Employee Benefits Attorney Michael Nader Joins Barnes & Thornburg in Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE – Barnes & Thornburg is boosting its employee benefits and executive compensation practice with the addition of Michael J. Nader as a partner in the firm’s Fort Wayne office.

A former partner at Faegre Drinker (formerly Faegre Baker Daniels) in Fort Wayne, Nader counsels clients on virtually all aspects of employee benefits law. He helps employers develop strategies that eliminate or mitigate risk associated with denial or reduction of benefits. In addition, he works closely with employers on matters related to retirement and welfare plans, the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

“We are excited to have Mike join our Fort Wayne office to provide clients with a variety of services associated with employee benefits and executive compensation, an area of law that continues to be ever-changing,” said Randy Brown, managing partner of the Fort Wayne office. 

Nader provides guidance to a variety of clients throughout the country that are involved in the employee benefits area, including shareholders, employers, trustees, third-party administrators and fiduciary committees, including employee stock ownership plans (ESOP) committees. He counsels ESOP clients on the development, implementation and administration of ESOPs and advises clients regarding the sale or acquisition of ESOP-owned companies.

“Our clients are increasingly seeking sophisticated counsel on all issues related to employee benefits, compensation and ESOPs, the latter of which continue to be a useful tool used by businesses and shareholders,” said David Gotlieb, chair of the firm’s Corporate Department. “Mike adds depth and breadth to our ESOP practice, which has flourished over the years as businesses identify new ways of supporting employees.”

Nader is a noted commentator and author on the various aspects of ERISA, including healthcare reform. He also is a member of the ESOP Association. 

He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Wayne State University Law School and his bachelor’s degree with distinction from the University of Michigan. Nader is also an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School.

With more than 600 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, Ohio, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, Texas and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com or on Twitter @BTLawNews.