Thomas C. Senter

Bar Admissions

• New York, 1980
• New Jersey, 1982
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1980
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 1980
• U.S. Tax Court, 1980
• U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 1982

Representative Matters

• Negotiated an executive separation and transition package for the president and CEO of the U.S. subsidiary of a multinational automotive manufacturer.
• Represented the president and CEO of a major New Jersey medical center in negotiating employment and deferred compensation agreements.
• Restructured deferred compensation arrangements for the retiring CEO of a federal credit union to avoid immediate income recognition upon separation.
• Represented an actuarial consulting firm in defense of claims alleging improper benefit calculations following plan termination.
• Represented directors of a bankrupt plan sponsor and trustees of an underfunded pension plan in connection with assumption of the plan by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
• Negotiated with the Pension Benefits Guaranty Corporation on behalf of an individual facing withdrawal liability claims exceeding $7 million.
• Represented a benefits consulting firm in defense of U.S. Department of Labor claims alleging fiduciary responsibility for misappropriation of plan assets.
• Advised an institution of higher education on restructuring retiree health benefits to reduce costs and limit long-term liability exposure.
• Advised a nonprofit hospital on executive employment and benefits matters arising from the formation of a new healthcare system in New Jersey.
• Represented sellers in the sale of a corporation with a significantly overfunded defined benefit pension plan, structuring the transaction to transfer plan obligations to the purchaser at closing.
• Represented the newly appointed board of directors of a regulated bank in connection with recapitalization, change of control, and implementation of equity compensation for senior leadership.
• Advised plan sponsors in voluntary compliance matters before the IRS and the U.S. Department of Labor, securing correction of qualification and fiduciary issues.
• Advised a public company in conducting a comprehensive internal review of outstanding stock options and warrants to confirm compliance with securities, tax, and payroll regulations.
• Represented a telecommunications company in its sale to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), resulting in 100% employee ownership and involving multi-million-dollar transaction value.
• Represented a certified public accounting firm in its merger with another New Jersey firm, advising on workforce integration, benefit plan consolidation, employee communications, and restrictive covenant compliance.
• Represented a senior partner at a major national accounting and consulting firm in his departure to launch a U.S.-based consulting business for an international firm.
• Represented a senior-level partner and decision maker at a New York-based hedge fund, in reviewing high seven-figure equity compensation arrangements across multiple portfolio companies.
• Serve as outside general and employment counsel to the U.S. subsidiary of a Norwegian-based manufacturer and retailer, handling employment litigation, executive and separation agreements, handbooks, and ongoing compliance counseling, including matters involving cross-border coordination with Norway.
• Representing a client in negotiating a seven-figure employment agreement to lead the U.S. operations of the world’s largest cannabis producer and distributor.

Memberships

• New Jersey State Bar Association: Taxation Law Section, Employee Benefits Committee

Announcements