ESOP Learning/Guides

Hi All,

I'm a relatively new EB/EC attorney and looking to increase my knowledge of ESOPs; how to create, administer, etc. 

Do you have any recommendations for secondary sources, guidebooks, etc. to help me learn more?

Thanks in advance.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan Answer Book.

The authors, with experience (Ballard Spahr and Vedder Price) setting up ESOPs, organize this pleasantly trim book, with the information easy to find in Q&A format.

Most law firms buy this treatise in internet format, but Wolters Kluwer publishes also the hardbound book.

You might like the internet version, with hyperlinks to the cited ERISA and Internal Revenue Code sections, regulations, agency interpretations, and other sources. While you wouldn't want those details for your first read, the hyperlinking (and functions for lifting and pasting citations) is handy when you're working on a task for a client.

https://law-store.wolterskluwer.com/s/product/employee-stock-ownership-plan-esop-answer-book-3-mo-subvitallaw-3r/01t0f00000J3FC0AAN

Always beware that there are things that people in the “forefront”* of ESOPs know that ain’t so.

*And in the backrooms of the ESOP Association.

That’s why we like citations.

If you don't want to spend too much on travel look up the ESOP Association.  They have conferences that are large.  But they also have local chapters that hold local conferences.   For example in about a month there will be the Midwest Conference in KC.

You can typically find a regional conference that won't cost too much in terms of travel unlike the national conferences which typically are in the DC or Las Vegas area.  If you don't live near those cities that can be a pretty big cost to travel.

Also, look up NCEO online.   They publish a ton books.  

If you are willing to become a member they have a monthly webinar free to member.   Depending on the time zone you are in you can eat lunch and watch the ones that interest you.  As a side bonus they do the work to make these count for CE.  I know it counts for CPA which I am.  I THINK they count for legal CE.   You can get a few hours of CE and learn for a cost of membership.   Membership comes with book discounts and access to more of their online articles.  

The NCEO annual spring conference is always good to go to. 

If there is a regional ESOP association, I would look into it.  I have been to a couple of their meetings and they were very helpful with content. Good Luck.  

Thank you all!

Dear AngerShark--

I agree fully with Peter and ESOP Guy--

Early in my career I worked in DC in NTD for a Big Four and was located within a block of the ESOP Association--(late 80s) and once a quarter

I would walk to their offices and peruse their books and publications--NCEO is a a great source ! The NCEO membership is well worth it.