PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion - ERISA Forfeiture Litigation
Forfeiture funds in 401(k) plans represent a unique asset pool with specific regulatory requirements and practical applications. Forfeiture funds arise when participants terminate employment with the company before becoming...more
With 2024 drawing to a close, employers should review any actions needed before year-end with respect to their benefit plans, as well as some upcoming deadlines that may require advance planning. As the adage attributed to...more
The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a district court determination that a patent owner had not provided the “particularized testimony and linking argument” required to demonstrate equivalence under the...more
Once upon a time in the Eastern District of New York, a cryptocurrency foundation, new owners of the sole copy of Wu-Tang Clan’s “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin,” filed suit against the album’s former purchaser, Martin Shkreli,...more
The word "forfeiture" has an interesting etymology. It is derived from two Latin words, foris meaning a door or gate, and facere meaning to do. Eventually, the word came to refer to a misdeed punishable by a fine. Today,...more
A notable trend in ERISA litigation has emerged as in-house attorneys look to mitigate the risks of coming waves of class action litigation. Beginning in late 2023, there have been several challenges to the use of forfeiture...more
In 2021, the self-proclaimed “Crypto King,” along with an associate, paid a $500,000 deposit to purchase a commercial real estate property to store their exotic car collection. The “Crypto King,” Aiden Pleterski, had...more
BAE Systems Inc. has won a class action lawsuit about misusing 401(k) plan forfeitures. U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga, of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, granted BAE’s motion to dismiss...more
Case 1: The Manchester Ship Canal Company Ltd v United Utilities Water Ltd - The United Utilities sewerage network has around 100 ‘outfalls’ from which material emanating from sewers, sewage treatment works and pumping...more
On September 19, 2024, the Southern District of California dismissed claims brought by a 401(k) plan participant against Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. regarding the use of forfeitures to offset future employer contributions. ...more
Recently had a client going through an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audit and while talking to an agent, they didn’t disagree with my theory that the idea of being able to reduce employer contributions through forfeitures...more
For one of our authors, their kids’ current favorite treat is a chocolate bar sold by a popular YouTube personality (and philanthropist!). The kids know about this particular chocolate bar because the personality promotes it...more
Last year, we alerted you to the filing of several class action lawsuits alleging that plan fiduciaries violated their duties of prudence and loyalty under Title I of ERISA by using forfeitures to reduce employer...more
We understand that running an automotive supplier business involves more than just industry-specific issues. That's why we regularly provide important insights and tips on broader legal trends to help you navigate challenges...more
On Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court issued its opinions in Fair v. Continental Resources, No. S-21-074, and Nieveen v. TAX 106, No. S-21-364, following remand from the United States Supreme Court in the wake of Tyler v....more
Recent developments spotlight issues with forfeiture and other unallocated accounts in defined contribution retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans: •The IRS has set the deadline for plan forfeiture use. •Participants in...more
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) recently secured its first forfeiture of sanctioned funds. This was a landmark achievement for the NCA’s Combatting Kleptocracy Cell, which has only existed since 2022 and aims to...more
Last year, we alerted you to the filing of several class action lawsuits alleging that plan fiduciaries violated their duties of prudence and loyalty under Title I of ERISA by applying forfeitures to reduce employer...more
In March 2024, at the American Bar Association’s 39th National Institute on White Collar Crime, Deputy Attorney General (“DAG”) Lisa Monaco announced that the Department of Justice (“DOJ” or the “Department”) intended to...more
On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt discusses pending court cases regarding the proper use of forfeitures that arise under defined contribution plans. He outlines how these new...more
In a recent case, the Michigan Supreme Court issued an opinion in Schafer v. Kent County, No. 164975, addressing the critical issue of surplus equity stemming from a tax foreclosure within the context of the state...more
Addressing forfeiture of issues on appeal and sufficiency of the asserted prior art, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a Patent Trial & Appeal Board obviousness finding, explaining that a party does not...more
On March 7, 2024, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced the Department of Justice (DOJ) would release a new whistleblower rewards program for civil and criminal forfeitures. On August 1, 2024, DOJ did just that—as the...more
On August 1, 2024, the Department of Justice officially launched a three-year pilot program to reward whistleblowers who report corporate misconduct....more
On behalf of the ESOPs, Benefits & Compensation team, we hope your Summer is off to a great start. In the time of family vacations and out-of-office replies, the pace of employee benefits changes—both large and small—remains...more