Certificate in Employee Benefits Law

Benefits law mistakes cost companies millions in penalties and lawsuits. In 4½ days, you'll master the ERISA, ACA, and fiduciary strategies that keep your organization compliant and protected. Real regulations, practical solutions, immediate confidence.

Delivery Options:
In Person
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46+ YEARS
Employment Law Training
|
80,000+
Certificates Earned
|
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS
Not Academics

Build Benefits Law Expertise That Protects Plans and Limits Your Liability

The Certificate in Employee Benefits Law is 4.5 intensive days where you'll build expertise in ERISA compliance, retirement plan administration, and health care reform requirements with practicing benefits attorneys, working through the complex regulations that govern 401(k) plans, health benefits, and benefits litigation.

What Sets This Program Apart

  • Complete benefits law coverage – ERISA fiduciary rules, 401(k) administration, nondiscrimination testing, ACA compliance, claims procedures, and DOL/IRS audit defense
  • Real-world application – Work through plan corrections, fiduciary breach scenarios, benefits claims appeals, and the regulatory challenges you'll face Monday morning
  • Expert benefits attorney instruction – Learn from practicing ERISA specialists who handle DOL audits, defend fiduciary liability claims, and navigate the regulations daily
  • Professional certification – Earn your certificate plus 29.75 SHRM/HRCI/CLE continuing education credits
  • Benefits beyond the classroom – Your investment includes quarterly legal updates, faculty access, and alumni resources that keep you current year-round. View participant benefits →
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What You'll Master in 4½ Days

Master the complex regulatory landscape of employee benefits. Learn the practical strategies our instructor attorneys use to navigate ERISA compliance, manage retirement plans effectively, and handle health and welfare benefits without costly mistakes.

Master the Regulatory Landscape

Navigate Title I and Title II, understand agency jurisdiction.

Foundation

ERISA fundamentals

Navigate Title I and Title II, understand the division of authority between IRS, DOL, and PBGC.

Foundation

Plan qualification requirements

Learn what makes plans compliant and what triggers disqualification.

Advanced

The alphabet soup decoded

Master ERISA, ADA, COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA, and how each impacts your plans.

Advanced

Regulatory agency roadmap

Know which agency has jurisdiction over what and how to work with each effectively.

Advanced

Expense management

Learn what expenses can be paid from plan assets without triggering problems.

Expert

Prohibited transactions

Identify violations before they happen, understand exemptions and correction procedures.

Expert

Investment liability

Know who's liable when investments go bad and how to protect yourself.

Expert

404(c) protection

Determine if participant-directed investment is worth the compliance burden.

Expert

Service provider liability

Understand cofiduciary rules and when providers share your risk.

Advanced

Participant loans

Set up loan programs that comply without creating administrative nightmares.

Advanced

Salary deferrals

Manage contributions and catch-up elections properly.

Advanced

Blackout periods

Comply with Sarbanes-Oxley notification requirements.

Advanced

Section 204(h) notices

Provide required notices without triggering participant concerns.

Expert

QDRO processing

Handle domestic relations orders correctly the first time.

Advanced

HCE identification

Correctly identify highly compensated employees under current rules.

Advanced

Failed test corrections

Fix problems quickly using the methods that work.

Expert

Coverage rules mastery

Navigate Section 410(b) testing including controlled group rules and QSLOB exceptions.

Expert

401(k) and 401(m) testing

Handle ADP/ACP tests and know your safe harbor options.

Expert

Cross-testing strategies

Use age-weighted profit sharing to maximize owner benefits legally.

Advanced

Distribution triggers

Know when participants can access funds and what restrictions apply.

Advanced

Withholding and rollovers

Handle tax withholding correctly and facilitate smooth rollovers.

Advanced

Hardship distributions

Process hardships that satisfy IRS safe harbors.

Expert

Required minimum distributions

Calculate and distribute RMDs at age 70½ without errors.

Expert

Anti-cutback rules

Navigate Section 411(d)(6) when eliminating distribution options.

Advanced

IRS audit targets

Know what triggers audits and how to avoid red flags.

Advanced

Late filing solutions

Handle late 5500 filings and minimize penalties.

Expert

Voluntary correction programs

Use EPCRS to fix errors before IRS discovers them.

Expert

DOL compliance programs

Correct fiduciary violations through VFCP.

Expert

Qualification preservation

Keep plans qualified even when problems arise.

Build Bulletproof Procedures

Know which plans ERISA covers and maintain proper documentation.

Foundation

Plan coverage determination

Know which plans ERISA covers and which are exempt.

Advanced

Documentation requirements

Maintain SPDs, SMMs, and plan documents that satisfy DOL standards.

Advanced

Reporting obligations

File Form 5500 correctly and meet disclosure deadlines.

Expert

State law navigation

Understand when ERISA preempts state requirements and when it doesn't.

Advanced

Claims procedures

Establish DOL-compliant procedures that protect your appeal rights.

Expert

Decision documentation

Create the administrative record that wins in court.

Expert

Disability claims

Navigate the heightened standards for disability benefit claims.

Expert

Appeal processes

Structure appeals that satisfy regulatory requirements and build your defense.

Advanced

Fiduciary identification

Know who the fiduciaries are and what obligations they have.

Expert

Investment duties

Understand prudent investment requirements and monitoring obligations.

Expert

Reimbursement rights

Protect your plan's right to recover overpayments and subrogation.

Expert

Anti-cutback compliance

Avoid benefit reductions that trigger participant lawsuits.

Advanced

Recent court decisions

Learn what appellate courts are saying about claims and appeals.

Advanced

DOL enforcement trends

Understand where regulators are focusing attention.

Advanced

Best practices evolution

Stay current with what courts expect from plan administrators.

Expert

Litigation hot topics

Prepare for the claims issues that are generating lawsuits now.

Expert

Arbitrary and capricious standard

Leverage the deferential standard of review.

Expert

No jury trials

Understand how bench trials favor plan administrators.

Expert

Limited discovery

Use the administrative record rule to control litigation scope.

Expert

Attorney fee rules

Know when courts award fees and how to minimize exposure.

Get the Basics Right

Know which welfare plans are subject to ERISA and establish compliant procedures.

Foundation

Coverage determination

Know which welfare plans are subject to ERISA.

Advanced

Reporting and disclosure

Handle Form 5500, SPD, and SMM requirements for welfare plans.

Advanced

Plan funding rules

Understand when trusts are required and what constitutes plan assets.

Advanced

Claims procedures

Establish DOL-compliant claim and appeal processes.

Expert

Fiduciary obligations

Navigate prohibited transaction rules for welfare plan assets.

Advanced

Employer mandate

Understand play-or-pay rules and who must offer coverage.

Advanced

Coverage affordability

Calculate whether your coverage satisfies ACA standards.

Advanced

Reporting requirements

Handle Forms 1094 and 1095 correctly.

Advanced

Compliance deadlines

Stay current with ACA implementation dates and requirements.

Expert

Cadillac tax planning

Strategies to avoid the high-cost plan excise tax.

Advanced

Privacy rules for plan sponsors

Understand what PHI you can access and what's restricted.

Advanced

Business associate agreements

Structure contracts that satisfy HIPAA requirements.

Advanced

Security standards

Implement safeguards that protect electronic health information.

Expert

Breach notification

Know when and how to report privacy violations.

Advanced

Health Savings Accounts

Structure HSA-compatible plans and handle contribution rules.

Advanced

Health Reimbursement Arrangements

Navigate HRA design and compliance requirements.

Advanced

Flexible Spending Accounts

Administer health and dependent care FSAs correctly.

Advanced

Private exchanges

Understand when private exchanges make sense for your organization.

Advanced

Claim substantiation

Handle FSA and HRA claim documentation requirements.

Advanced

COBRA administration

Master qualifying events, notices, and election procedures.

Advanced

Cafeteria plan testing

Avoid discrimination in Section 125 plans.

Expert

Mental health parity

Ensure behavioral health benefits comply with parity requirements.

Expert

Medicare coordination

Handle Medicare Secondary Payer rules correctly.

Expert

QMCSO processing

Administer qualified medical child support orders properly.

Advanced

ADEA and age discrimination

Provide retiree benefits without violating age discrimination rules.

Advanced

ADA accommodations

Handle disability-related benefit issues correctly.

Advanced

FMLA coordination

Integrate FMLA leave with health benefit continuation.

Advanced

GINA compliance

Avoid genetic information discrimination in wellness programs.

Advanced

USERRA requirements

Handle military leave and benefit continuation properly.

Ready to Transform Your Workplace?

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Upcoming In-Person Sessions

Join practicing ERISA attorneys for intensive, hands-on training with the professional credits you need.

Hotel Details

Practicing Attorneys, Not Academics

Learn from employment law attorneys who practice what they teach. Your instructors actively handle union campaigns, defend discrimination charges, and win employment law cases - then share exactly what works in real courtrooms and workplaces.

Ray Deeny, Esq.

Ray Deeny, Esq.

Partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Ray is widely regarded as a dean of labor and employment law, known for his encyclopedic knowledge and unmatched command of workplace regulations. For over 40 years, he has represented management nationwide, blending a powerhouse advisory practice with a formidable litigation record.

Read Ray's full bio →
John F. Wymer, III, Esq.

John F. Wymer, III, Esq.

Partner, Labor & Employment at Thompson Hine LLP

John F. Wymer is a nationally recognized labor and employment attorney and partner in Thompson Hine LLP's Labor & Employment group. With decades of experience, he represents public and private sector employers nationwide in employment discrimination, wage-and-hour, labor negotiations, union matters, ERISA claims, and more.

Read John's full bio →
Wayne W. Williams, Esq.

Wayne W. Williams, Esq.

Founder, Law Offices of Wayne W. Williams

Wayne Williams is a distinguished employment and labor law attorney based in Colorado Springs. As the founder of his own firm, he advises and represents employers on a wide range of issues including employment discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge, wage and hour compliance, and traditional labor law.

Read Wayne's full bio →
Dawn R. Kubik, Esq.

Dawn R. Kubik, Esq.

Of Counsel, Kubik Workplace & Investigative Services

Dawn Kubik is an employment attorney and founder of Kubik Workplace and Investigative Services and Dawn R. Kubik, P.C. With a legal career spanning since 1997, she has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in employment, personal injury, contract, and insurance disputes, earning a reputation as a strategic, well-prepared, and highly communicative advocate.

Read Dawn's full bio →
Patrick Scully

Patrick Scully, Esq.

Partner at Foley Hoag

Patrick Scully primarily focuses on labor law issues and helps clients successfully navigate complex and persistent claims from international and local labor unions. Patrick's work includes unfair labor practice charges and representation cases as well as federal and state court litigation. He frequently advises employers in collective bargaining negotiations and handles labor arbitration.

Read Patrick's full bio →
Rudi S. Turner, Esq.

Rudi S. Turner, Esq.

Senior Corporate Counsel, White Cap

Rudi is Senior In-House Counsel at White Cap, where she counsels and defends the organization as it responds to administrative agency complaints, potential litigation, and employee lawsuits. Drawing on extensive experience in labor and employment law, she supports leaders and HR professionals in navigating complex workplace issues.

Read Rudi's full bio →
Jacqueline E. Kalk, Esq.

Jacqueline E. Kalk, Esq.

Shareholder at Littler Mendelson P.C.

Jacqueline E. Kalk represents and advises management across industries including manufacturing, construction, crowd-sourcing, and virtual companies. She focuses on independent contractor classification, wage-and-hour compliance, equal pay, and employment litigation, defending clients in state and federal courts.

Read Jacqueline's full bio →
Grant S. Gibeau

Grant S. Gibeau

Partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Grant Gibeau is a partner in Taft's Minneapolis Employment and Labor Relations practice group. Grant's practice primarily focuses on helping employers navigate all aspects of the employment relationship, from identifying workplace best practices and policies, drafting employee handbooks, and vigorously defending against claims.

Read Grant's full bio →
Amy J. Zdravecky, Esq.

Amy J. Zdravecky, Esq.

Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Amy represents employers across industries including retail, hospitality, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare. She advises on employee relations, union avoidance, collective bargaining, harassment prevention, and compliance with key employment laws like Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and FCRA.

Read Amy's full bio →

✨ Exclusive Attendee Benefits

  • Pre-Program Consultation

    Identify your priorities and customize your learning focus before day one.

  • Professional Credits

    Earn 35.75 SHRM/HRCI/CLE credits—more than most HR professionals earn in two years.

  • Ongoing Development

    12 months of quarterly employment law updates keep you current as regulations change.

  • Alumni Advantages

    $300-$500 off all future programs—for you and every colleague you refer.

Pre-Program Consultation

Identify your priorities and customize your learning focus before day one.

Quick Answers

We know you're busy. Here's what you actually need to know.

Within minutes, you'll receive an invoice email. Once payment is processed, you can schedule your complimentary pre-program consultation (10-15 minutes) to discuss your specific benefits administration challenges and identify which regulatory topics will have the biggest impact for your organization. Pre-program materials arrive one week before your session starts.
Yes. While most participants get the best value from the complete 4½-day program, you can register for individual blocks based on your immediate needs. Block I (Retirement Plans Mastery) is $1,375, Block II (Claims, Appeals & Litigation) is $575, and Block III (Health & Welfare Benefits) is $975. The full program at $2,375 saves you $550 versus purchasing all blocks separately.
All three formats feature the same practicing ERISA attorney instructors, current regulatory content, and professional credits. In-person provides face-to-face networking with other benefits professionals. Virtual delivers the same live instruction via Zoom with full Q&A capability. On-demand lets you learn at your own pace over 90 days. Choose the format that fits your schedule. The quality and content remain identical.
The complete program provides 29.75 SHRM/HRCI/CLE credits. Plus, your enrollment includes 12 months of quarterly employment law updates (4 sessions × 1.5 credits each = 6 additional credits), bringing your total to 35.75 credits. That's more than most professionals earn in two years.
Both. HR generalists gain the ERISA and ACA compliance knowledge to manage benefits without constantly escalating to outside counsel. Benefits specialists and administrators get deeper expertise in fiduciary rules, nondiscrimination testing, and claims litigation. Many organizations also send in-house counsel who advise on benefits matters. The program is designed to be valuable whether you touch benefits daily or manage them as part of a broader HR role.
Consider your exposure. If you only administer retirement plans, Block I (Retirement Plans Mastery) and Block II (Claims, Appeals & Litigation) cover ERISA fiduciary rules, plan corrections, and benefits litigation defense. However, many 401(k) administrators also get questions about health plan issues, and the full program provides context that helps you understand the complete benefits landscape. The pre-program consultation can help you decide which blocks are essential for your situation.
No legal background required. The program is designed for benefits professionals who need practical compliance knowledge, not law school theory. You'll learn how to handle fiduciary obligations, pass nondiscrimination tests, process QDROs, navigate ACA reporting, and defend benefits claims. Our instructors translate complex ERISA regulations into actionable procedures you can implement Monday morning.
Yes. Your enrollment includes all live instruction from practicing ERISA attorneys, complete program materials, 29.75 continuing education credits, pre-program consultation, 12 months of quarterly employment law updates (4 sessions, $1,588 value), permanent access to updated benefits resources, and alumni benefits for all future programs. The only additional cost would be travel and lodging if you choose in-person format.
Absolutely. Block I covers IRS and DOL audit triggers, voluntary correction programs (EPCRS and VFCP), and strategies for fixing plan errors before they become disasters. The pre-program consultation is the perfect time to share your audit situation (confidentially) so our team can point you to the most relevant content. Many participants come with active compliance issues and leave with specific action plans.
Yes. The program is designed for immediate application. You'll leave with frameworks for fiduciary decision-making, nondiscrimination testing procedures, claims administration protocols, ACA reporting checklists, and audit defense strategies. Whether you're managing a 401(k), administering health benefits, or handling COBRA and FMLA coordination, you'll have the regulatory knowledge to make confident decisions and avoid the mistakes that trigger penalties and litigation.

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