Adam L. Cockerill

Adam Cockerill helps employers navigate the complex maze of rules and regulations applied by ERISA and other regulatory acts on employee benefit programs. He prides himself in arming employers with the compliance tools necessary to attain the ultimate goal of employee satisfaction through participation in employee benefit programs.

Adam’s practice focuses on assisting employers with establishing, administering, merging, and terminating qualified retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, defined benefit pension plans, 403(b) plans, and employee stock ownership plans (ESOP), as well as nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements under Code Section 409A, health plans, cafeteria plans, severance plans, separation agreements, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, transportation, and other fringe benefit plans. His retirement plan experience includes both defined contribution and defined benefit plans.

Adam reviews plan documents for compliance with ERISA and applicable laws and drafts plan documents, summary plan descriptions, participant communications, and plan policies and procedures. He assists employers and service providers with establishing appropriate procedures for implementing the mandated requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He assists employers and employees with the tax income aspects of retirement, welfare, and deferred compensation plan benefits.

He assists clients with employee benefits issues in connection with merger and acquisition transactions. He advises benefits committees and human resource personnel on fiduciary duty and prohibited transaction issues, including advice regarding the propriety of proposed transactions and preparing applications to government agencies to avoid penalties and address compliance lapses. He assists employers ranging from sole proprietorships to large multinational corporations.

Publications

Speaking Engagements

News

Honors & Awards

Chambers USA, Employee Benefits & Compensation, 2021-2024
Omaha Magazine Top Lawyers of Omaha, Employee Benefits ERISA Law, 2021
Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2015-2017

Community & Professional

President of the Pension Council of the Midlands
ERISA Study Group
TeamMates Mentoring Program Mentor
The First Tee of Omaha Board Member
Nebraska State Bar Association
Iowa Bar Association