Edward Wegerson

Edward J. Wegerson

Senior Counsel He / Him / His
Minneapolis

Edward Wegerson is a leader in complex deferred compensation, stock based and executive compensation programs that incent managers of successful emerging and public companies. Ed provides practical and innovative advice to management and fiduciaries on all legal, administrative and fiduciary aspects of 401(k) plans, ESOPs and health plans governed by ERISA, Tax Code and the Affordable Care Act.

Ed's focus for public companies is on stock incentive plans providing options, restricted stock and performance awards to retain senior officers. Ed’s focus for emerging companies and private equity investors is on cash-based "phantom stock" programs to incentivize managers toward a successful strategic sale and negotiating change in control issues involving stock and employee benefit programs. Ed helps executives upon their employment, promotion, severance, and a change in control of their company.

Experience 

Representative Matters

  • Negotiated all aspects of administrative services, trust and investment management agreements for public companies' 401(k) and executive deferred compensation plans with over $1 billion in assets.
  • Coordinated for private equity firms the corporate, tax and securities issues and drafted necessary documents to satisfy management’s equity rights in the sale of several portfolio companies to new buyers.
  • Regularly attend corporate committee meetings and advised fiduciaries on their monitoring of all aspects of 401(k) plan administration and investments.

Professional Highlights

Professional Activities

American Bar Association

Minnesota State Bar Association, Employee Benefits Section

National Association of Stock Plan Professionals

Recognition & Accomplishments

The Best Lawyers in America, employee benefits (ERISA) law, 2008-2024; "Lawyer of the Year," employee benefits (ERISA) law (Minneapolis), 2021

Speaking Engagements

2017 Employment Law Seminar: A Time of Change, Complimentary Seminar, October 11, 2017

Middle Market Mergers & Acquisitions, Webcasts, October 7, 2013

"The Employer Response to the Affordable Care Act," Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal webinar series (also May 2013), September 1, 2013

Twin Cities Business Health Care Reform Webinar Series, Webcasts, June 19, 2013

Publications

"What Employers (of all sizes) are Talking About Now," Minnesota Banker Magazine, September 1, 2012

Credentials 

Education

University of Minnesota Law School (J.D. 1978)

University of Minnesota Duluth (B.A. 1975, summa cum laude)

Admissions

Minnesota