ESOP Basics, Benefits, and Best Practices (CLE & CPE)

Designed for attorneys, accountants, financial planners, and business advisors, this accredited course offers a foundational understanding of employee stock ownership plans. Trusted professionals with middle-market clients either considering or currently implementing a leveraged ESOP can expect to gain working knowledge and a strategic appreciation for these valuable business transaction strategies.

CSG's Steven Berman and Polsinelli's Stanley Bulua cover the basic mechanics, key benefits, and relevant case law surrounding ESOP-led exit and succession strategies. Participants can earn up to 2 CLE, CPE, CE, or PD credit hours.

Register now to take this LearnFormula course for free.

Learn to navigate the legal and financial complexities of ESOPs.

Berman and Bulua's extended conversation with LearnFormula's Chris Mines is both comprehensive and easy-to-follow. Instead of an esoteric lecture, this session is structured as a free-flowing discussion for real practitioners.

Course Highlights

• History and evolution of employee stock ownership plans, including key legislative milestones
• Legal framework governing ESOPs under ERISA
• ESOPs as shareholder liquidity, employee benefits, productivity, and business continuity strategies
• Tax benefits and corporate structure considerations
• 1042 rollovers and qualified replacement properties
• Plan feasibility considerations
• Best practices for forming and maintaining a leveraged ESOP
• Case studies featuring a family-owned business, a widely-held company, and a management buyout scenario

Led by ESOP Experts

Steven Berman has helped build CSG's nationally-recognized ESOP investment banking practice since its founding in 2000. His financial expertise also extends to fund management, merchant banking, and corporate restructuring, thanks to over two decades in various leadership roles at Prudential. This unique finance toolkit, combined with Steven's extensive employee ownership thought leadership, has yielded countless leveraged ESOP transactions for middle market companies nationwide.

Stanley Bulua has been practicing law for more than 40 years and concentrates in the areas of ESOPs, estate planning, estate administration, and income tax. A key member of Polsinelli's industry-leading employee ownership group, Stanley's practice involves the design, structure, negotiation, and documentation of complex, leveraged ESOP transactions. He also has significant experience advising ESOP-owned companies on matters involving fiduciary responsibilities and corporate governance.