Joseph B. Hurst Jr.

Friday, Eldredge & Clark has the largest and most experienced Employee Benefits Practice Group in Arkansas and one of the largest in the South. The group is rated in Band 1 in Chambers USA and has been ranked for five years, The group’s seven attorneys are responsible for more than 1,000 separate employee benefit and compensation plans, providing counsel on every legal aspect of benefits law, from plan design, implementation, and administration to compliance audits, government investigations, fiduciary issues, and benefits matters in mergers and acquisitions. Unlike many firms that address employee benefits within a general employment practice, the group focuses exclusively on the tax and ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) concerns that define the complexities of employee benefit and compensation planning.

The group serves clients of all sizes, from sole proprietors to large publicly traded companies with thousands of employees, delivering the same level of attention, detail, and insightful legal guidance regardless of scale. Employers rely on the group’s ability to tailor strategies that meet business objectives while ensuring compliance with constantly evolving regulations. Collectively, the group brings more than 180 years of experience to its clients. Every member holds a Master of Laws in Taxation, and many are also certified public accountants (inactive), providing a rare depth of knowledge in both tax and benefits law. The group’s attorneys are regularly recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, and four are ranked by Chambers USA.