Deborah L. Grace

Principal employee benefits counsel to public and private companies, advising them on all aspects of the design, implementation and administration of all types of retirement plans, including 401(k), profit sharing, defined benefit, ESOP, SEP, SIMPLE-IRAs, 403(b), and 457 plans.

Extensive experience advising companies on the design, implementation and administration of insured and self-insured medical plans, dental plans, life insurance, disability, and cafeteria plans, including pre-tax premium plans and flexible spending account plans.

Counsel private companies on the employee benefit issues arising from corporate mergers and acquisitions.

Extensive experience advising public and private companies on ERISA compliance, including advice regarding reporting and disclosure requirements, and fiduciary responsibility, prohibited transaction and plan investment issues.

Substantial experience advising companies on COBRA and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Negotiated favorable results with the IRS under its Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System.

Counsel private companies on executive compensation, including nonqualified deferred compensation plans, SERPs, excess benefit plans, stock option and other equity-based plans, and "rabbi" trusts.

Implemented a leveraged ESOP funded with stock valued at more than $10 million.

Counsel plan administrators as to the qualified status of domestic relations orders (QDROs).

• Past, Chairman of the Employee Benefits Committee of the Oakland County Bar Association
• Michigan Bar Association, member of the Employee Benefits Committee of the Tax Section
• American Bar Association Member, active on the Employee Benefits Committee of the Tax Section
• Member, Human Resources Committee of Automation Alley

• Legal Counsel to Angels' Place, a Michigan non-profit corporation

• Frequent lecturer for educational and commercial seminars and presentations on 401(k), 403(b), HIPAA and other employee benefits and estate planning topics.
• Lecturer, Council on Education in Management Health Care Benefits Forum, "Complying with HIPAA and COBRA: Legislative Issues Impacting Your Health Care Plan," 2005
• Author, "What Steps Must an Employer Take to Comply with the New HIPAA Medical Privacy Law?," Laches, 2003
• Citizen’s Advisory Committee of the Oakland Probate Court, Frequent speaker on estate planning and administration