Search Full Menu ESOPs – Employee Stock Ownership Plans An ESOP, or employee stock ownership plan, provides a tax-advantaged solution that can meet a company’s needs in a variety of situations. ESOPs can be used to: Generate shareholder liquidity Create a market for the shares of a closely held company Increase employees’ productivity by making them “owners” Raise capital for strategic growth Support a tax-advantageous exit strategy for a departing shareholder(s) Rollup companies for growth with a tax-efficient strategy ESOPs are complex creatures of the tax code and ERISA and require professionals with significant ESOP experience to help maximize potential benefits and minimize potential exposure, since individuals can be subject to personal fiduciary liability. To achieve the benefits of an ESOP, it is important to communicate properly with your employees, to maintain compliance with the complex ESOP rules and regulations, and to administer the ESOP in accordance with its terms. Our Experience With complex structures and numerous potential pitfalls, setting up an ESOP does not guarantee success. Stevens & Lee understands the pitfalls in establishing and maintaining a successful ESOP. With employee benefits, tax and corporate lawyers – along with financial, structuring and accounting professionals from our affiliated investment bank, Griffin Financial Group — our multidisciplinary team is actively engaged in significant ESOP transactions on a regular basis. For over 25 years, we have guided numerous ESOPs through their complete life cycles — from an idea to implementation to ongoing advice and sometimes even to a business sale and final termination of the ESOP. We have experience with feasibility, design and implementation of ESOPs for both Subchapter S and Subchapter C corporations. We also have a team of litigators who focus exclusively on handling all forms of ERISA litigation. Among the areas where we provide service are: ESOP feasibility and design Single and multi-stage ESOP transactions Merger and acquisition transactions involving ESOP companies Strategic growth strategies by ESOP-owned companies through acquisition Recapitalization Designing creative synthetic equity-based and other compensation arrangements for senior executives Defense of DOL and IRS audits Ongoing compliance assistance Employee communications ERISA fiduciary litigation Financially stressed situations We also represent lenders who make loans to ESOP companies. As a large platform of multidisciplinary professional services providers, we can provide the resources to handle a wide range of issues that may arise in the ordinary course of business or in a transaction, unlike boutique law firms and other service providers that deal solely with ESOPs. In addition, Stevens & Lee’s transaction lawyers regularly handle corporate and merger and acquisition issues in a non-ESOP context, allowing us to call on their expertise when needed. Our lawyers work together with Griffin professionals to access the capital markets, if needed, as well as our affiliate Pinnacle Risk Services, which provides insurance risk consulting services. We are members of the National Center for Employee Ownership and the ESOP Association. We are also proud to be founding sponsors of the PaCEO as Founders Guild members. Related News News A Year in the Life of an ESOP April 20, 2021 News Ask the Experts March 23, 2021 Press Releases Stevens & Lee Names Two New Shareholders January 5, 2021 News CARES Act/Paycheck Protection Program Update April 3, 2020 Practice Contacts Edward C. Renenger 610.478.2238 ed.renenger@stevenslee.com James G. Steiker 215.508.5643 james.steiker@stevenslee.com Related Professionals Service Areas Distressed ESOP Companies ESOP Feasibility and Strategic Alternatives Establishing an ESOP Sell-side Services for ESOP Companies Related Industries Financial Institutions Insurance Private Equity AFFILIATES Griffin Financial Group SES ESOP Strategies GSL Government Consulting FSL Public Finance Kent Franchise Law Group Pinnacle Risk Services Stay Connected Sign up to receive email alerts on topics and trends that impact you and your business. Subscribe Disclaimer Privacy Policy ¨ ©2021 Stevens & Lee. All Rights Reserved. Attorney Advertising