PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYMENT, BENEFITS AND PENSIONS

For more than three decades, Thompson Coburn has counseled governmental entities on their relationships with public sector employees. The state of these relationships is even more critical given the current economic climate, which has left many public entities at a financial crossroads with respect to their retirement systems.

The challenges faced by public entities extend beyond employee benefits. Whatever the business needs of a governmental entity, Thompson Coburn can provide a wide range of legal services and a depth of experience that is unique among law firms. This broad experience makes it possible for us to quickly understand the needs of a new client and provide comprehensive market and historical context.

We represent many of the country's largest cities, as well as midsize and small governmental entities, in their public sector employee matters. For some governmental entities, we have served as the primary or regular outside counsel for more than 20 years. For others, our work is focused on developing an effective legal strategy for a specific transaction or operational matter. 

We draw on the experience of our attorneys in virtually all major areas of law to provide legal services across a variety of disciplines, including employee benefits, public law, litigation, labor and employment services, and investments. Our work includes matters as diverse as the design and implementation of public sector employee benefit plans to the negotiation and litigation of employee labor disputes.

Our experience in restructuring pension plans and dealing with pension liability and related litigation is particularly important in today's environment of underfunded plans. For example, we have served as counsel for the City of St. Louis in its efforts to redesign an underfunded and untenable pension plan for the city’s unionized firefighters. We have worked on similarly innovative approaches to pension reform with major public entities in New York, Austin, TX, Phoenix, AZ and Los Angeles, CA.

Our attorneys are also extensively involved in the representation of governmental entities in the investment of their pension funds. For these entities, we evaluate and determine the appropriateness of certain investments, offer counsel on the fiduciary duties of trustees with respect to investment programs, negotiate and document investment management arrangements, and handle any litigation stemming from failed investments.