J. René Toadvine maintains a nationwide practice that focuses on representing management in all facets of employee benefits matters, including:

• Employee benefits tax issues
• The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and benefits planning
• Executive compensation
• Employee benefits in mergers and acquisitions
• Bank finance and ERISA issues in securitizations

René designs and drafts all types of employee benefits and executive compensation plans with adherence to compliance regulations, including:

• Qualified and non-qualified retirement plans
• Health and welfare plans
• Severance plans
• Disability plans
• Equity compensation
• Deferred compensation

Appearing before administrative agencies, including the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and the Department of Labor, René has specific knowledge of:

• ERISA
• 409A
• Internal Revenue Code
• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

René represents a wide variety of companies, including:

• Manufacturing
• Distribution
• Retail
• Health Care
• Cable
• Technology
• Engineering
• Real estate

René is the office managing shareholder of Littler Mendelson's Charlotte, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina, offices, and also currently serves on Littler's Board of Directors. Additionally, he is a member of the Level A to B Write-On Subcommittee and a core member of the Employee Benefits Leadership Group.

Before joining Littler, René was a partner and counsel at two other law firms. Prior to attending law school, René practiced as a senior actuarial analyst in the life and health insurance industry.

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

• Member, Charlotte Benefits Forum
• Member, Southern Employee Benefits Conference
• Member, Employee Benefits Committee, Section of Taxation - American Bar Association
• Member, Hickory Grove Christian School Board
• Former Member and Chair, Covenant Day School Board
• Former Board Member, Charlotte Rescue Mission

RECOGNITION

• Named, The Best Lawyers in America, 2013
• Order of the Coif