Harley L. Bjelland is the sole owner of The ERISA Law Firm where he focuses on ERISA, employee benefits, and executive compensation. With over three decades of experience practicing employment law in California, Mr. Bjelland provides his clients with rich perspective and creative solutions to effectively respond to their needs and achieve favorable results.
He represents public and private companies, law firms, municipalities, school districts, cities, counties, hospitals, tax-exempt organizations, and churches regarding the adoption, administration, operation, amendment, investment, and termination of employee benefit plans. Mr. Bjelland’s areas of emphasis include qualified retirement plans, including 401(k) plans, employee stock ownership plans, and defined benefit pension plans; health and welfare benefit plans, including medical, dental, disability, life and HSAs; and executive perquisites such as SERPs, non-qualified plans, Section 409A issues, stock, and other compensation.
CA License Active 1981 08/23/2016
Owner The ERISA Law Firm 2012 – Present
AVVO CONTRIBUTIONS
AWARDS
- Distinguished Service Western Pension Benefits Conference 2013
- ProVisors Group Leader of the Year 2015
- Ron Fields Merit Award 2013
ASSOCIATIONS
- ProVisors Group Leader 2009 – Present
- Orange County Bar Association Member
- American Bar Association Member
- State Bar of California Member
- Western Pension Benefits Conference
- Orange County Chapter Past President and Board of Directors
EDUCATION
- New York University School of Law LL.M – Master of Laws 1982
- Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University Law JD – Juris Doctor 1980
- University of California – Berkeley BA – Bachelor of Arts Political Science 1978
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- San Bernardino Estate Planning Council The New DOL Fiduciary Duty Rules 2016
- ProVisors HUMCA Panel on Employee Benefits 2016
- Orange County Bar Association – Small Practitioners Understanding Employee Benefits 2015
- ProVisors M&A3 ESOPs and Corporate Acquisitions 2014
- Western Pension and Benefits Conference The ABCs of Pension Law 2008 – 2012
- Human Capital Group Obama Care – Health Reform 2012
- Western Pension and Benefits Conference Fee Disclosure 2011
- Western Pension and Benefits Conference The ABCs of Pension Law 2011
- Western Pension and Benefits Conference Best Practices in Participant and
- Plan Service Provider Disclosures 2011
- ProVisors M&A 3 Group Meeting ESOPs Used in Corporate Acquisitions 2011
- Orange County Bar Association, Business and Corporate Law Section
- Employee Benefits in Mergers and Acquisitions 2011
- Western Pension and Benefits Conference ERISA Litigation 2010
- Western Pension and Benefits Conference Qualified Plan Audits 2010
- Western Pension and Benefits Conference The ABCs of Pension Law 2010
- John Wayne Airport ProVisors Group Meeting Obama Care – Health Reform 2010
- Western Pension and Benefits Conference Best Fiduciary Practices 2009
- Western Pension and Benefits Conference The ABCs of Pension Law 2009
- Employer’s Symposium The COBRA Subsidy 2009
- Western Pension and Benefits Conference The ABCs of Pension Law 2008
- National Western Pension and Benefits Conference Convention Fiduciary Liability 2003
- National Western Pension and Benefits Conference Convention ERISA Litigation 2001
- National Western Pension and Benefits Conference Convention Non-Qualified Retirement Plans 1998
