Jim Griffin, Of Counsel at our Dallas law office
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Jim Griffin

Of Counsel
Biography

Jim Griffin provides legal counsel to employers and executives with tax-related matters involving 401(k) and retirement plans, health plans, Section 125 cafeteria plans, and Section 409A deferred compensation plans. With over 30 years of experience, he excels at resolving issues with problematic plans and handling audits and inquiries from the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor. Jim advises fiduciaries and investment managers on ERISA compliance, including guidance with Committee governance, charter creation, meeting management, and record-keeping. His clients depend on his practical, easy-to-understand solutions and clear counsel. He is dedicated to helping clients navigate challenges in employee benefits and executive compensation so they may deliver effective and beneficial solutions.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Texas


Court Admissions

  • United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • United States District Court, Northern District of Texas
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Tax Court


Education

  • Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
  • Texas Tech University (B.A., Business Administration, summa cum laude)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2025); Tax Law (2025)
  • Chambers USA
    • (Band 2) Ranked in Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation
  • Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine (2024)

Representative Experience

  • Advising employers on 401(K) third-party administrator and recordkeeper agreements.
  • Representation in connection with IRS audit of private investments in an individual retirement account.
  • Numerous Department of Labor investigations including late deposit of 401(K) contributions and Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (VFCP) filings.
  • Advising fiduciaries and investment managers on ERISA compliance issues, including Committee management, charters, meetings, and minutes.
  • Working with employers using government self-correction programs, including the IRS’ Employee Plans Compliance Resolution Program (EPCRS), Voluntary Compliance Program (VCP), and the Department of Labor’s Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program (DFVCP).
  • Working with individuals and executives on various tax driven issues in executive plans and employment agreements, including 409A.

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • American Bar Association
    • Section of Taxation, Employee Benefits Committee
  •  Texas Bar Association
    • Section of Taxation, Employee Benefits Committee, Co-Chair
  • Dallas Bar Association
    • Employee Benefits Committee, Former Chair
  • Southwest Benefits Association
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow

Community Involvement

  • Broadway Dallas
    • Advisory Board Member
  • First Dallas Media, 90.9 FM
    • Board Member
  • Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law
    • Executive Board Member
  • Southwestern Medical Foundation
    • Estate Planning Council Member
  • Joint TEGE Council
    • Gulf Coast Chapter Member
  • McKinney Avenue Transit Authority
    • Board Member
  • First Baptist Church Dallas
    • Music Ministry, Orchestra Member
  • Dallas Regional Chamber
    • Leadership Dallas, Class of 2003

Representative Presentations and Publications

  • “Employee Benefits Unveiled: Crucial Compliance Nuggets You Didn’t Know You Needed,” Co-Presenter, Snell & Wilmer CLE Webinar Series (June 4, 2024)
  • 2024 Whitley Penn Employee Benefit Plans Conference, Speaker (May 14, 2024)
  • ESG & ERISA:  Has the Pendulum Stopped Swinging?  Dallas Bar Association (Spring 2024)
  • ERISA and ESG:  Catching Up to the Swinging Pendulum, Dallas Bar Association (Spring 2023)