J. Thomas (Tom) Cristy
- Seattle
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For more than 35 years, Tom has advised clients on employee benefits, ERISA, and executive compensation matters.
Tom Cristy drafts and reviews employee benefit plans and counsels clients on employee benefits and executive compensation. This includes ERISA; qualified plans (pension, profit-sharing, 401(k), and employee stock ownership plans); nonqualified deferred compensation; supplemental executive retirement plans; COBRA, health, and other welfare benefit plans; cafeteria plans; fringe benefits; and fiduciary compliance.
Tom also assists clients with Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Department of Labor audits and employee benefits litigation and advises clients on employee benefits aspects of merger, acquisition, disposition, and financing transactions.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D., cum laude, Order of the Coif, Managing Editor, Michigan Yearbook of International Legal Studies, 1988
- University of Wisconsin, B.B.A., Accounting and Data Processing, magna cum laude, 1982
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
Related Employment
- Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee, WI, Associate, 1988-1992
- Ernst & Young, Minneapolis, MN, Senior Auditor, 1982-1985
Professional Recognition
Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2005-2025
Listed in Washington Law & Politics, “Washington’s Super Lawyers,” 2010-2014
Impact
Professional Leadership
- American Bar Association, Tax Section
- Western Pension and Benefits Conference, Member
- Seattle Pension Roundtable, Member
- Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants