Timothy P. Tim Brechtel
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
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Tim Brechtel is a partner in the Tax Practice Group. He counsels employers on tax and ERISA compliance issues relating to employee retirement, health, welfare, compensation, and other plans. Tim advises clients ranging from sole proprietorships to large, multinational corporations on establishing, administering, merging, and terminating qualified defined-contribution and defined-benefit retirement plans — such as 401(k) plans and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) — and nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements under Code Section 409A. He also provides guidance on health, cafeteria, severance, transportation, and other fringe-benefit plans, separation agreements, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts. A board-certified tax specialist as certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, he assists employers and employees with the income tax aspects of retirement, welfare, and deferred compensation plan benefits. In his counseling practice, Tim reviews plan documents for compliance with applicable laws. He regularly drafts plan documents, summary plan descriptions, participant communications, and plan policies and procedures. He helps employers and service providers establish appropriate safeguards and procedures for protecting health information in accordance with the privacy requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Tim conducts due diligence with regard to employee benefits issues in connection with merger and acquisition transactions, and assists with post-transaction benefits integration. He advises benefits committees and human resource personnel on fiduciary duty and prohibited transaction issues, including advice regarding the propriety of proposed transactions, and prepares applications to government agencies to avoid penalties and address compliance lapses. Tim began his career with the national accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. In addition to holding membership and leadership roles in various professional organizations, Tim is active in several local civic organizations, including St. Andrew the Apostle Church, where he is president of the Finance Council. Tim Brechtel is a partner in the Tax Practice Group. He counsels employers on tax and ERISA compliance issues relating to employee retirement, health, welfare, compensation, and other plans. Tim advises clients ranging from sole proprietorships to large, multinational corporations on establishing, administering, merging, and terminating qualified defined-contribution and defined-benefit retirement plans — such as 401(k) plans and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) — and nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements under Code Section 409A. He also provides guidance on health, cafeteria, severance, transportation, and other fringe-benefit plans, separation agreements, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts. A board-certified tax specialist as certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, he assists employers and employees with the income tax aspects of retirement, welfare, and deferred compensation plan benefits. In his counseling practice, Tim reviews plan documents for compliance with applicable laws. He regularly drafts plan documents, summary plan descriptions, participant communications, and plan policies and procedures. He helps employers and service providers establish appropriate safeguards and procedures for protecting health information in accordance with the privacy requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Tim conducts due diligence with regard to employee benefits issues in connection with merger and acquisition transactions, and assists with post-transaction benefits integration. He advises benefits committees and human resource personnel on fiduciary duty and prohibited transaction issues, including advice regarding the propriety of proposed transactions, and prepares applications to government agencies to avoid penalties and address compliance lapses. Tim began his career with the national accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. In addition to holding membership and leadership roles in various professional organizations, Tim is active in several local civic organizations, including St. Andrew the Apostle Church, where he is president of the Finance Council.
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011
Donald Ramos
Our company recently navigated a complex corporate restructuring that involved merging multiple legacy retirement and health plans. The tax and ERISA compliance hurdles were daunting, and the potential for costly missteps was significant. We engaged Tim Brechtel at Jones Walker based on his long-standing reputation in New Orleans. With nearly three decades of experience, his counsel was immediately invaluable. He possesses a rare, practical command of the intricate details of employee benefits law, which he clearly honed through his deep background in taxation. Tim didn't just identify risks; he provided clear, actionable pathways forward, ensuring our transition was seamless for our employees and fully compliant. His recognition as a multi-time 'Lawyer of the Year' in Employee Benefits is well-earned. Tim is a true partner—responsive, strategic, and exceptionally knowledgeable. We achieved a positive outcome without any regulatory issues, thanks entirely to his guidance. I would not hesitate to recommend him for any sophisticated benefits or executive compensation matter.
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