Overview
Lynn McGuire is a Shareholder based in Butzel's Ann Arbor office. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 1997), where she was a Student Note Editor for the Journal of College and University Law, and received a degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan - Dearborn (B.A., with Distinction, 1993).
Ms. McGuire concentrates her practice in the area of employee benefits law and executive compensation. She regularly works with defined benefit pension plans, 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) and (f) retirement plans, insured and self-insured group health plans, cafeteria plans, health reimbursement arrangements, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, qualified transportation fringe benefits, on-site clinics, wellness programs, employee assistance programs, group life insurance, STD, LTD, opt-out cash benefits, pre-tax premiums, tuition assistance benefits, adoption assistance programs, and vacation trusts. Ms. McGuire regularly advises clients on compliance with the complexities of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requirements (Health Care Reform), as well as a variety of other laws affecting employee benefits. She has a wealth of experience in advising employers and other fiduciaries on fiduciary "best practices," as well as ERISA and tax compliance. Ms. McGuire works with employers and individuals on nonqualified deferred compensation plans and equity-based compensation programs that include restricted stock, incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, phantom equity, stock appreciation rights, and profits interests. She advises public and private employers including governmental entities, non-profit organizations, tribal employers, multinational corporations, and business start-up companies. Ms. McGuire negotiates all types of plan service provider contracts, including administrative services agreements for self-insured group health plans, flexible spending account administration, investment agreements for separate segregated funds and pooled investment vehicles. She regularly drafts a variety of benefit plan-related documents, including plans, summary plan descriptions, policies and procedures, plan amendments, required notices, IRS determination letter applications, QDRO determinations, and QMCSO determinations. Ms. McGuire has significant experience representing clients in Department of Labor audits and investigations. Over the years, she has represented a countless number of clients in IRS employee plan compliance resolution system filings and IRS determination letter applications. Ms. McGuire provides strategic counsel on mergers, acquisitions, plant closings, benefit plan termination, and withdrawal liability associated with multiemployer fringe benefit funds.
Before joining Butzel, Lynn McGuire was a partner in a private practice, providing services to various fiduciaries including fringe benefit fund sponsors and Boards. She managed complex civil litigation matters, including ERISA-based fiduciary liability claims, prohibited transactions, and pension investment litigation.
Lynn McGuire was named to the 2014 and 2017-2021 list of peer-voted "Top Lawyers" by dBusiness magazine. She has also earned a Certificate in Global Benefits Management and a Certificate of Achievement in Canadian Benefit Plans from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.
Ms. McGuire is admitted to practice in the States of Ohio and Michigan. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bars of Michigan and Ohio, the Greater Ann Arbor Society for Human Resource Managers, and previously served on the Board of the Washtenaw Area Council for Children.
Speaking Engagements
"Employee Benefits Aspects of Mergers & Acquisitions," State Bar of Michigan, Taxation Section, September 19, 2017
Published Works
"Rules Change for Wellness Programs." Employee Benefit Plan Review, Volume 71, Number 3, September 2016, pages 7-8
Primary Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
Notre Dame Law School 1997, J.D.
University of Michigan - Dearborn 1993, B.A. with distinction
Admissions
- Michigan
- Ohio
Memberships
- State Bar of Michigan
- American Bar Association
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Washtenaw Area Council for Children - Past Board Member
- The Greater Ann Arbor Society for Human Resources
- Butzel Long Womens Leadership Committee
Awards & Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
DBusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Employee Benefits Law, 2014, 2017-2023
Certificate in Global Benefits Management (International Foundation Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans)
Certificate of Achievement in Canadian Benefit Plans (International Foundation Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans)
Michigan Super Lawyers, Employee Benefits, 2017 & 2018
Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, 2018-2022
The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2023