John D. Arendshorst

Employee Benefits Attorney

John leads the firm’s Employee Benefits Team. He counsels employee benefit plan sponsors with respect to ERISA and IRS requirements for 401(k) plans, ESOPs and other defined contribution plans, defined benefit plans, cash balance plans, and deferred compensation arrangements. John also advises clients on employee benefits issues in the context of corporate transactions, including qualified plan compliance issues, change-in-control agreements, continuation of health coverage and golden parachute payments under Section 280G. John is experienced in negotiating and drafting executive employment agreements and incentive plans on behalf of employers and executives, and advises clients with regard to compliance with Section 409A. John also partners with companies to implement succession planning strategies, including creation of employee stock ownership plans and trusts to purchase employer stock.

In addition, John helps businesses with issues regarding health and welfare plan design, Affordable Care Act implementation and compliance, and consumer-driven health arrangements, including high deductible health plans, health savings accounts, health reimbursement accounts, and wellness programs. He regularly advises clients with respect to claims procedures, medical and disability appeals, plan documentation, summary plan descriptions and other disclosures, third-party provider agreements, flexible benefits arrangements, taxation of dependent coverage, and subrogation and reimbursement, as well as portability, nondiscrimination and privacy matters arising under HIPAA.

Honors and Recognitions

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Employee Benefits Law, since 2019

Best Lawyers in America®, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, since 2024

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Michigan, Taxation Section, Employee Benefits Committee, since 2017

Community Involvement

Adoption and Foster Care Mentoring, 2006 – 2007

Center for Disability and Elder Law: Young Professionals Board, 2011 – 2012

City of East Grand Rapids, Commissioner, 2019 – 2023

East Grand Rapids Community Foundation Board, 2019 – 2022

East Grand Rapids Planning Commission, 2015 – 2023

East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Commission, 2022 – 2023

Grand Rapids Area Professionals for Excellence, since 2015

Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Health Care and Human Resources Committee, since 2017

Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, since 2021

IRS Great Lakes TE/GE Council, since 2017

Minds Matter Mentoring, 2007 – 2010

West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition, Board, since 2019