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Attorney
By
Attorney
Career Profiles of the Profession
Who?
What?
Primary Practice Area & Subspecialty Fields:
Employee Benefits, ERISA.
When?
In Practice Area:
Since 2002
In the Legal Profession:
Since 2002
Where?
Employer:
Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.
www.whdlaw.com
Size/Sector:
125+ attorneys
City/State:
Milwaukee, WI
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Law School:
DePaul University College of Law
Other Post-Graduate Education
The George Washington University, M.A.in Art History
Undergraduate School/Degree:
Indiana University, Bloomington, B.A in Art History and
German
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Why?
Pluses/Challenges of Practice Area:
Employee Benefits Law practice presents an unusually steep learning
curve to the newcomer, but therefore also offers the chance to
become, in time, an expert in a complex and ever more important
specialty. The uniqueness of each new issue presents a satisfying
intellectual challenge.
Core Skills/Key Knowledge Needed in Your Practice Area:
Persistence, a researcher's curiosity, critical reading/analysis,
and a taste for trying to solve challenging verbal and conceptual
puzzles.
Advice to Lawyers and Law Students Interested in Your Practice
Area:
Take an Employee Benefits Course, Wills & Trusts, a general
Labor & Employment Law course, and as many Tax offerings as
you can fit into your schedule. If you can review and be vaguely
familiar with some major developments in this area, such as the
rise of Social Security, and of the trends toward, and away from
traditional pension plans, you'll be in great shape not only to
hit the job market and show real interest, but also to feel more
informed when you start working.
How?
Career Path to Current Position:
My law school Employee Benefits course prepared me for my first
post-graduation associate position, where I begin to learn about
how EB practice really works. After a couple of years of exposure
to the field and practice, I found a better fit at my present
firm, where I am able to directly assist Human Resource Managers,
Benefits Managers, and In-house Counsel to understand and make
practical use of the compliance issues and benefit design possibilities
inherent in this technical field.
Influences and Mentors:
I am thankful for the diverse guidance I have received from teachers
and supervisors throughout my studies and practice. I especially
appreciate the opportunity to work with and learn from outstanding
Employee Benefits Attorney, Michael W. Taibleson.
Suggested Reading About Your Practice Area:
Employee Benefits Law, 2d ed. (published by BNA and the
ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law) is a helpful overview
and starting point for beginning benefits practitioners, as well
as a valuable compendium for more seasoned veterans. Supplements
to the treatise are published yearly. An invaluable, but more
technical publication is the 4-volume ERISA Outline Book
by Sal L. Tripodi. There are also a number of more generally oriented
books and articles on the American retirement system in general.
A particularly good overview article is Michael S. Gordon's, ERISA,
ESOPs and Senator Javits: The Mind of a Reformer.
Job Search Techniques Used in Finding Your Position(s):
Extensive research, targeted communication with potential employers,
communication about my job search with friends, family and firms,
networking, and most importantly, persistence.
Bar Affiliations and Activities:
Member of the Wisconsin State Bar, the American Bar Association
Labor & Employment Section Employee Benefits Subcommittee
on Plan Design, Qualification Administration, The Milwaukee Bar
Association, the Association for Women Lawyers, and Wisconsin
Retirement Plan Professionals, Ltd.
Recent Professional Publications:
Contributions to the 2005 and 2004 Cumulative Supplements of
Employee Benefits Law, a publication of the Employee Benefits
Committee, ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law (Bureau of
National Affairs, Inc., 2nd ed. 2000).
"The Changing Nature of 'Private Promises': the Treatment
of Pension Plans Upon Divorce - A Historical Perspective on QDROS,"
Employee Benefits Journal published by the International
Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (June 2004).
Memorable Career Moment:
Publishing a benefits history article in 2004 in honor of the
50th anniversary of the meeting that led to the formation of the
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, the 40th Anniversary
of ERISA, and the 20th Anniversary of the QDRO-creating Retirement
Equity Act.
Intriguing Interests:
Speaking and Translating German, Medieval Art and History,
Travel, Genealogical Research.
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