Julia Mader

Julia Mader provides strategic counsel on a broad range of employee benefits matters including plan design and administration, employee plan governance, and fiduciary obligations. She leverages a deep understanding of benefits administration to provide tailored, actionable advice on complex compliance issues and navigating the intricacies of the federal laws and regulatory frameworks governing employee benefit plans.

Julia advises employers on the full spectrum of health and welfare, fringe benefit, qualified retirement, and executive compensation matters, with significant experience under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and MHPAEA. She counsels on self‑funded health plan compliance, wellness programs and on‑site clinic strategy, high‑cost claim management, church plan and MEWA considerations, and the correction of plan errors through EPCRS and VFCP. Her experience also includes supporting clients through IRS and DOL audits, resolving ACA filing errors and IRS Employer Shared Responsibility Payment disputes, and advising on payroll tax treatment and Section 125 cafeteria plan compliance.

Julia supports mergers and acquisitions by conducting employee benefits diligence, identifying compliance risks, and advising on benefits and executive compensation terms. She has served as a subject matter expert in employee benefit plan litigation and regularly assists employers in navigating federal enforcement matters.

Her practice further includes drafting qualified, nonqualified, and health and welfare plan documents; preparing participant communications; and advising on benefits considerations in employment, bonus, severance, and PEO agreements.

Julia draws on early human resources experience and legal internships focused on employee benefits, employment, and corporate governance.

Board Member, Wisconsin Retirement Planning Professionals

Chair of Welfare Benefit Plans Committee, American Bar Association Section of Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law

Member, Greater Milwaukee Employee Benefits Council

Member, Association for Women Lawyers

Member, Wisconsin Bar Association

Member, Milwaukee Bar Association

In her practice, Julia focuses on:

• Ensuring plan compliance under the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA

• Advising on strategic compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), COBRA, Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

• Resolving concerns related to self-funded health plans

• Counseling on the strategic and compliance considerations associated with establishing and maintaining on-site clinics and wellness programs

• Advising on compliance considerations for church plans and multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs)

• Resolving disputes related to IRS Employer Shared Responsibility Payments

• Correcting plan failures in accordance with the IRS Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) and DOL Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (VFCP) procedures

• Providing strategic counsel on options for mitigating risks related to high-cost health claims

• Preparing participant communications such as summary plan descriptions

• Drafting qualified, non-qualified, and health and welfare employee benefit plans

• Advising on employee benefits compliance considerations associated with employment, bonus, separation/severance, and professional employer organization (PEO) agreements

Marquette University Law School

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)