Jeffrey J. Bakker
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
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Jeffrey J. Bakker provides strategic counsel to clients nationwide concerning every executive compensation and employee benefit matter that affects their businesses, including designing and preparing deferred compensation and equity compensation plans, maintaining ERISA and tax compliance for all qualified and nonqualified retirement plans (defined contribution, defined benefit and cash balance plans) and representing clients in Department of Labor benefits plan audits.Jeff regularly advises clients regarding their critical fiduciary responsibilities in connection with the administration of employee benefit plans and provides valuable strategic advice to clients and other attorneys regarding the employee benefits aspects of corporate transactions. As part of his executive compensation practice, Jeff also frequently negotiates and prepares employment and separation agreements.Jeff has been recognized as a leader by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, recommended in “Labor & Employment: Benefits & Compensation” since 2010. Jeff has been included in The Legal 500 United States editorials (recommended in "Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation") since 2014, where he is described as “fantastic, responsive and has really good business sense. He is always at the top of his game.” He has also been selected by his peers since 2012 for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers. Jeffrey J. Bakker provides strategic counsel to clients nationwide concerning every executive compensation and employee benefit matter that affects their businesses, including designing and preparing deferred compensation and equity compensation plans, maintaining ERISA and tax compliance for all qualified and nonqualified retirement plans (defined contribution, defined benefit and cash balance plans) and representing clients in Department of Labor benefits plan audits.Jeff regularly advises clients regarding their critical fiduciary responsibilities in connection with the administration of employee benefit plans and provides valuable strategic advice to clients and other attorneys regarding the employee benefits aspects of corporate transactions. As part of his executive compensation practice, Jeff also frequently negotiates and prepares employment and separation agreements.Jeff has been recognized as a leader by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, recommended in “Labor & Employment: Benefits & Compensation” since 2010. Jeff has been included in The Legal 500 United States editorials (recommended in "Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation") since 2014, where he is described as “fantastic, responsive and has really good business sense. He is always at the top of his game.” He has also been selected by his peers since 2012 for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers. Jeffrey J. Bakker provides strategic counsel to clients nationwide concerning every executive compensation and employee benefit matter that affects their businesses, including designing and preparing deferred compensation and equity compensation plans, maintaining ERISA and tax compliance for all qualified and nonqualified retirement plans (defined contribution, defined benefit and cash balance plans) and representing clients in Department of Labor benefits plan audits. Jeff regularly advises clients regarding their critical fiduciary responsibilities in connection with the administration of employee benefit plans and provides valuable strategic advice to clients and other attorneys regarding the employee benefits aspects of corporate transactions. As part of his executive compensation practice, Jeff also frequently negotiates and prepares employment and separation agreements. Jeff has been recognized as a leader by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, recommended in “Labor & Employment: Benefits & Compensation” since 2010.
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010
Deborah Sanchez
Jeffrey Bakker handled a complex executive compensation plan restructuring for our hospitality group. His deep knowledge of ERISA law and his 28 years of experience, particularly in the leisure and hospitality sector, were evident. The legal work was solid and strategically sound. However, the experience was somewhat mixed. While he is clearly recognized in his field, response times were occasionally slower than expected, and some communications lacked the clarity we needed for our internal stakeholders. For straightforward, high-level counsel he is reliable, but for matters requiring frequent updates and detailed explanations, you may need to set very clear expectations upfront.