October 6 Clients and Friends Celebration; May 10 Clients and Friends Seminar
I. October 6, 2018 Clients and Friends Celebration. As previously announced, to celebrate the wonderful support we’ve received from our clients and friends during our first quarter century, we’ll be hosting an event on Saturday October 6, 2018, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the lovely Vollmer Center on the grounds of the Cylburn Arboretum (off Northern Parkway in Baltimore near Sinai Hospital). There will be no talking lawyer heads to endure, and we’ll have finger food, a light bar, dancing to the sounds of The Back Pages Band, and lots of fun at the piano featuring the masterful stylings of our colleague Howard Kirkpatrick. Please contact Alison Christian at achristian@smithdowney.com or 410-321-9000 if you’d like to reserve a spot.
II. May 10, 2018 Clients and Friends Seminar. Also as previously announced, we'll be holding our next clients and friends seminar at the BWI Marriott on Thursday May 10, 2018, from 8 a.m. to noon. The following are some of the topics we'll cover at the seminar. Some seating is still available. Please contact Alison Christian at achristian@smithdowney.com or 410-321-9000 if you'd like to reserve a spot. As always, our seminars are free.
--Health and Welfare Plan Topics:
Need for Legal Drafting or Review of Plan Documents
Need for Careful Legal Review of Vendor Agreements
New Disability Claims/Appeals Rules
Recent EEOC Wellness Litigation Losses
Form 5500 Changes; the Latest Rumblings
Maryland Male Sterilization Mandate and Its Impact on HSAs
Update on DOL and IRS Audit Activity and Field Positions
Responding to IRS ACA Penalty Letters
Health Coverage During Absences and Leaves
New Association Health Plan Rules
Common Errors in Dealing with Domestic Partner/Civil Union Partners/Common Law Spouses
Electronic Delivery Rules – Why Can’t I Just Email It?
Employees Versus Independent Contractors: Recent Developments
Transportation-Related Plans – Parking, Transit, Bicycles
UBTI for Onsite Gyms
Plan Designs That Favor/Disfavor Identified Groups
Dangers of Paying “Extra-Contractual” Benefits
Tax Bill Changes to Moving Expense Reimbursements
Pre-Filing Review of Form 5500s
Retiree Medical Plan Special Issues: ACA Exemption, MSP/ESRD
Employer Tax Credit for Paid Family and Medical Leave
Employee Achievement Award Taxation
Cadillac Tax Delay
February 2018 Budget Law: Impact on Benefit Plans
Short Term Health Insurance Guidance
--Qualified Retirement Plan Topics:
Special ACP Test for Plans with Matches Over 100%
403(b) and 401(k) - Remaining Differences and Planning Opportunities
Plan Loan Interest Rates
Converting Traditional Defined Benefit Plans to Cash Balance Plans
Review of the Partial Plan Termination Rules
Update on Retirement Plan Litigation
Review of Employers’ Fee Disclosure Obligations
Locating Missing Participants: Latest Development
Loan Offset Deposits to Rollover IRAs
Hardship Rules and Natural Disasters
Update on VCP User Fees
New Minimum Distribution Guidelines
Tips for Dealing with the New Fiduciary Rule
IRS Determination Letters Update
EBSA Penalties Inflation Adjustments
--Executive Compensation Topics:
Disability Definitions in NQ Plans
Issues When Employment on Incentive/Bonus Payment Date is Required
Public Company Compensation Rules in 2017 Tax Bill
2017 Tax Bill and Compensating Executives of Tax-Exempt and Governmental Employers
2017 Tax Bill Rules for Tax-Exempt and Governmental Employer Severance Plans
2017 Tax Bill Rules for Deferral of Gain on Certain Equity Awards
--Labor and Employment Law Topics:
Maryland’s New Earned Sick and Safe Leave Law
Sexual Harassment - How to Respond to the “Me Too” Moment
Updates on Pregnancy and Lactation Protections in the Workplace
NLRB Update
Wage and Hour Update
Disability Law Update
Marijuana Law Update
Multistate Compliance with Labor and Employment Laws
Restrictive Covenant Law Update
Payment of Bonuses and Commissions After Termination