Overview

J. René Toadvine maintains a nationwide practice that focuses on representing management in all facets of employee benefits matters, including:

  • Employee benefits tax issues
  • The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and benefits planning
  • Executive compensation
  • Employee benefits in mergers and acquisitions
  • Bank finance and ERISA issues in securitizations

René designs and drafts all types of employee benefits and executive compensation plans with adherence to compliance regulations, including:

  • Qualified and non-qualified retirement plans
  • Health and welfare plans
  • Severance plans
  • Disability plans
  • Equity compensation
  • Deferred compensation

Appearing before administrative agencies, including the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and the Department of Labor, René has specific knowledge of:

  • ERISA
  • 409A
  • Internal Revenue Code
  • The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

René represents a wide variety of companies, including:

  • Manufacturing
  • Distribution
  • Retail
  • Health Care
  • Cable
  • Technology
  • Engineering
  • Real estate

René previously served on Littler's Board of Directors and as the office managing shareholder of the firm's Charlotte, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina, offices. Additionally, he is a member of the Level A to B Write-On Subcommittee and a core member of the Employee Benefits Leadership Group.

Before joining Littler, René was a partner and counsel at two other law firms. Prior to attending law school, René practiced as a senior actuarial analyst in the life and health insurance industry.

 

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

Charlotte Benefits Forum

Member

Southern Employee Benefits Conference

Member

Employee Benefits Committee, Section of Taxation

American Bar Association

Member

Hickory Grove Christian School Board

Former Member and Chair

Covenant Day School Board

Former Board Member

Charlotte Rescue Mission

Recognition

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2013-2025

Order of the Coif

News, Analysis & Press

More Than 230 Littler Lawyers Recognized in 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers in America®

August 18, 2022

Speaking Engagements

2024 Carolinas Regional Employer Conference

Charlotte, NC

September 12, 2024

2023 Carolinas Regional Employer Conference

Charlotte, NC

September 14, 2023

2022 Carolinas Regional Employer Conference

Charlotte, NC

September 8, 2022

Latest on COVID-19: New Relief Measures Affecting Employee Benefit Plans

The Employers Association webinar

May 20, 2020

COVID-19 FAQs with Littler

April 22, 2020

The Top 10 Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Issues in 2017

The 2017 Executive Employer® Conference

May 11, 2017

ERISA Compliance Tips for the Benefits Professional

CFO Arts Conference, Boston, MA

November 3, 2016

Retirement Plans Under Attack by Plan Participants and Government Agencies: An Action Plan for Employers

2016 Employee Benefits Regional Roadshow, Houston, TX

October 26, 2016

Executive Compensation Pitfalls – From 409A to the ACA

2016 Employee Benefits Regional Roadshow, Houston, TX

October 26, 2016

Temporary Employees and the ACA

The Employers Association, Charlotte, NC

October 4, 2016

ERISA Compliance Tips for the General Practitioner

Farm Bureau A3 Conference - Administrators, Attorneys & Accounting Professionals, Nashville, TN

September 7, 2016

Retirement Plans Under Attack by Plan Participants and Government Agencies: An Action Plan for Employers

2016 Employee Benefits Regional Roadshow, Charlotte, NC

July 28, 2016

Executive Compensation Pitfalls – From 409A to the ACA

2016 Employee Benefits Regional Roadshow, Charlotte, NC

July 28, 2016

Retirement Plans Under Attack by Plan Participants and Government Agencies: An Action Plan for Employers

2016 Employee Benefits Regional Roadshow, New York, NY

June 15, 2016

The Affordable Care Act: Looking At and Beyond 2015

Charlotte Area Hotel Association

September 10, 2015

2015 Southeast Employer Conference

Atlanta, GA

August 20, 2015

Using Measurement and Stability Periods under ACA

Charlotte, NC

April 28, 2015

ACA Update: Fees and Reporting Requirements

Charlotte, NC

April 23, 2015

Using Measurement and Stability Periods under ACA

Charlotte, NC

February 10, 2015

ACA Update: Fees and Reporting Requirements

Charlotte, NC

January 29, 2015

Simplify the Path to Financial Wellness

Charlotte, NC

November 20, 2014

The 2014 Charlotte Employer — International Edition

Charlotte, NC

September 23, 2014

Demystifying 401(k) Plan Fees and Fiduciary Compliance for Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts

Charlotte, NC

May 15, 2014

Calling all European Employers: Affordable Care Act Update

German American Chamber of Commerce and French American Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte, NC

December 6, 2013

Health Care Reform Update

Charlotte, NC

November 5, 2013

Contracts Symposium

Association of Corporate Counsel, Charlotte Chapter, Charlotte, NC

November 1, 2013

Retirement Plan Industry Update

Charlotte, NC

October 31, 2013

Legal Update: Employee Benefits

The Employers Association, Charlotte, NC

August 28, 2013

Employment Law Update

Nashville, TN

May 21, 2013

Don't Let These Top 5 Employment Trends Spook You

Charlotte, NC

October 25, 2012

Employee Benefit Plans

North Carolina Bar Center

May 17, 2012

Health in a Handbasket - Where Healthcare is Headed and What Employers Should Do about It

The 2012 Executive Employer® Conference

Littler Mendelson, Scottsdale, AZ

May 10, 2012

Healthcare Reform

Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Human Resources Society

July 2011

New York Benefits Summit

February 10, 2011

Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation in a Declining Market: Challenges and Opportunities

Annual Compensation and Benefits Update - Employers Association

November 2010

Health Care Reform - An In-Depth Review of Grandfathering and Non-Discrimination Testing

Johnson & Bryan Insurance

October 2010

Health Care Reform - Are You Ready?

Association of Corporate Counsel

September 2010

Health Care Reform

HR Advantage 2010

August 2010

Health Care Reform

Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) HR Society

July 2010

Employee Benefit Plans - A Primer

Business Law Section - North Carolina Bar Association

May 2010

10 Innovative Retirement Plan Designs

39th Annual Retirement & Benefits Management Seminar - Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina

April 2010

Landmines, Trends and Tools

December 4, 2009

The New COBRA Subsidy: What Your Organization Needs to Do – And When

March 19, 2009

What You Don't Know About Deferred Compensation Can Harm You: Do You Have an Action Plan?

January 16, 2008

Education

  • J.D., Indiana University Maurer School of Law, 1993magna cum laude
  • B.S., Northern Kentucky University, 1984

Bar Admission

North Carolina
District of Columbia
Kentucky