Laurie Cross

Laurie Cross specializes in employee benefits, tax law and business law. Laurie provides guidance to individuals and entities primarily in personal services businesses, including attorneys, engineers, physicians, consultants, architects, retirement plan service providers, law firms and sales organizations.

Laurie graduated in May 2017 with Highest Honors from Golden Gate University School of Law, which she attended on a full tuition Dean’s Merit Scholarship. While at GGU Law, Laurie won the appellate advocacy moot court competition, was a member of the Moot Court Board and was on the Dean’s List. Laurie also was one of five graduating students to win the Scribes American Society of Legal Writers Award. As a member of GGU’s Environmental Law & Justice Clinic, Laurie argued and won a motion for attorneys’ fees in California Superior Court. Laurie was awarded five Witkin Awards for Academic Excellence and three Cali Excellence for the Future Awards in a range of subjects, including Writing & Research, Contracts, Wills & Trusts and Constitutional Law.

Laurie received her undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and is a member of the San Francisco Chapter of the Western Pension and Benefits Council and the Bar Association of San Francisco.

Laurie’s practice focuses on the following areas:

Retirement Planning

• Preparation of documents to implement and amend profit sharing, 401(k) (including Roth and automatic contribution features), defined benefit and cash balance plans and ESOPs
• Preparation of summary plan descriptions for plans
• Correction of plan defects under IRS and DOL amnesty programs (EPCRS, DFVC and VFCP)
• Preparation and review of qualified domestic relations orders
• Fiduciary duty analysis and training
• Preparation of plan policies to minimize fiduciary liability
• Preparation and analysis of employee benefit provisions for stock and asset purchase agreements in M&A transactions
• Prohibited transaction analysis
• Independent contractor/employee analysis
• IRS and DOL audits of employee benefit plans
• COBRA issues
• Review of audits to plan financial statements

Business Ownership Planning

• Formation and operation of business entities
• Ownership transition and succession
• Purchases and sales of businesses in M&A transactions
• Executive and equity compensation plans
• Stock option plans
• Severance pay plans
• Transition planning for ownership of family businesses