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MSBA Employee Benefits Section
2005-06 | 2004-05 | 1996-97
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EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECTION
2005-2006 Annual Report
Brad Keil, Chair

Council Meetings:
The Section held regular Advisory Council meetings on a variety of topics.
Committee Accomplishments:

CLE Programs:
The Section sponsored the 2006 Annual Advanced Employee Benefits Seminar and an annual Spring Seminar on the impact of employee benefit plans on corporate financial statements.

Newsletters:
Pro Bono Programs:

Legislative Developments:
The Section worked with the Family Law Section on proposed changes to Minnesota Statutes regarding domestic relations orders.

Bylaw Revisions:
Bylaws were amended to reflect input from MSBA staff. The amendments were approved at the Section's annual business meeting in May.

Social Events:
Community Projects:
The Section made a $250 contribution to the MSBA Mock Trial Program to help pay expenses for South High, the Minnesota champion, to attend the national mock trial competition in Oklahoma City. The Section also made a $250 contribution to the Pension Rights Project.

Section Sponsored Awards:
Law Student Outreach:
Membership/Recruitment:
E-mail Discussion Lists:
Finances:
Dues for 2006-2007 will remain $15.

Annual Meeting and Election of New Officers:
Chair: Douglas Heffernan, Faegre & Benson, LLP
Vice-Chair: Jude Carluccio, Parsinen, Kaplan, Rosberg & Gotlieb, P.A.
Secretary: John Merkle, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Treasurer: Catherine Rudenick, Wells Fargo & Co.

Other Members:
John Nichols, Gray Plant Mooty Mooty and Bennett, PA
Leslie Anderson, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP
Wendy Bunnell, Halleland Lewis Nilan & Johnson, P.A.
Tim Zellmer, General Mills
Pam Thein, Oppenheimer Wolff &Donnelly LLP
Brad Keil, Past Chair & MSBA Assembly Representative for 2006 - 2007

Employee Benefits Section
2004-2005 Annual Report
Bob Seng, Chair

Council Meetings:
Section held regular Advisory Council meetings on a variety of topics.

Committee Accomplishments:

CLE Programs:
The section sponsored the 2005 Annual Advanced Employee Benefits Seminar--with sellout attendance. We also sponsored an annual Spring Seminar on IRS Circular 230.

Newsletters:

Pro Bono Programs:

Legislative Developments:
The Section worked with the Family Law Section on proposed changes to Minnesota Statutes regarding qualified domestic relations orders.

Bylaw Revisions:
Bylaws were amended to conform to new MSBA governance structure.

Social Events:

Community Projects:
Members of the Section continue to work with the Minnesota Senior Federation on pension issues for seniors.

Section Sponsored Awards:

Law Student Outreach:

Membership/Recruitment:

E-mail Discussion Lists:

Finances:

Annual Meeting and Election of New Officers:

Chair:
Brad Keil, Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly, LLP

Vice-Chair:
Douglas Heffernan, Faegre & Benson, LLP

Secretary:
Jude Carluccio, Parsinen, Kaplan, Rosberg & Gotlieb, P.A.

Treasurer:
John Merkle, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

Other Members

Catherine Rudenick, Wells Fargo & Co.
John Nichols, Gray Plant Mooty Mooty and Bennett, PA
Leslie Anderson, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP.
Wendy Citron, Briggs and Morgan, PA
Tim Zellmer, General Mills

Bob Seng, Past Chair & MSBA Assembly Representative for 2005 - 2006

In 1996-97, the Employee Benefits Section continued its efforts to enhance the skills of Minnesota lawyers practicing in the employee benefits area and to improve the practice of employee benefits law.

In May 1996, the section supported the efforts of the Minnesota Senior Federation to restore federal funding for the Minnesota Pension Rights Project and submitted a proposal for funding by the MSBA Impact Fund. A grant was awarded and administered by the section in this fiscal year. The section's Pro Bono Committee, chaired by Advisory Council member Jeff Cairns, worked with the federation throughout the year to inform the public about their pension rights and the availability of this resource, as well as to promote participation in the project by section members. In May 1997, the section supported a renewal proposal by the Senior Federation for an Impact Fund Grant; $1,000 was awarded for the 1997-98 fiscal year.

In January, the section sponsored the 17th annual Advanced Employee Benefits Workshop, which was chaired by Advisory Council members Linda Schwartz and Jeff Cairns. This well-received workshop featured representatives of the U.S. Department of Labor and the IRS, as well as a number of local and out-of-state practitioners.

In April, the section continued its annual cooperating sponsorship of the IRS/ASPA Midwest Region Benefits Conference, an annual event that offers regional benefits practitioners an opportunity to meet with officials from the IRS and other government agencies to discuss the latest developments in employee benefits law compliance and audit.

In May, the section sponsored the 20th Annual Employee Benefits Institute, which was cochaired by Advisory Council members Rick Nelson and Mark Sletto. The section's annual meeting was held on the morning of the Institute and the following nominees were elected to the section's Advisory Council for the 1997-98 fiscal year: Rick Nelson, chairperson; Dick Hackett, vice chairperson; Jeff Cairns, secretary; Bob Hartmann, treasurer; and Linda Schwartz, Mark Sletto, Robin Harmon, Steve Levin and Bob Seng, advisory council members.

Lucinda Hruska-Claeys,
Chairperson

- Last Updated 8/3/07 -