22nd Annual Employee Benefits Update 2026

  • Webcast seminar
  • OnDemand seminar
  • Employment Law
Up to 7.0 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
22nd Annual Employee Benefits Update 2026

Benefits law moves fast. This program moves faster.

Employee benefits law doesn’t stand still, and neither should your practice. The 22nd Annual Employee Benefits Update brings experienced practitioners together each year to work through the developments, rulings, and regulatory changes shaping how benefits are structured, administered, and litigated in Wisconsin and beyond.

You'll explore:

  • Corrections, filings, and dealings with administrative agencies: Guidance on navigating common compliance challenges and interactions with the agencies that govern employee benefit plans
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) update: An overview of ESOPs, why clients should consider them, how to navigate ESOP compliance, and current trends and hot topics
8:30 am
Corrections, Filings, and Dealings with Administrative Agencies

David Eckhardt

  • Initial response & risk assessment
  • Evaluate the inquiry, preserve privilege, and organize the response team
  • Handling IRS and DOL interactions
  • Key differences in agency focus, process, and communication strategies
  • Common issues and corrections
  • Frequent compliance failures and use of EPCRS and VFCP, and DOL investigations; identify key priorities of the agencies
  • Resolution and penalty mitigation
  • Negotiating outcomes, reducing penalties, and preparing for litigation
9:20 am
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Update

Rebecca Greene

  • Brief overview of ESOPs
  • Why consider an ESOP?
  • De-mystifying ESOP compliance
  • ESOP trends and hot topics
10:10 am
Break
10:25 am
Department of Labor Developments for Retirement Plans

Steven Grieb

  • Understand the implications of the proposed Investment Selection Rule for fiduciary processes
  • Help clients comply with changes to the Department of Labor’s electronic disclosure rules
  • Assist clients with Department of Labor audits pursuant to new Department of Labor enforcement policies (Field Assistance Bulletin 2026-01
11:15 am
Annual Executive Compensation Update

Martin P. Tierney

  • Department of Labor guidance on distinguishing between bonus plans and deferred compensation
  • Executive compensation case law update
  • Reminder: 162(m) aggregation rule effective 1/1/27
  • Pending legislation
12:05 pm
Lunch (On Your Own)
1:05 pm
Deal or No Deal: Key Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Issues in M&A Transactions

Kathleen D. Bardunias

  • Conducting employee benefits diligence: identifying key risks and how the structure of the transaction impacts ERISA liability
  • Drafting and negotiating purchase agreement provisions for employee benefits matters in the transaction
  • Managing executive compensation issues in an M&A transaction: equity awards, Code Sections 409A and 280G
  • Navigating 401(k) and other retirement plan treatment in an M&A transaction: plan terminations, mergers, and transition periods
  • Tackling post-closing employee benefits integration issues
1:55 pm
Retention by Design: Integrating Incentives with Restrictive Covenants

Mary Ellen Schill, Nicole Stangl, Morgan Sweeney

  • A practical overview of modern employee retention tools, including bonuses, deferred compensation, tuition assistance programs, and more!
  • Helpful analyses on how employers can ensure that restrictive covenants tied to retention benefits are enforceable.
  • Guidance on structuring agreements to withstand legal scrutiny while protecting business interests after employment ends.
2:45 pm
Break
3:00 pm
ERISA Case Law Update

John B. Tuffnell

  • Latest developments and trends
  • Discuss recent Supreme Court decisions
  • A discussion of Seventh Circuit decisions
  • Key takeaways for practitioners
3:50 pm
Program Concludes

Program Chair and Presenters

10 total
Michael W. Taibleson, Chair
Godfrey & Kahn S.C. · Milwaukee
Kathleen D. Bardunias
Foley & Lardner LLP · Milwaukee
David Eckhardt
Husch Blackwell LLP · Milwaukee
Rebecca Greene
Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren, S.C. · Milwaukee
Steven E. Grieb
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co · Rolling Meadows, IL
Mary Ellen Schill
Ruder Ware L.L.S.C. · Wausau
Nicole Stangl
Ruder Ware L.L.S.C. · Wausau
Morgan Sweeney
Ruder Ware L.L.S.C. · Wausau
Martin P. Tierney
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP · Milwaukee
John B. Tuffnell
Bentley Tuffnell Law, S.C. · Milwaukee

  • Break down the intricacies of ESOP compliance and weigh the pros and cons of ESOPs for your clients
  • Understand the implications of the proposed Investment Selection Rule for fiduciary processes
  • Help your clients comply with changes to the Department of Labor’s electronic disclosure rules and new enforcement policies
  • Stay current on executive compensation developments and their impact on plan design
  • Walk away with key ERISA case law takeaways you can apply to your practice
  • Employee benefits attorneys
  • Employment law practitioners
  • Insurance law practitioners
  • Business attorneys
  • In-house counsel
  • General practitioners

Book Bonus!

Wisconsin Employment Law
Save 25% on Wisconsin Employmant Law.* .* This comprehensive guide covers the full spectrum of private sector employment law in Wisconsin, providing practical guidance across hiring, discipline, termination, and compliance. Use discount code CA3979 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/27. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

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