Jon T. Coffin

Sophisticated ERISA and benefits practices are usually found at much larger, national law firms – with a price tag commensurate with the overhead they support. Our clients (for-profit and non-profit) have complex needs, and our practice is tailored to be hands-on – applying our problem-solving capabilities very specifically to their goals and wishes. But we charge regional rates, which helps our clients invest more in their employees and organizations.

Jon Coffin is an employment attorney who represents for-profit and non-profit corporations with their employee benefits and ERISA issues, and non-profit entities with their compliance and structural issues, helping to ensure these entities maintain the tax-exempt/tax-deferred status of their benefit plans and/or entities. With significant experience across different industries, Jon advises on and helps clients implement or form new plans and entities or revise and restructure existing plans and entities in a way that makes the most sense for the size and goals of the organization. Jon has represented numerous charities and religious nonprofits in the formation process, analysis of appropriate structure (including affiliations with, or investment/ownership of, for-profit entities), and tax issues arising from unrelated business income tax (UBIT), as well as risks of losing exempt status or incurring sanctions due to violation of tax regulations. He also assists nonprofit organizations with their employee benefit plans, including 403(b) retirement plans, 457 deferred compensation plans, and health and welfare plans. Frequently receiving referrals from accountants, advisors and other benefit plan service providers, Jon is representing clients throughout the Carolinas and elsewhere, as clients’ operations and needs expand. When the company or one of its other plan service providers uncovers a plan compliance issue, they refer the client to Jon to handle voluntary corrections, which allows the client to make appropriate corrections prior to the Internal Revenue Service or Department of Labor being involved. He is also brought in after the IRS or DOL know about an issue to determine the best course of action. The plan structures and types are complex and varied, and Jon understands the ins and outs of all of them – retirement plans (401(k) plans, defined benefit pension plans, ESOPs, 403(b) plans); executive compensation plans (deferred compensation, phantom stock plans, 457 plans); and health and welfare plans (cafeteria plans, FSAs, HRAs, HSAs, Wraparound documents for company group health plans); etc. On a related note, Jon negotiates and designs effective agreements that cover employment, severance and non-competes.