News

Michael Best is proud to announce that three of the firm’s partners—Jorge Leon, Mark Lotito, and Julia Mader— have been reappointed to national leadership positions within the Employee Plans and Executive Compensation Group of the American Bar Association (ABA) Trust and Estate Law Section for the 2025–2026 bar year. 

The Trust and Estate Employee Plans and Executive Compensation Group provides guidance and thought leadership on the legal and regulatory complexities governing employee benefit plans and executive compensation arrangements. 

Jorge Leon will continue serving as Vice Chair of the Fiduciary Responsibility, Administration, and Litigation Committee. Leon regularly advises boards, C-suite leaders, and policymakers on fiduciary governance, litigation strategy, and cybersecurity, and is recognized for his leadership on high-profile and complex benefits matters. 

Mark Lotito has been appointed to Co-Chair of the Qualified Plans Committee, following his prior service as Vice Chair. Lotito advises clients across the full lifecycle of qualified plans and is known for resolving complex compliance and litigation matters with practical, business-focused solutions. 

Julia Mader has been appointed to Co-Chair of the Welfare Benefit Plans Committee, after previously serving as Vice Chair. Mader provides strategic guidance regarding health and welfare plan compliance with particular depth navigating complex regulatory frameworks and structuring innovative benefit arrangements. 

In addition to these reappointments, Leon and Mader were named to the 2025 edition of Chambers & Partners USA, and Lotito has been consistently included in Best Lawyers' "Ones to Watch" list for Employee Benefits Law.

These appointments and recognitions reflect Michael Best’s sophistication and ongoing national leadership in employee benefits and executive compensation and provide a platform for our team to continue influencing the development of benefits policy.