Jennifer W. Stokes
Jennifer W. Stokes
Jennifer W. Stokes
Partner and Practice Leader - Employee Benefits
Biography
Jennifer Stokes regularly counsels clients on matters relating to qualified retirement plans, welfare benefit plans, fringe benefit plans and executive compensation. Ms. Stokes has represented clients in connection with Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor audits of employee benefit plans and compliance programs and in ERISA litigation.
Ms. Stokes counsels clients on issues relating to the design, drafting and administration of employee benefit plans. Ms. Stokes has negotiated and drafted employment agreements and executive compensation arrangements. She counsels clients in connection with the design and drafting of nonqualified deferred compensation and equity compensation arrangements. Ms. Stokes counsels clients on employee benefits issues in mergers and acquisitions and conducts due diligence, prepares documentation, negotiates provisions and advises on plan integration in connection with the transaction.
Ms. Stokes frequently lectures and writes on employee benefits topics. She has been an adjunct professor of law at Saint Louis University School of Law teaching employee benefits courses. Ms. Stokes has also served as the chair of the Employee Benefits Section of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.
Areas of Concentration: Qualified retirement plans, nonqualified deferred compensation, welfare benefit plans, executive compensation, equity compensation, employee benefits in corporate transactions, fringe benefit plans, cafeteria plans and ERISA litigation
Civic Involvement & Honors
- The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2018, 2020, 2023-2024)
- American Lung Association, Board Member
- The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, "Lawyer of the Year" (2022, 2023)
- Saint Louis University School of Law, Adjunct Professor (2005-2013)
- University City Arts and Letters Commission, Former Board Member
Professional Affiliations
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Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis – Employee Benefits Section, Chair, 2006-2007
- National Association of Public Pension Attorneys
Admissions
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Missouri, 1998
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United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
Education
Washington University, J.D., 1998
Vanderbilt University, B.A., 1995
Related Practice Areas
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Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
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Healthcare & Life Sciences
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Employment & Labor
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Investigations
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Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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Regulation, Compliance & Advisory
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Corporate
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Plan Design & Implementation
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Plan Administration & Fiduciary Issues
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Welfare Plans
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Interdisciplinary Privacy/HIPAA Practice
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Practice Before Government Agencies
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ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation
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International Pensions & Benefits Practice
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Association Health Plan Practice
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Pensions
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Share Plans & Incentives
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Executive & Deferred Compensation
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Higher Education Team
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Campus Free Expression
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Campus Compensation & Employee Benefits
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Cross-border Employment Issues
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