matters, especially from a business, governance, tax, and securities perspective. He works regularly and globally with every Paul Hastings office, and has significant pro bono representations relating to not-for-profit governance, executive compensation, and tax matters. Mr. Poerio is also an adjunct professor with the Georgetown Law School, where he designed and teaches both "Executive Pay and Loyalty" and "The Business and Securities Aspects of Executive Compensation."

About BNA Legal & Business Webinars

BNA's Legal & Business Webinars are designed for today's busy professionals. In just 90 minutes, you have access to in-depth coverage of an ever-changing array of current topics, including the latest trends and developments, new and revised laws and regulations, and legal principles and precedent. Get expert insights into compliance requirements, as well as authoritative and practical guidance on the issues that matter most to you and your clients.

With our webinar topics covering the broad spectrum of legal practice areas and corporate issues, from Intellectual Property to Privacy to Pensions & Benefits, you can count on BNA to bring you quality content on today's hottest topics. What's more, BNA's Legal & Business webinars are CLE/CPE eligible, making it easy to stay compliant with your continuing education needs.

SOURCE BNA