Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) can help business owners reward employees, plan for succession, and unlock significant tax advantages. Yet the legal and financial details of establishing or maintaining an ESOP can be complex. Bricker Graydon’s team provides practical, end-to-end guidance so companies, trustees, and lenders can implement ESOPs with confidence and long-term sustainability in mind.

Whether you are exploring an ESOP for the first time or need help fine-tuning an established plan, our attorneys bring experience across corporate, tax, finance, and employee benefits law.

We assist with the following:

• Evaluate feasibility and structure the ESOP to align with business goals
• Draft plan documents, trust agreements, and financing arrangements
• Navigate federal tax and ERISA compliance, reporting, and disclosure requirements
• Address repurchase obligations and distribution policies
• Advise on day-to-day administration, participant claims, and corrections

• Corporate governance and securities compliance during ESOP transactions
• Guidance to minimize fiduciary risk, including audit response and corrective strategies
• Representation in IRS and Department of Labor inquiries
• Assistance with shareholder or plan-level votes on significant corporate actions

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