061: Harley Bjelland, “The Best ERISA Attorney on the Planet,” discusses employee benefits, and executive compensation.

Who supports a Lawpreneur? Listen in as Harley L. Bjelland, the sole owner of the The ERISA Law Firm, shares his journey.

Harley’s focus is on ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act), employee benefits, and executive compensation. With over three decades of experience practicing employee benefits law in California, Harley provides his clients with rich perspective and creative solutions to effectively respond to their needs and achieve favorable results.

Harley Bjelland began practicing law in 1980. He has extensive experience administering and operating plans both as a third party administrator and as a member of the benefits committee for four 100-plus attorney law firms as well as numerous small law firms. He has drafted thousands of documents for 401(k) plans and employee stock ownership plans, has served as trustee for plans and has served as fiduciary on numerous benefit plan committees. Harley has conducted hundreds of audits by both the Internal Revenue Service and the United States Department of Labor.

Sponsor

Elder Counsel is a membership based program. Their passion lies in helping Elder law, special needs planning and veterans pension planning attorneys better serve their clients. They do so by providing education, support, the premier elder law document drafting system and a state of the art office management system, all with the goal of making their member attorneys more knowledgeable, more efficient, and, as a result, more profitable.

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Fail fast to succeed faster

• Harley has been a Lawpreneur most of his career.   However, in 2009, after being on his own for 15 years, Harley decided to go return to Big Law.  Five years later he was out on his own again – and the separation was much less scary this time.

Tell us something good

• Harley explains and discusses the why his firm is the ERISA Law Firm, not the Law Offices of Harley Bjelland.  Consider your branding and SEO when you name your firm.
• He suggests a Lawpreneur hire outside people to take care of your books and other aspects of running a business.  Lawpreneur’s don’t have to wear all the hats.
• A Lawpreneur needs marketing!  Create yourself as a great resource for others due to your marketing.
• Harley values control over his lifestyle as provided by being a Lawpreneur; he plays golf twice a week to stay young.
• Listen as Harley shares being retained, and finding out the new client was opposing counsel from a recent case!

What’s on your desk?

• Harley specializes in ERISA is the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Favorite Resource

• Harley values networking, people and relationships.
• A good IT person.
• Smart phone.

Favorite Books

• Bureau of National Affairs – ERISA book.

Favorite Quote of the Show in a One Minute Clip

Thanks for Listening

This information is coming to you to inspire you and drive you forward. Be bigger than you know yourself to be! If you haven’t already done so, please take a minute to leave a quick 5-star review rating and honest review on iTunes by clicking here. Miranda McCroskey – host of Lawpreneur Radio