Mark B. Koogler

Introduction / Overview

In today's complex corporate landscape, the design, implementation, and compliance of employee benefits and executive compensation programs are critical for attracting and retaining talent, managing financial liabilities, and adhering to intricate regulatory frameworks. For businesses and organizations across Ohio, navigating these specialized legal areas requires highly knowledgeable and experienced counsel. Mark B. Koogler stands as a preeminent attorney in Columbus, Ohio, with a dedicated focus on employee benefits and executive compensation. He provides invaluable legal guidance to employers, fiduciaries, and plan sponsors, ensuring their programs are compliant, competitive, and strategically aligned with their business objectives.

Mr. Koogler's practice encompasses a wide array of benefits-related matters, including qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, executive compensation agreements, and health and welfare benefit plans, all while meticulously addressing ERISA compliance and other relevant federal and state regulations. He understands that the intricacies of benefits law can have significant financial and operational impacts on a company. Therefore, his approach is not just about legal adherence but about delivering practical, proactive solutions that help clients navigate audits, resolve disputes, and maintain robust benefits programs. For any Ohio employer or fiduciary seeking expert and reliable advice on employee benefits and executive compensation, Mark B. Koogler offers the depth of knowledge and dedicated support necessary to succeed in this highly regulated field.

Location and Accessibility

Mark B. Koogler's office is conveniently located at 41 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA. This prime address positions his practice in the bustling heart of downtown Columbus, offering exceptional accessibility for clients across the city and throughout the broader Ohio region. Situated on South High Street, the office is in a prominent and easily recognizable building, often associated with the Huntington Center, within Columbus's central business district.

The downtown Columbus area boasts excellent transportation infrastructure, making it convenient for clients whether they opt to drive or utilize public transportation. Its proximity to major highways like I-70 and I-71 ensures straightforward access from various parts of Columbus and surrounding communities. For those arriving by car, numerous parking facilities, including garages and metered street parking, are readily available nearby, adding to the convenience for visitors. This strategic location underscores Mr. Koogler's commitment to providing accessible and efficient legal support to Ohio businesses, ensuring that expert employee benefits and executive compensation counsel is within easy reach when it's needed most.

Services Offered

Mark B. Koogler provides comprehensive legal services concentrated on employee benefits and executive compensation, primarily assisting employers, fiduciaries, and plan sponsors. His key service areas include:

• Qualified Retirement Plans: He advises on the design, implementation, and administration of various qualified retirement plans, including 401(k) plans, pension plans, profit-sharing plans, and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), ensuring compliance with ERISA and IRS regulations.
• Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans: Mr. Koogler provides counsel on non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements, which are often used for executive benefits, ensuring they meet the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and other relevant laws.
• Executive Compensation Agreements: He drafts and negotiates executive compensation agreements, including employment agreements, severance agreements, and change-in-control provisions, for key personnel.
• Health and Welfare Benefit Plans: Mr. Koogler advises on the legal aspects of health and welfare plans, such as health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability plans, including compliance with ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
• ERISA Compliance: A central part of his practice involves ensuring compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), advising on fiduciary duties, reporting and disclosure requirements, and prohibited transactions.
• Department of Labor (DOL) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Audits: He represents clients during audits and investigations by federal agencies like the DOL and IRS concerning their employee benefit plans, helping to resolve compliance issues and mitigate penalties.
• Mergers, Acquisitions, and Divestitures: Mr. Koogler advises on employee benefits aspects of corporate transactions, ensuring a smooth transition and integration of benefit plans during mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
• Plan Terminations: He assists clients with the complex process of terminating employee benefit plans, ensuring all legal requirements are met.
• Fiduciary Training: Mr. Koogler may provide training to plan fiduciaries on their responsibilities and best practices under ERISA, helping to reduce personal liability.
• Affordable Care Act (ACA) Compliance: He offers guidance on employer obligations under the ACA, including reporting requirements and employer shared responsibility provisions.

Features / Highlights

Mark B. Koogler’s professional career is distinguished by several significant features and highlights that underscore his expertise and respected standing within the Ohio legal community, particularly in the specialized field of employee benefits and executive compensation:

• Deep Specialization in Benefits Law: A key highlight is Mr. Koogler's focused expertise in employee benefits and executive compensation. This deep specialization means clients receive counsel from an attorney who is entirely immersed in the intricacies of ERISA, tax laws governing plans, and the evolving regulatory landscape of compensation.
• Experienced with Complex Regulations: He possesses extensive experience in navigating the complex web of federal laws that govern employee benefits, including ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, COBRA, HIPAA, and the ACA. His ability to interpret and apply these regulations is critical for employers.
• Proactive Compliance Strategy: Mr. Koogler is known for providing proactive guidance that helps employers design compliant and competitive benefit plans, thereby minimizing the risk of audits, penalties, or costly litigation. This forward-thinking approach is invaluable for long-term business stability.
• Reputation for Practical Advice: Clients appreciate his ability to translate complex legal requirements into practical, actionable advice that directly supports their business objectives while ensuring legal adherence.
• Assists with High-Stakes Audits and Investigations: His experience in representing clients before the DOL and IRS during audits and investigations is a significant advantage, demonstrating his capability to handle high-stakes regulatory scrutiny.
• Comprehensive Plan Lifecycle Support: From initial design and implementation to ongoing compliance and even plan termination, Mr. Koogler provides comprehensive legal support throughout the entire lifecycle of employee benefit plans.
• Strong Educational Background: Holding a J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law and an LL.M. in Taxation (Employee Benefits) from Georgetown University Law Center, Mr. Koogler possesses a robust academic foundation specifically tailored to his practice area, further enhancing his expertise.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a highly experienced and specialized attorney focusing on employee benefits and executive compensation, Mark B. Koogler does not typically engage in "promotions" or "special offers" in the manner of consumer retail services. His services are premium, tailored legal counsel for complex and often high-stakes issues related to workforce compensation and benefits. The value he provides stems from his extensive legal expertise, strategic insight, and proven ability to navigate intricate regulatory frameworks to help businesses design, implement, and maintain compliant and competitive programs. Legal fees are structured based on the specific complexities of each matter, the time and resources required, and the strategic value delivered.

Prospective clients, primarily employers and fiduciaries in Ohio, are encouraged to contact his office directly for a confidential consultation. This allows for a thorough discussion of their specific legal challenges, an understanding of how Mr. Koogler’s expertise aligns with their business objectives, and a transparent overview of the fee structure relevant to their unique situation. His commitment is to delivering exceptional legal guidance and achieving the best possible results, which is his ultimate "offer" to businesses in Ohio.

Contact Information

For employers, fiduciaries, and plan sponsors throughout Ohio seeking expert legal counsel in employee benefits and executive compensation, Mark B. Koogler's office can be reached using the following contact details:

• Address: 41 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
• Phone: (614) 227-2133
• Mobile Phone: +1 614-227-2133

It is recommended to call during standard business hours to schedule a confidential consultation or to inquire about his services. His team will be able to assist with setting up an appointment and providing preliminary information to ensure your inquiry is directed appropriately and efficiently.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For employers, plan fiduciaries, and businesses operating within Ohio, Mark B. Koogler offers an exceptionally suitable and highly valuable legal resource for all matters related to employee benefits and executive compensation. His suitability for local clients is deeply rooted in his specialized expertise, his proactive approach to compliance, and his commitment to supporting the strategic objectives of Ohio businesses.

Firstly, Mr. Koogler's singular focus on employee benefits and executive compensation law means that Ohio businesses have access to an attorney who is deeply immersed in the nuances of ERISA, IRS regulations, and other federal and state laws governing these complex areas. This specialized knowledge is critical for designing, maintaining, and administering benefit plans that are both competitive for attracting talent and fully compliant, protecting local companies from potential liabilities.

Secondly, his ability to provide proactive compliance counseling and represent clients during high-stakes audits by the DOL and IRS offers significant peace of mind to Ohio employers. Navigating these regulatory challenges effectively can save businesses substantial time, resources, and potential penalties, directly benefiting their bottom line and operational stability within the state.

Thirdly, his expertise in areas like qualified and non-qualified plans, as well as executive agreements, allows Ohio businesses to structure compensation packages that are attractive to top talent while also being tax-efficient and legally sound. This strategic counsel supports the growth and competitiveness of local businesses in attracting and retaining key employees.

Finally, his central location in Columbus, Ohio's capital and a major business hub, provides convenient accessibility for employers throughout the state. This geographic positioning facilitates seamless consultations and efficient management of complex benefits issues. In essence, Mark B. Koogler is more than just a lawyer; he is a strategic partner for Ohio businesses, offering the specialized knowledge, proactive advice, and robust advocacy necessary to navigate today's intricate employee benefits and executive compensation landscape effectively and confidently.