J. Thomas Cristy
For more than 35 years, Tom has advised clients on employee benefits, ERISA, and executive compensation matters.
Tom Cristy drafts and reviews employee benefit plans and counsels clients on employee benefits and executive compensation. This includes ERISA; qualified plans (pension, profit-sharing, 401(k), and employee stock ownership plans); nonqualified deferred compensation; supplemental executive retirement plans; COBRA, health, and other welfare benefit plans; cafeteria plans; fringe benefits; and fiduciary compliance.
Tom also assists clients with Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Department of Labor audits and employee benefits litigation and advises clients on employee benefits aspects of merger, acquisition, disposition, and financing transactions.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D., cum laude, Order of the Coif, Managing Editor, Michigan Yearbook of International Legal Studies, 1988
- University of Wisconsin, B.B.A., Accounting and Data Processing, magna cum laude, 1982
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
Related Employment
- Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee, WI, Associate, 1988-1992
- Ernst & Young, Minneapolis, MN, Senior Auditor, 1982-1985
Professional Recognition
Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2005-2025
Listed in Washington Law & Politics, “Washington’s Super Lawyers,” 2010-2014
Impact
Professional Leadership
- American Bar Association, Tax Section
- Western Pension and Benefits Conference, Member
- Seattle Pension Roundtable, Member
- Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants
News
Professional Experience
Experience
Acquisition by 11:11 Systems, Inc.
Represented 11:11 Systems, Inc. in the acquisition of Green Cloud Technologies, LLC, an independent channel-only cloud Infrastructure-as-a-Service provider
Represented ThankView LLC in its Merger with EverTrue Inc.
Served on the deal team representing ThankView LLC in its merger with EverTrue Inc. and combined strategic investment by Rubicon Technology Partners.
Bulk Reef Supply Expands Operations Through Acquisition of Marine Depot
Represented Bulk Reef Supply, a national leader in wholesale and retail aquarium supplies and portfolio company of Bertram Capital, in the acquisition of Marine Depot.
Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc. Acquisition of Aurora Innovations Inc.
Represented Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc. in the acquisition of Aurora Innovations, LLC (formerly Aurora Innovations Inc.), Aurora International, LLC (formerly Aurora International, Inc.) and Gotham Properties LLC, an Oregon-based manufacturer and supplier of organic hydroponic products with locations in the United States and Canada.
Superfeet Sale to Westward Partners
Represented Superfeet Worldwide in its sale to Westward Partners.
Sale of Oberto Sausage Company
Represented Oberto Sausage Company in the sale of substantially all of its assets to Premium Brands Holding Company.
Nevada Power Company Public Underwritten First Mortgage Bond Offering
Represented Nevada Power Company, an indirect subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company, in connection with a underwritten public offering of first mortgage bonds.
Sale of S.D.S. Lumber and Timber Holding
Represented S.D.S. Lumber Co. and S.D.S. Co., L.L.C. in their sale to Twin Creeks Timber, LLC, The Conservation Fund, and WKO, Inc.