Michael J. Asher
Michael J. Asher is a co-founder and managing partner of AsherKelly. Michael has been providing counsel to multiemployer funds, trade associations, labor organizations, and business and individuals for over 30 years. An experienced former full-time litigator, he brings a unique and valuable perspective to this representation.
As general counsel to numerous employee benefit funds, Michael has distinguished himself in the areas of complex ERISA disputes and ERISA litigation involving the prosecution and defense of the rights and remedies of the trustees and their participants. He is also a leading authority on DOL investigations.
A prolific author and speaker, Michael has presented before numerous trade and industry groups, including the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Association (SMACNA), and MAPERS. He has published dozens of articles related to ERISA, employee benefits law, collections, and additional topics, and has been named a Michigan Super Lawyer. He is a past member of the IFEBP Professional Committee.
- IFEBP 45th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (November 1999) Collections – Creating a Culture of Respect
- IFEBP Collections Conference (February 2001) Collections The Written and Unwritten Policy
- IFEBP 51st Annual Employee Benefits Conference (November 2003) Establishing a Cost-Efficient Delinquency Collection Program
- IFEBP Advanced Trustee Institute (February 2004) The Trustees Role in Collection (To Whom Much is Given, Much is Expected)
- IFEBP Construction Industry Benefits Conference (September 2005) A Comparison and Contrast of Bankruptcy Cases
- IFEBP 38th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (November 1992) Over/Underfunded Pension Plans
- IFEBP Annual Conference – Managing an Audit by the DOL and IRS (October 2011)
- IFEBP Annual Conference (November 2009) Current Fiduciary Issues in Investments
- IFEBP Trustees and Administrators Institutes (June 2008) The Administrations Role in Department of Labor Audits
- IFEBP Trustees & Administrators Institutes (February 2008) Department of Labor Audits-What Trustees Need to Know
- IFEBP 52nd Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2008) Trustee Responsibilities in Monitoring Professionals
- IFEBP 47th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (September 2001) Fiduciary Responsibility: Overview and Update
- IFEBP 49th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (September 2003) Refresher on Fiduciary Responsibility
- Iron Workers’ National Training Conference – A Director’s Guide to Apprenticeship Funds (July 2013)
- Pennsylvania United Association of Plumbing and Pipefitting State Convention – Portfolio Watch (July 2012)
- Iron Workers’ National Training Conference – A Trainer Director’s Guide to Apprenticeship Funds (June 2012)
- MAPERS Spring Conference – Internal Revenue Code Compliance: Letters of Determination and New Initiatives (May 2012)
- Annual Iron Workers National Attorney Conference – Ethical Issues in Representation of Divided Boards of Trustees (April 2012)
- Mechanical Contractors’ JATC Roundtable: A Trustees’ Guide to Apprenticeship Funds (address to Executive Directors/Trustees) (February 2012)
- Iron Workers’ Administrators Roundtable (February 2011)
- Iron Workers’ National Training Conference – Trust Fund Agreements (July 2011)
- Enrolled Actuaries Annual Meeting (April 2008) Current Issues with Multiemployer Plans
- IFEBP 38th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (November 1992) Over/Underfunded Pension Plans
- MAPERS Annual Meeting (September 2009) Managing the RFP Process
- MAPERS Annual Meeting (February 2008) Alternative Investments
- MAPERS Annual Meeting (June 2007) Fiduciary Issues
- MAPERS Annual Meeting (September 2005) Fiduciary Due Diligence in Investments
- MAPERS Annual Meeting (February 2005) Public Act 728
- MAPERS Annual Meeting (October 2004) General Session Speaker
- MAPERS Annual Meeting (February 2004) Fiduciary Responsibility
- MAPERS – Investment Consultant’s Roundtable (February 2010)
- IFEBP 65th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2019) Ask the Experts
- IFEBP 63rd 5th Annual Employee Benefits Conference October 2017) Ask the Experts