Biography
Laurie Cross specializes in employee benefits, tax and business law. She has been providing advice and guidance to individuals and entities in personal service businesses and other professional industries for over 15 years.
Laurie’s practice focuses on the following retirement planning matters:
- Preparation of documents to implement and amend profit sharing, 401(k), defined benefit, cash balance and 403(b) plans, ESOPs, cafeteria plans and SIMPLEs
- Preparation and review of employee notices and communications
- Correction of plan defects under IRS and DOL amnesty programs (EPCRS, DFVC and VFCP)
- Preparation and review of qualified domestic relations orders
- Fiduciary duty analysis and training
- Preparation of plan policies to minimize fiduciary liability
- Preparation and analysis of employee benefit provisions for stock and asset purchase agreements in M&A transactions
- Resolving IRS and DOL audits of employee benefit plans
- Resolution of COBRA and other employee welfare benefit issues
- Related employer analysis and plan management
Laurie also has extensive experience with business ownership planning, including the following:
- Formation and operation of business entities
- Ownership transition and succession
- Purchases and sales of businesses in M&A transactions
- Executive and equity compensation plans
- Stock option plans
- Transition planning for ownership of family businesses
Laurie graduated in May 2017 with Highest Honors from Golden Gate University School of Law, which she attended on a full Dean’s Merit Scholarship. While at GGU Law, Laurie won the appellate advocacy moot court competition, was a member of the Moot Court Board and was on the Dean’s List. Laurie also was one of five graduating students to win the Scribes American Society of Legal Writers Award. As a member of GGU’s Environmental Law & Justice Clinic, Laurie argued and won a motion for attorneys’ fees in California Superior Court. Laurie was awarded five Witkin Awards for Academic Excellence and three Cali Excellence for the Future Awards in a range of subjects, including Writing & Research, Contracts, Wills & Trusts and Constitutional Law.
Prior to joining Sideman, Laurie began her career with the San Francisco boutique law firm Buffington & Aaron, where she worked for many years as a legal assistant before becoming an associate in 2017.
Professional Involvement
Member, San Francisco Chapter of the Western Pension and Benefits Council
Member, Bar Association of San Francisco
Education
- Golden Gate University School of Law J.D., with Highest Honors, 2017
- University of California, Berkeley B.A. 2007
Admissions
- California
Biography
Laurie Cross specializes in employee benefits, tax and business law. She has been providing advice and guidance to individuals and entities in personal service businesses and other professional industries for over 15 years.
Laurie’s practice focuses on the following retirement planning matters:
- Preparation of documents to implement and amend profit sharing, 401(k), defined benefit, cash balance and 403(b) plans, ESOPs, cafeteria plans and SIMPLEs
- Preparation and review of employee notices and communications
- Correction of plan defects under IRS and DOL amnesty programs (EPCRS, DFVC and VFCP)
- Preparation and review of qualified domestic relations orders
- Fiduciary duty analysis and training
- Preparation of plan policies to minimize fiduciary liability
- Preparation and analysis of employee benefit provisions for stock and asset purchase agreements in M&A transactions
- Resolving IRS and DOL audits of employee benefit plans
- Resolution of COBRA and other employee welfare benefit issues
- Related employer analysis and plan management
Laurie also has extensive experience with business ownership planning, including the following:
- Formation and operation of business entities
- Ownership transition and succession
- Purchases and sales of businesses in M&A transactions
- Executive and equity compensation plans
- Stock option plans
- Transition planning for ownership of family businesses
Laurie graduated in May 2017 with Highest Honors from Golden Gate University School of Law, which she attended on a full Dean’s Merit Scholarship. While at GGU Law, Laurie won the appellate advocacy moot court competition, was a member of the Moot Court Board and was on the Dean’s List. Laurie also was one of five graduating students to win the Scribes American Society of Legal Writers Award. As a member of GGU’s Environmental Law & Justice Clinic, Laurie argued and won a motion for attorneys’ fees in California Superior Court. Laurie was awarded five Witkin Awards for Academic Excellence and three Cali Excellence for the Future Awards in a range of subjects, including Writing & Research, Contracts, Wills & Trusts and Constitutional Law.
Prior to joining Sideman, Laurie began her career with the San Francisco boutique law firm Buffington & Aaron, where she worked for many years as a legal assistant before becoming an associate in 2017.