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Michael W. Arseneault

Senior Counsel
Michael W. Arseneault's headshot
Michael W. Arseneault Senior Counsel

Michael Arseneault counsels employers and individuals in all facets of executive compensation and employee benefits matters.

Michael advises companies and executives on the establishment, administration and continuing compliance of qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, health and welfare benefit plans and executive compensation arrangements. He counsels clients regarding compliance with the Internal Revenue Code, ERISA, PBGC, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA and securities laws and provides advice relating to legislative and regulatory changes. Additionally, he oversees governmental and internal plan audits and investigations. Michael’s practice also includes corporate transactions, benefits claims and litigation. Michael also advises clients in connection with private company employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). 
Prior to joining Morrison Cohen, Michael served as director and counsel in the Global Compensation & Benefits Legal Group of Merck & Co., Inc. He was previously vice president and counsel in the Corporate legal group at CBS Corporation, where he oversaw employee benefits matters. Michael was an employee benefits and executive compensation attorney at several major law firms, including most recently at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Davis & Gilbert LLP.

Experience

Prior to joining Morrison Cohen

  • In-house experience at Merck and CBS:
    • Served as counsel and secretary to benefit plan administrative and investment committees.
    • Guided committee members on fiduciary matters, including those relating to the investment of plan assets in multi-billion-dollar plan trusts.
    • Served on Board of Trustees of Taft-Hartley health fund.
    • Devised employee benefits strategy for multi-billion dollar acquisitions and divestitures.
    • Conducted due diligence, negotiated related provisions of transaction agreements and advised on post-closing integration and executive compensation issues, including those arising under Internal Revenue Code sections 409A and 280G.

Professional Activities

Member, Association of the Bar of the City of New York

Member, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans

Michael W. Arseneault's headshot

Practices

Education

  • Columbia Business School, M.B.A.
  • Fordham University School of Law, J.D.
  • Georgetown Public Policy Institute, Georgetown University, M.P.P.
  • Georgetown University, College of Arts and Sciences, A.B.

Bar Admissions

  • New York

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