ERISA Advisory Services

Overview

Bricker Graydon Wyatt’s employee benefits attorneys provide sophisticated ERISA advisory services tailored specifically to the needs of benefit plan service providers. We partner with firms that support everything from a small book of plans to large, multi‑client portfolios, delivering practical guidance designed to align legal compliance with operational realities.

We regularly advise financial institutions, registered investment advisers, broker‑dealers, mutual fund service providers, benefit plan auditors, and recordkeepers on the complex ERISA issues that arise in day‑to‑day plan administration and client relationships. Our team offers deep experience with fiduciary standards, prohibited transaction rules, and Department of Labor enforcement priorities—helping service providers manage regulatory risk while continuing to meet business and client expectations.

Because our attorneys also counsel employers and plan sponsors directly, we bring a balanced, real‑world perspective to our work with service providers. We understand how regulators evaluate fiduciary conduct from both sides of the relationship, and we help our clients anticipate and address issues before they escalate. Recognizing that service provider questions often come with tight timelines and high stakes, responsiveness is a core part of our approach.

Our ERISA advisory services include:

ERISA documentation support, including the preparation and review of service agreements, fiduciary acknowledgments, policies, and related compliance materials.
Fee disclosure and transparency guidance, including assistance with ERISA §408(b)(2) and §404a‑5 disclosures to support fee reasonableness and regulatory compliance.
Fiduciary training and advisory services, including guidance for ERISA §3(16) and §3(21) service models and practical strategies to help employees understand and carry out fiduciary responsibilities while minimizing exposure to prohibited transactions and fiduciary breaches.
Issue‑driven problem solving, providing practical, business‑focused solutions when retirement plan compliance or fiduciary issues arise.
IRA program support, including the development and review of IRA custodial agreements, disclosure statements, and program documentation to maintain compliance with IRS and DOL requirements.
IRS private letter ruling submissions related to IRA compliance matters.
Government audit and investigation defense, including representation in DOL and IRS examinations and related enforcement actions.

At Bricker Graydon Wyatt, we deliver proactive, industry‑informed ERISA compliance support that helps plan service providers navigate evolving regulatory requirements with confidence—while protecting their businesses, their clients, and their reputations.