MINNEAPOLIS
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Check-In: 8:30 AM
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall # 370
3rd Floor, City Center
Minneapolis, MN 55402
The open, discussion-based breakout sessions make this Workshop a unique learning experience. We look forward to thoughtful and insightful comments from national and Minnesota experts. There will be morning and afternoon plenary sessions, and we’re continuing with our traditional small-group breakout sessions. Don’t miss your chance to gather with your colleagues and attend this annual tradition in person!
Areas of focus include:
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
Welcome & Introduction
– Andrew J. Holly, Planning Committee Member
9:05 – 10:05 a.m.
The Benefits Agenda: What to Expect from the Trump Administration and Congress in 2025 and Beyond
A new administration and Republican Congress may impact several important health and retirement policy priorities. The expert policy staff at the American Benefits Council will describe possible opportunities as well as federal regulatory activity expected over the coming year.
– Diann Howland
10:05 – 10:10 a.m.
BREAK
10:10 – 11:10 a.m.
The 2024–2025 Litigation Update
Experienced ERISA attorneys will review recent case law developments from plaintiff and defense counsel perspectives, including how recent cases and trends shape litigation thinking and strategies. This will include a discussion of new Supreme Court cases and other trends in pension and healthcare disputes.
– Andrew J. Holly, Katherine L. MacKinnon & Kirsten E. Schubert
11:10 – 11:15 a.m.
BREAK
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION A
101
Advising Employers About Mental Health Parity
This session will discuss legal and regulatory developments, current enforcement efforts, and examine a variety of hot topics including compliance, audits and limits on residential treatment.
– Julie A. Lewis
102
Employment Law for Benefits Practitioners
The ever-changing employee benefits landscape has become more complex with recent changes in Minnesota and federal employment law. Attend this session for a practical overview of key employment law issues that directly impact employee benefits practitioners.
– Krista A. Hatcher & Thomas B. Henke
12:15 – 12:30 p.m.
LUNCH (provided to all attendees)
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
LUNCH PRESENTATION
IRS Updates, Initiatives and Hot Topics Involving Retirement and Health and Welfare Benefits
Hear from IRS counsel regarding recent changes and developments.
– John R. Wright
1:30 – 1:45 p.m.
BREAK
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION B
201
What the Loper Bright Decisions Means for the Employee Benefits Sector
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo rejected a 40-year-old precedent known as “Chevron deference,” which gave federal agencies latitude to clarify ambiguous laws passed by Congress. This session discusses the possible consequences this may have for the employee benefits sector.
– Allison Itami & Professor David A. Schultz
202
Roth Madness! Insights for the Advanced Practitioner
This session will do a deep dive into the Roth requirements and options applicable to defined contribution retirement plans, including: Roth Catch-Up Contributions, Roth Employer Contributions, Roth In-Plan Conversions, and the mega back-door Roth, as well as the impact these Roth changes may have on deferred compensation plans. We will also review the removal of Roth contributions from required minimum distributions.
– Page D. Fleeger & Mark P. Rosenfeld
2:45 – 3:00 p.m.
BREAK
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Ethical Considerations for Multi-Jurisdictional Practice: A Guide for Today’s Employee Benefits Practitioner
1.0 ethics credit applied for
This session explores the ethical challenges that employee benefits practitioners face in a practice environment that may involve responsibilities in multiple states. This session discusses the rules related to multijurisdictional practice and offers guidance for what to do when faced with common situations.
– Jennifer S. Bovitz & Aram V. Desteian
4:00 – 4:30 p.m.
WORKSHOP RECEPTION
Gather with your colleagues and friends for cheer, camaraderie and connection!
LIVE IN-PERSON
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
There will be no replay.
$345 MSBA members / $345 paralegals / $395 standard rate
Other discounts that may apply:
Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.
Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 6.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 ethics credit. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 6.0 credits.
Minnesota CLE also has applied to the Minnesota State Bar Association for 6.0 labor and employment law specialist credits.