ERISA, 401(k), Pension, executive compensation, tax, fringe benefits, ESOPs, and non-profit issues.Prior clients include airlines, large banks, hospital systems, hedge funds, retailers, governmental entities, exempt organizations, chemical manufacturers, physician groups, and steel mills. Author or co-author of articles published in Benefits Law Journal, Journal of Pension Benefits, Journal of Taxation of Employee Benefits and Ohio Lawyers Weekly.Speeches given on various benefit issues including retirement plan fiduciary risk mitigation, contingent worker benefit risks, fringe benefits, welfare plan compliance and design, nonqualified plans and Section 409A, and ERISA Section 404(c). Instructor, Midwest Trust Schools.Robert S. Melson is a member of the Texas, Ohio and District of Columbia bars (all inactive), and is admitted to various federal courts including U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Tax Court, the 6th Circuit, and N.D. of Ohio Federal Court.Specialties: 401(k) and Benefit Plan design and drafting, compliance review of benefit plans, risk mitigation analysis of benefit plans. IRS, DOL, and PBGC plan audits. Mergers. Drafting Private Letter Rulings. Plan corrections. Plan terminations. VEBAs. ESOPs and S Corp ESOPs. Nonqualified Plans and deferred compensation. Fiduciary issues. Forms 5500, 5330, and 990 problem resolution. IRS Determination Letters. Fringe benefit tax issues, including the use of corporate aircraft and employee discounts. 162(m). Payroll tax matters. Benefit plan nondiscrimination testing, including 401(k) and welfare plan nondiscrimination testing. Independent Contractor - Contingent Worker issues and tax risk mitigation. Nonprofit law.