Atty. Michael J. "Mike" Nader
Having worked as an in-house compensation and benefits manager for a large manufacturer, Mike Nader takes pride in using that unique insight to advise clients in this ever-changing area of the law. He understands first-hand the dual pressures employers face in managing costs and delivering competitive benefits while remaining compliant with complex statutes, regulations and case law.
Profile Summary
About Michael J. "Mike" Nader at a glance
Michael J. "Mike" Nader is a employment and litigation attorney based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, practicing at Barnes & Thornburg LLP. Educated at Wayne State University (J.D., 1988). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2026) and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - ERISA (2026). Serands clients in Fort Wayne, IN and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Having worked as an in-house compensation and benefits manager for a large manufacturer, Mike Nader takes pride in using that unique insight to advise clients in this ever-changing area of the law
- He understands first-hand the dual pressures employers face in managing costs and delivering competitive benefits while remaining compliant with complex statutes, regulations and case law
- Because Mike knows the realities clients encounter when managing employee benefits and executive compensation – and the impact on their employees – he takes a pragmatic approach to helping companies solve their problems and proactively mitigate risk
- He is also able to provide succinct legal answers with a healthy dose of common business sense
- Mike works closely with clients to develop strategies to eliminate or minimize risk when denying or reducing benefits or responding to government inquiries
- In addition, he advises employers and service providers in creating policies and procedures when implementing, changing, denying, or reducing benefits for welfare and pension plans, and in dealing with retirement plans and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).Mike also assists clients with a wide array of inquiries and audits by various government agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Labor (DOL), and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).He also counsels shareholders, employers, trustees, third-party administrators and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) committees regarding the structure, installation, drafting and administration of ESOPs, as well as on matters related to the governance, sale or acquisition of ESOP-owned companies
- Mike spent several years as the compensation and benefits manager at Essex International, where, among other responsibilities, he administered a range of employee benefit plans
- As a trusted adviser, Mike has spoken extensively on virtually all aspects of ERISA, including the Affordable Care Act and HIPAA Privacy and Security rules, at conferences such as the American Conference Institute in New York City and Lex Mundi in Rome, Italy and Lisbon, Portugal
Practice Areas Explained
Michael J. "Mike" Nader's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael J. "Mike" Nader handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Michael J. "Mike" Nader is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Indiana →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Michael J. "Mike" Nader is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Indiana →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Indiana
Practicing law in Indiana. Legal matters in Indiana are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Fort Wayne are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Indiana state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Indiana brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Indiana courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Indiana attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Fort Wayne or all attorneys in Indiana.
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