Laura A. Habein

Laura brings broad, deep experience across the full scope of employee benefits law and helps clients navigate employee benefits, executive compensation and compliance issues in ways that support long-term growth.

Laura is a trusted advisor across the full spectrum of employee benefits and executive compensation law—a practice area known for its complexity and constantly evolving regulatory landscape. She counsels executives, third-party administrators, HR professionals, companies and fiduciaries on retirement plans (including ESOPs), health and welfare benefits, executive compensation and the compliance challenges and design opportunities that span them all. She helps clients understand complex regulations and requirements, translating them into practical steps for compliance that align with their business goals and long-term growth.

Her practice includes benefits and compensation due diligence and structuring in mergers, acquisitions and ownership transitions, with particular depth in the executive compensation opportunities and considerations that arise in of transactions (including Section 280G and 409A of the Internal Revenue Code). Laura also counsels clients on defined contribution plans, ESOP matters, health and welfare programs and non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements and the documents, filings and administrative processes needed to establish, maintain and correct such employee benefit programs.

Business & Tax Planning

• Provides comprehensive counsel across all areas of employee benefits law, from retirement and health and welfare plans to executive compensation and ownership transition strategies—offering clients a single trusted advisor for the full range of their benefits needs.
• Breaks down complex regulatory requirements so clients understand what the laws and regulations require and determine which specific approaches support their business objectives.
• Advises on benefits and executive compensation matters in mergers, acquisitions, ownership transitions and other business transactions.
• Counsels clients on defined contribution plans, including 401(k) and profit-sharing plans and ESOPs, and related compliance, administration and correction issues.
• Works with employers and third-party administrators on health and welfare plan issues, including cafeteria plans, COBRA, HIPAA and ACA compliance.

Education

• Notre Dame Law School, J.D., 2017, magna cum laude
• Concordia College, B.A., 2014, magna cum laude

Admissions

• Kentucky, 2017
• Minnesota, 2021

Clerkships

• Extern, Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, Northern District of Indiana District Court

Professional Activities

• The ESOP Association, member, 2025-current
• National Center of Employee Ownership, member, 2025-current 

Community

• Hamline University Orchestra, volunteer musician, Spring 2025-current