Iris K. Tilley

Oregon

Barran Liebman LLP
601 SW 2nd Avenue
Suite 2300
Portland, OR 97204

Tel: 503-276-2155

Email: itilley@barran.com
Web: www.barran.com

Professional Biography

Iris Tilley advises employers in all aspects of employee benefits, including the design, administration, and termination of qualified retirement plans, nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, and health and welfare plans.

With regard to retirement plans, Iris has counseled employers on issues including the correction of plan errors, the calculation of withdrawal liability, the arbitration of withdrawal liability disputes, and the use of qualified plans for tax-planning purposes. She has also assisted employers with the establishment of Employee Stock Ownership Plans. Her work with health and welfare plans has included the correction of administrative errors, the implementation of plan amendments required for health care reform, and business planning for health care reform. She also regularly advises employers on issues related to COBRA and HIPAA. Iris’ executive compensation experience includes the drafting and negotiating of a wide variety of executive compensation arrangements as well as working with employers to craft corrections where a program has not been administered in accordance with the deferred compensation rules under §409A.

Iris received her undergraduate degree from the University of Portland and her J.D. and M.B.A. from Seattle University School of Law and Seattle University Albers School of Business and Economics, respectively. Iris is admitted to practice in Oregon and Washington and often speaks and writes about employee benefits topics, including health care reform.

Professional Experience & Affiliations

  • Oregon Women Lawyers: Board Member (2013-2018)
  • Women in Financial Services: Portland Metro Chapter, Member (2015-2016)
  • Multnomah Bar Association: Young Lawyers Section – Professional Development and Education Committee, Publicity Chair (2010)
  • Oregon State Bar: Member
  • Washington State Bar Association: Member
  • Western Pension and Benefits Conference: Member

Honors

  • The Best Lawyers in America: Listed as a Ones to Watch, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2021-present)
  • Oregon Super Lawyers Magazine: Super Lawyer (2019-present); Rising Star (2013-2018)
  • Chambers & Partners: Executive Benefits & Executive Compensation in Oregon (2020-present)

With the cost of providing benefits to today’s employee constantly increasing, we partner with our clients to find creative and cost-effective solutions to employee benefit challenges. We assist our clients in staying ahead of changes in the law and provide strategies to any legislative or regulatory changes. We have extensive experience designing and implementing all types of employee benefits and compensation arrangements, including:

  • Retirement plans, such as 401(k), defined-benefit, and cash balance plans
  • Health and welfare plans, such as group health plans, health savings accounts and health reimbursement arrangements
  • ESOP – Employee Stock Ownership Plans, design and implementation
  • Fiduciary and Trustee advice, counsel, and training
  • COBRA and HIPAA compliance advice
  • Cafeteria, disability, and employee assistance plans
  • Other fringe benefits (such as cafeteria and educational assistance plans)
  • VEBA – Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association Plan, and other funding vehicles for post-retirement benefits

Our attorneys have extensive experience in guiding employers through the confusing and frustrating experience of benefit trust funds’ efforts to collect on such claims. Our strong labor relations practice provides our team with the necessary front-line experience in negotiating benefit claims so as to successfully litigate claims by Taft-Hartley multiemployer benefit funds in areas such as collections and delinquent contribution claims, withdrawal liability, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and challenges to plan rules.

We are an employment, labor, benefits, and higher education law firm that exclusively represents, advises, and performs investigations for employers. We provide employment law and labor management solutions for employers of all sizes and industries, including colleges, universities, boards, and administrations.  Located in Portland, Oregon, we are proud to support clients in the Pacific Northwest and across the country.

Whether you are an employer, human resource professional, in-house counsel, business executive, or business owner, you will benefit from Barran Liebman’s specialized experience and exceptional client service.

Although our firm is well-known for providing optimal results for our clients when they seek representation from us, we are also strong believers that a workplace challenge is best handled if it is prevented in the first place. We strive to create a strong foundation for the workplace by providing a variety of proactive training tools and educational opportunities.