ERISA Consulting and Risk Management

ERISA consultant and mediator John Koss is known for his high level of proficiency and effectiveness for businesses in the Bay Area and throughout northern California’s Silicon Valley. To schedule a consultation with him on ERISA matters or disputes, or to learn about his ERISA Risk Management practice, contact John Koss.

Focus on ERISA Risk Management

A large part of the focus of John Koss’s practice is ERISA consulting and mediation of employment disputes, particularly those related to employee benefit plans. He assists employers, administrators, and trustees involved in disputes regarding ERISA, FMLA and other leaves of absence, COBRA, HIPAA, and severance packages through mediation and conflict management.

Even when a lawsuit is not imminent, the potential for costly claims, appeals and requests for complex and confidential information is greater than it ever has in the last twenty years. The recent Supreme Court's decision in LaRue v. DeWolff, Boberg & Associates, Inc., (___ U.S. ___, 2008 U.S. LEXIS 2014) underscores the risks and liability involved. In the case of benefit plan administration, prevention strategy and risk management are especially critical since the personal liability of fiduciaries is at stake.

Applying Best Practices of Project Management as Mediator

As an ERISA consultant or mediator, Mr. Koss is truly a third-party neutral at any workplace or employment management enterprise. He has keen familiarity with project management “best practices” in the area of employee benefit plan administration and related matters.

He utilizes proven techniques of evaluating conflicts and working to resolve them in a timely and satisfactory fashion. In a related vein, he assists employers and employee groups in managing conflict in the workplace through audit and training sessions.

Of course, all consulting, auditing and mediation services are performed with the assurance of maximum confidentiality. Since Mr. Koss prefers to collaborate with in-house counsel, every effort is made to assert the attorney-client privilege, as appropriate.

A Fresh Perspective

Unlike in-house counsel or a member of a company’s Human Resources (“HR”) Team, Mr. Koss is not a stakeholder and does not have a particular interest in the resolution of an internal dispute, and therefore is able to bring a fresh perspective to the table. Satisfied clients of San Francisco employment mediator John Koss often express their thanks with words such as these:

• “Thank goodness you took on this case when you did - you saved us a lot of future headaches.”
• “Your take on this situation was unique and insightful; we would have never thought of that.”
• “Your brainstorming sessions with our functional managers helped to keep our project on track. That’s a first for this group!”
• “You diffused a potentially awful situation with ease.”
• “Not only did our employees appreciate your insight, sensitivity and diplomatic approach, they were pleased and a little bit amazed that you promptly returned their phone calls the very same day.”
• “We never thought we could successfully manage a distributed team across six time zones, but you showed us how. You’ll be back here next year, especially since we are planning to expand to a seventh time zone!”

To schedule a consultation on the California employment mediation and conflict management services of San Francisco mediator John Koss, contact his office by phone or by e-mail through this Web site.