IAML
Certificate in Employee Benefits Law

Benefits law judgment for the plan decisions HR has to get right.

A practical 4½-day, attorney-led certificate program for benefits professionals, HR and total rewards teams, legal-adjacent reviewers, compliance partners, and plan administrators responsible for ERISA, retirement plans, welfare benefits, claims, appeals, fiduciary duties, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and participant communications.

Why this program

Built for benefits decisions that do not stay in one lane.

Benefits law questions often combine plan terms, fiduciary obligations, agency rules, vendor inputs, employee communications, and litigation-sensitive records. The Certificate in Employee Benefits Law helps participants recognize the legal issues earlier and make cleaner plan-administration decisions.

At a glance

This is a full 4½-day IAML certificate program, not a short seminar. Complete the full program to earn the IAML Certificate in Employee Benefits Law, or attend an individual block when a narrower retirement, claims, or welfare-benefits issue is the immediate need.

Earlier
Spot ERISA and fiduciary risk before the record is fixed.

Recognize when plan administration, communications, vendor decisions, or claims handling can create preventable exposure.

Clearer
Connect technical rules to practical next steps.

Translate retirement plan, welfare benefit, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and claims rules into actions a benefits team can document and explain.

Safer
Improve plan-risk decisions across teams.

Build a shared vocabulary for benefits, HR, compliance, legal-adjacent reviewers, and plan administrators.

Curriculum / training path

A 4½-day certificate path across retirement plans, claims and appeals, and welfare benefits.

The curriculum follows the way benefits issues appear in practice: plan design and administration, defensible claims decisions, fiduciary duties, health and welfare compliance, participant communications, and correction or audit issues.

Block I · Monday & Tuesday

Retirement Plans Mastery

Navigate ERISA, fiduciary rules, and plan administration with confidence

$1,375 individually · included in the full certificate
Block IERISAPlan administrationCompliance
01Master the Regulatory Landscape
Navigate Title I and Title II, understand agency jurisdiction

ERISA fundamentals; Plan qualification requirements; The alphabet soup decoded; Regulatory agency roadmap.

02Protect Yourself and Your Plan
Identify violations before they happen, understand exemptions and protections

Expense management; Prohibited transactions; Investment liability; 404(c) protection.

03Handle Daily Operations
Set up loan programs, process QDROs, and manage contributions properly

Participant loans; Salary deferrals; Blackout periods; Section 204(h) notices.

Block II · Wednesday

Claims, Appeals & Litigation

Handle benefit claims and protect your plan from litigation

$575 individually · included in the full certificate
Block IIERISAPlan administrationCompliance
01Build Bulletproof Procedures
Know which plans ERISA covers and maintain proper documentation

Plan coverage determination; Documentation requirements; Reporting obligations; State law navigation.

02Make Defensible Decisions
Establish DOL-compliant procedures and create winning administrative records

Claims procedures; Decision documentation; Disability claims; Appeal processes.

03Minimize Your Liability Risk
Know who the fiduciaries are and protect your plan's rights

Fiduciary identification; Investment duties; Reimbursement rights; Anti-cutback compliance.

Block III · Thursday & Friday

Welfare Benefits Plan Issues

Navigate ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and the alphabet soup of H&W compliance

$975 individually · included in the full certificate
Block IIIERISAPlan administrationCompliance
01Get the Basics Right
Know which welfare plans are subject to ERISA and establish compliant procedures

Coverage determination; Reporting and disclosure; Plan funding rules; Claims procedures.

02Navigate Reform Requirements
Understand play-or-pay rules and handle Forms 1094 and 1095 correctly

Employer mandate; Coverage affordability; Reporting requirements; Compliance deadlines.

03Protect Health Information
Understand what PHI you can access and structure compliant BAAs

Privacy rules for plan sponsors; Business associate agreements; Security standards; Breach notification.

Who should attend

For professionals responsible for benefits decisions, not just benefits paperwork.

The program is designed for people who need practical legal fluency when benefits decisions affect plan risk, participant communications, compliance obligations, and escalation choices.

Benefits
Benefits and total rewards professionalsBuild deeper grounding in ERISA, retirement plans, welfare benefits, fiduciary duties, claims, appeals, and participant communications.
HR
HR business partners and compliance teamsUnderstand benefits-law issues that intersect with leave, accommodations, health coverage, COBRA, HIPAA, and employee communication.
Legal-adjacent
Reviewers who coordinate with counselAsk sharper questions, prepare cleaner facts, and know when claims, plan documents, or fiduciary questions need escalation.
Plan admin
Professionals managing vendors and plan operationsStrengthen daily plan-administration judgment across documentation, corrections, audits, distributions, and claims records.
Dates & in-person sessions

Choose the in-person session that fits your schedule and approval path.

Employee Benefits Law is available as an in-person certificate program. Register for a scheduled city/date or request a team-fit conversation if several people share benefits-law responsibilities.

Certificate outcome

Complete the full 4½-day program to earn the IAML Certificate in Employee Benefits Law. Individual blocks may be taken separately when a focused retirement, claims, or welfare-benefits issue is the immediate need.

April 20–24, 2026
Atlanta

In-person certificate session

Register
September 14–18, 2026
Austin

In-person certificate session

Register
April 19–23, 2027
Atlanta, Georgia

In-person certificate session

Register
Need a future date?
In-person only

Ask IAML about upcoming in-person sessions

Send program details
Full certificate

Complete the 4½-day Certificate in Employee Benefits Law.

$2,375full program
Individual blocks

Retirement Plans, Claims/Appeals/Litigation, and Welfare Benefits may be taken separately.

By blockbased on path
Team planning

Use the team-fit path when multiple people need the same foundation.

Discussdate and fit

Need to send this for internal approval?

Ask for a concise overview, dates, curriculum notes, and team-fit language you can forward to a manager, legal reviewer, procurement partner, or training sponsor.

Faculty

Featured faculty include practicing benefits-law attorneys and ERISA specialists.

The Employee Benefits Law faculty data includes counsel with experience in ERISA litigation, retirement plans, health and welfare plans, fiduciary duties, audits, executive compensation, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and plan governance.

ERISA and plan administration

Retirement, welfare, fiduciary, and correction experience.

Claims and litigation perspective

Administrative records, appeals, standards of review, and defensible decisions.

Health and welfare compliance

ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, HSAs, participant communications, and vendor oversight.

George Cicotte, Esq.

George Cicotte, Esq.

Founder, Cicotte Law Firm

George brings a rare combination to ERISA work: he started as a pension actuary before becoming an attorney. For over 30 years, he has guided employers through retirement plan design, fiduciary duties, HIPAA/COBRA compliance, and ERISA litigation defense.

Dominic DeMatties, Esq.

Dominic DeMatties, Esq.

Partner, Thompson Hine LLP

Dominic advises on ESOPs, 401(k) plans, cash balance designs, and multiemployer plans—representing clients before the DOL, IRS, and PBGC. A former U.S. Treasury attorney-advisor, he shaped national policy on hybrid pensions and deferred compensation before returning to private practice.

Doug Hinson, Esq.

Doug Hinson, Esq.

Senior Counsel, Alston & Bird LLP

Doug defends Fortune 500 companies, government entities, and nonprofits in high-stakes ERISA class actions—401(k) fee disputes, employer stock cases, and pension litigation. A seasoned mediator and arbitrator, he brings decades of courtroom experience to the most complex benefits battles.

Carolyn Trenda, Esq.

Carolyn Trenda, Esq.

Partner, McGuireWoods

Carolyn designs and administers retirement plans—401(k), 403(b), pensions, and ESOPs—while advising on health plan compliance, COBRA, and HIPAA. She guides employers through IRS and DOL audits, M&A benefits issues, and ERISA fiduciary obligations.

John Hickman, Esq.

John Hickman, Esq.

Partner, Alston & Bird LLP

John leads Alston & Bird's Health Benefits Practice, guiding clients through ACA compliance, HIPAA, HSAs, and consumer-driven health care. A Chambers Band 1 attorney and Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year," he shapes policy as head of ECFC's Technical Advisory Committee.

Leah Morgan Singleton, Esq.

Leah Morgan Singleton, Esq.

Assistant Secretary & Corporate Counsel, NCR Atleos

Leah advises on executive compensation, ERISA plans, and Section 409A compliance—including stock options, deferred compensation, and change-in-control arrangements. At NCR Atleos, she guides the design and governance of retirement, health, and equity-based incentive programs.

Ashley Gillihan, Esq.

Ashley Gillihan, Esq.

Partner, Alston & Bird LLP

Ashley advises employers, plan administrators, and financial institutions on health and welfare plan compliance and ERISA litigation. A recognized authority on benefits law, he serves on the ECFC Technical Advisory Council and is listed in Best Lawyers in America® for ERISA.

Social proof

Benefits professionals value practical instruction they can apply back at work.

The benefits-law data includes direct participant feedback from benefits administrators, HR leaders, attorneys, and plan analysts on the usefulness, depth, and instructor quality of the program.

Participants
80,000+

Professionals have completed IAML certificate and workplace-law programs.

Program

Days of certificate-level benefits-law training, not a short seminar.

Instruction

Attorney-led

Practicing benefits-law instructors connect complex rules to plan decisions.

“IAML once again surpassed my expectations. The seminar was awesome and the degree of information presented to our group was so valuable. I applaud IAML for finding the experts in the various fields and making them available to us. I can hardly wait until the next seminar!”

Bianca Olivarria

HR Technician & Disability Management SpecialistImperial Irrigation District

“It was great learning the information, but also very useful hearing from others attending the class. I learned a wealth of information.”

Brittney Viator

Benefits AdministratorFJ Management, Inc.

“The instructors did a fantastic job of presenting the information and maintaining participant engagement.”

Sandy Lovett

Human Resources GeneralistThiele Kaolin Company

“All compensation and benefits professionals should consider this seminar. There is a large volume of valuable information presented in an effective, dynamic setting. The speakers are certainly well-equipped and are very attuned to the needs of the class members.”

Todd Hanson

Corporate Human Resources ManagerPrintpack, Inc.

“Instructors were very good and well versed in subject matter. They offered to help and provide materials outside of the seminar.”

Brian Wagner

AttorneyMateer & Harbert

“I absolutely loved the instructors! The course provided so much valuable information.”

Emily Ruelle

Human Resources GeneralistTableau Software Inc.

“IAML once again surpassed my expectations. The seminar was awesome and the degree of information presented to our group was so valuable. I applaud IAML for finding the experts in the various fields and making them available to us. I can hardly wait until the next seminar!”

Bianca Olivarria

HR Technician & Disability Management SpecialistImperial Irrigation District

“It was great learning the information, but also very useful hearing from others attending the class. I learned a wealth of information.”

Brittney Viator

Benefits AdministratorFJ Management, Inc.

“The instructors did a fantastic job of presenting the information and maintaining participant engagement.”

Sandy Lovett

Human Resources GeneralistThiele Kaolin Company

“All compensation and benefits professionals should consider this seminar. There is a large volume of valuable information presented in an effective, dynamic setting. The speakers are certainly well-equipped and are very attuned to the needs of the class members.”

Todd Hanson

Corporate Human Resources ManagerPrintpack, Inc.

“Instructors were very good and well versed in subject matter. They offered to help and provide materials outside of the seminar.”

Brian Wagner

AttorneyMateer & Harbert

“I absolutely loved the instructors! The course provided so much valuable information.”

Emily Ruelle

Human Resources GeneralistTableau Software Inc.

FAQ

Questions benefits, HR, compliance, and plan-administration teams ask before attending.

Confirm the program level, 4½-day in-person structure, credits, individual blocks, and team options before choosing a date.

What happens after I register?

Within minutes, you'll receive an invoice email. Once payment is processed, you can schedule your complimentary pre-program consultation (10-15 minutes) to discuss your specific benefits administration challenges and identify which regulatory topics will have the biggest impact for your organization. Pre-program materials arrive one week before your session starts.

Can I attend individual blocks instead of the full program?

Yes. While most participants get the best value from the complete 4½-day program, you can register for individual blocks based on your immediate needs. Block I (Retirement Plans Mastery) is $1,375, Block II (Claims, Appeals & Litigation) is $575, and Block III (Health & Welfare Benefits) is $975. The full program at $2,375 saves you $550 versus purchasing all blocks separately.

Is Employee Benefits Law available virtually or on demand?

No. The Certificate in Employee Benefits Law is offered only as an in-person program. The in-person format supports face-to-face discussion with practicing ERISA attorney instructors, peer questions, and the applied benefits-law judgment the program is designed to build.

What continuing education credits will I earn?

The complete program provides 29.75 SHRM/HRCI/CLE credits. Plus, your enrollment includes 12 months of quarterly employment law updates (4 sessions × 1.5 credits each = 6 additional credits), bringing your total to 35.75 credits. That's more than most professionals earn in two years.

Is this program for HR professionals or benefits specialists?

Both. HR generalists gain the ERISA and ACA compliance knowledge to manage benefits without constantly escalating to outside counsel. Benefits specialists and administrators get deeper expertise in fiduciary rules, nondiscrimination testing, and claims litigation. Many organizations also send in-house counsel who advise on benefits matters. The program is designed to be valuable whether you touch benefits daily or manage them as part of a broader HR role.

I manage our 401(k) plan but don't handle health benefits. Should I attend the full program?

Consider your exposure. If you only administer retirement plans, Block I (Retirement Plans Mastery) and Block II (Claims, Appeals & Litigation) cover ERISA fiduciary rules, plan corrections, and benefits litigation defense. However, many 401(k) administrators also get questions about health plan issues, and the full program provides context that helps you understand the complete benefits landscape. The pre-program consultation can help you decide which blocks are essential for your situation.

How technical is the content? Do I need a legal background?

No legal background required. The program is designed for benefits professionals who need practical compliance knowledge, not law school theory. You'll learn how to handle fiduciary obligations, pass nondiscrimination tests, process QDROs, navigate ACA reporting, and defend benefits claims. Our instructors translate complex ERISA regulations into actionable procedures you can implement Monday morning.

Does the $2,375 program fee include everything?

Yes. Your enrollment includes all live instruction from practicing ERISA attorneys, complete program materials, 29.75 continuing education credits, pre-program consultation, 12 months of quarterly employment law updates (4 sessions, $1,588 value), permanent access to updated benefits resources, and alumni benefits for all future programs. Because this program is offered in person only, travel and lodging are separate.

Next Steps

Ready to strengthen benefits-law judgment?

Register for the certificate program, send a short overview for approval, or ask whether this path fits your benefits, HR, legal, compliance, or plan-administration team.

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