SEATTLE – Stoel Rives LLP is pleased to announce that Bruce J. McNeil, one of the country’s foremost authorities on executive and deferred compensation, has joined the firm as a partner in the Employee Benefits group in the Seattle office. McNeil focuses his practice on employee benefits matters, including executive and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and the tax aspects of equity, phantom equity, and employee benefits litigation.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues at Stoel Rives to continue developing effective legal solutions for our clients,” said McNeil. “I hope to continue the growth of Stoel Rives’ employee benefits practice and work with my colleagues across practice areas to support clients in various industries.”
Bringing more than 35 years of experience to the firm, McNeil is an accomplished leader in employee benefits law. He serves on the board of directors of the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) and as chair of its Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Committee. In his role at PSCA, he has led discussions with the U. S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding non-qualified deferred compensation plans and the impact of mergers and acquisitions on employee benefits.
“Bruce’s deep knowledge of employee benefits law will be a great resource for our clients,” said Emily V. Karr, Chair of Stoel Rives’ Employee Benefits Group. “His wide-ranging experience and knowledge adds to our deep bench of leading employee benefits lawyers.”
A frequent writer and lecturer on employee benefits matters, McNeil has authored 34 books and more than 100 articles on related topics. Admitted to practice law in Washington, D.C., Minnesota, and seven other state and federal courts, he also has served as adjunct professor of law at the University of Minnesota Law School and formerly served with the Employee Plans Technical and Actuarial Division of the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, D.C.
“We are excited to welcome Bruce to Stoel Rives,” said Vanessa Soriano Power, Seattle Office Managing Partner. “His national footprint is closely aligned to the firm’s geographic footprint, and with these connections, we will continue to strengthen the team that supports our national corporate clients.”
McNeil is a Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel and is editor-in-chief of both the Journal of Pension Planning & Compliance and the Journal of Deferred Compensation: Nonqualified Plans and Executive Compensation. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Concordia College, a law degree from Drake University Law School, a master’s degree in English from Georgetown University and an LL.M from Georgetown University Law Center.