Craig Hoffman, General Counsel for the American Retirement Association (“ARA”), has announced he will join the ERISA and employee benefits law firm of Trucker Huss APC on April 15, 2019.
ARA is a national organization of over 20,000 members who provide actuarial, consulting, administrative, legal, investment and other professional services for qualified plans and tax-sheltered annuities.
Hoffman has previously served ARA as President, a member of the Board of Directors, Co-Chair of the Government Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the Political Action Committee.
“We are thrilled Craig has chosen to join our team. His national reputation as a premier ERISA attorney, extensive industry relationships and subject matter knowledge will be a significant benefit to our clients. The addition of Craig will enhance our ability to serve our nationwide client base as well as all sizes of employee benefit plans,” said managing partner Brad Huss.
Hoffman, who will be based in Jacksonville, Florida, will assist the firm’s clients in a strategic capacity, utilizing his considerable technical expertise and knowledge of the workings of governmental agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor.
“I have known and worked closely with the attorneys at Trucker Huss for many years. When I considered the options for this next phase in my career, I could think of no better law firm, or employee benefits team of lawyers, than Trucker Huss. The firm’s attorneys, reputation and collaborative approach to the practice of law directly align with what I value in a firm,” stated Hoffman.
Prior to joining ARA, Hoffman served for many years as General Counsel for SunGard Relius LLC. and, before that, was in private practice, specializing in the areas of taxation, ERISA and employee benefits. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree, with high honors, his Juris Doctor Degree, with honors, and his LL.M. Degree in Taxation, all from the University of Florida.
Hoffman is a frequent and much sought-after speaker at regional and national retirement industry events, including conferences held by the American Retirement Association, the Society of Actuaries; the Western Pension and Benefits Council, the National Institute of Pension Administrators; the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting; and the American Law Institute/American Bar Association. In addition, Hoffman has testified before Congress on tax and pension matters, and was an expert speaker at the first Saver Summit, jointly sponsored by the White House and Congress.
Presently, Hoffman serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Pension Benefits (Panel Publishers) and the Journal of Pensions Management (Henry Stewart Publications). He was a charter member of the first IRS Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Governmental Entities. Hoffman was awarded the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Institute of Plan Administrators. He is also a Fellow in the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel.
Hoffman’s articles have been featured in numerous publications, including the Plan Consultant, ASPPA-Connect; the Journal of Compensation and Benefits, the Journal of Pension Benefits, Pension and Benefits Week, Pension World, and RIA Pension Alert.
