Employee Benefits for General Practitioners: Ten Rules that Every Attorney Should Know About ERISA

This article, written on the eve of the twentieth anniversary of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (' 'ERISA' '), is a primer for non-ERISA attorneys. Because ERISA is a complex statute that constantly changes, it may seem formidable to some practitioners. After all, at least according to legend, ERISA is an acronym for Every Ridiculous Idea Since Adam. But with a little guidance, ERISA issues that frequently arise in general practice can be handled with confidence. Fortunately, the Fifth Circuit's 1993-1994 term offers a good outline of issues for attorneys who do not frequently work in this area.