MiguelEaton

Practice Leader Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation

Washington + 1.202.879.3749

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Miguel Eaton guides clients through complex employee benefits issues that present significant business challenges. He began his career litigating Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and other issues and grew his practice to include counseling on benefits issues in M&A, cyber, executive compensation, and bankruptcy. He co-chairs the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Practice.

A significant portion of Miguel's practice involves defending ERISA class actions (e.g., 401(k) fee cases) and litigating on behalf of employers that contribute to multiemployer plans. He also advises benefit committees regarding participants' claims and defends companies being investigated by the Department of Labor.

Miguel speaks frequently on benefits issues, including at the American Bar Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and has been a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke Law.

Miguel serves various firmwide and office roles: he leads the Firm's veterans initiative (VetLex); is a member of the firmwide Diversity, Inclusion and Advancement Committee; and the Washington Office's Recruiting Committee. He also co-chairs the office's Diversity Committee. Miguel serves on the boards of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Duke Law Board of Visitors, and the Catholic Charities Legal Network.

He was a two-sport college athlete. He played in the 1994 NCAA basketball tournament and is the 1996 National Collegiate Boxing Association National Champion (Heavyweight).

Experience

  • Army veteran wins appeal for Total Disability rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for service-connected disabilitiesJones Day achieved a successful outcome on appeal at the Board of Veterans' Appeals for pro bono client E.C., a United States Army veteran who was previously denied a Total Disability rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.
  • Henderson Park acquires Arizona Biltmore for $705 millionJones Day represented Henderson Park Capital Partners in the acquisition and financing of the Arizona Biltmore, a LXR Hotel & Resort, for a purchase price of $705 million.
  • SER Capital Partners acquires Charah Solutions, Inc.Jones Day advised SER Capital Partners in its acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Charah Solutions for a consideration of $6.00 per share.
  • J.F. Lehman & Company backed NorthStar Group acquires Trans Ash Inc.Jones Day advised NorthStar Group, a portfolio company of J.F. Lehman & Company, in the acquisition and financing of Trans Ash Inc., a leading provider of coal ash (or coal combustion residuals) services to utilities customers across North America.
  • Hard Rock International acquires The Mirage Las Vegas Hotel and CasinoJones Day represented Hard Rock International (Hard Rock) on the acquisition of The Mirage Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas from MGM Resorts International.
  • Henderson Park acquires D.C. Mandarin OrientalJones Day represented Henderson Park Capital Partners in its joint venture with Salamander Hospitality, LLC and the joint venture's $139 million acquisition and financing of the D.C. Mandarin Oriental, a 373-room luxury hotel located in the Southwest waterfront area of Washington D.C. 
  • Mining company overturns withdrawal liability award in D.C. CircuitThe D.C. Circuit reversed a judgment against Energy West Mining Company, agreeing with Jones Day's position that the $115 million withdrawal liability assessment had been calculated using a legally impermissible discount rate.
  • D.C. Retirement Board wins dismissal in whistleblower caseA D.C. Superior Court judge granted Jones Day's motion to dismiss a whistleblower action on behalf of the District of Columbia Retirement Board ("DCRB") and its Chair of the Board of Trustees, Joseph W. Clark.
  • PNC Bank amends and extends its existing $110 million syndicated senior secured revolving credit facility for large construction companyJones Day represented PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, in connection with an amendment and extension of its existing $110 million syndicated senior secured revolving credit facility for a large construction company.
  • Blue Sea Capital sells RESA Power to InvestcorpJones Day represented Blue Sea Capital LLC on its sale of RESA Power, a provider of electrical services and products for industrial, commercial, institutional, government, and utility end-users across North America, to Investcorp.
  • ABM acquires Able Services for $830 millionJones Day advised ABM Industries Incorporated in the acquisition of Able Services, a leading facilities services company headquartered in San Francisco, in a cash transaction valued at $830 million.
  • Employers prevail in first appellate challenge to "Segal Blend"In the first appellate decision to confront the legality of the "Segal Blend" actuarial methodology for calculating withdrawal liability, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit adopted the position that Jones Day urged on behalf of a coalition of employers as amici curiae, and held that the Blend is contrary to law.
  • IBM resolves claims asserted under Federal Mental Health Parity ActJones Day defended International Business Machines Corporation ("IBM") and its health care plan in a federal lawsuit alleging violations of the Federal Mental Health Parity Act regarding the plan's handling of developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorder.
  • Integrated Power Services acquires Delta Electric Motors and Eastside Electric MotorsJones Day represented Integrated Power Services Holdings, Inc., a leading provider of electric motor and generator repair services, in connection with its acquisition of Delta Electric Motors and Eastside Electric Motors.
  • Daikin acquires ElitAireJones Day advised Daikin in its acquisition of ElitAire.
  • J.F. Lehman & Company acquires ENTACTJones Day advised long-standing client J.F. Lehman & Company, a leading middle-market private equity firm focused exclusively on the aerospace, defense, maritime, government, and environmental sectors, in the acquisition by an investment affiliate and financing of ENTACT, LLC, a national provider of environmental remediation and geotechnical services.
  • TD Securities arranges $190 million acquisition financing for Whole Earth Brands, Inc.Jones Day advised TD Securities (USA) LLC, as arranger, in connection with a $190 million senior secured credit facility comprised of a $140 million term loan and a $50 million revolving credit facility to Whole Earth Brands, Inc, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).
  • FlaglerCE sold assets to Alta Equipment Holdings Inc.Jones Day advised FlaglerCE Holdings, LLC in the sale of substantially all of its assets to Alta Equipment Holdings Inc.
  • MYR Group acquires CSI Electrical Contractors, Inc.Jones Day advised MYR Group Inc. in its acquisition of substantially all the assets of CSI Electrical Contractors, Inc., a full-service electrical contractor headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, California.
  • United Airlines wins dismissal with prejudice in USERRA class actionThe court granted Jones Day's motion to dismiss a putative class action with prejudice on behalf of United Airlines Inc. involving a novel theory of liability under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act ("USERRA").
    • View All

    July 2024 Alert

    Supreme Court Overrules Chevron Deference

    March 2024 Alert

    Another 401(k) Plan Sponsor Faces Novel Suit Regarding its Use of Forfeiture Funds

    March 2023 Commentary

    DOJ Updates Corporate Compliance Program Guidance and Announces New Policy Initiatives and Enforcement Resources

    August 2022 Podcast

    JONES DAY TALKS®: Perspectives and Pathways: Acing the Callback Interview

    May 2022 Podcast

    JONES DAY TALKS®: Perspectives and Pathways: Choosing a Firm That’s Right for You

    May 2020 White Paper

    Avoiding Pandemic-Related Employment Litigation and Disputes

    March 2020 Podcast

    JONES DAY TALKS®: Success Stories — Jones Day’s Women’s Initiatives

    November/December 2013 Jones Day Publications

    The First Circuit Fires a Shot Across the Bow of Private Equity Funds: Too Much Control of Portfolio Companies May Lead to Pension Plan Withdrawal Liability

    Additional Publications

    • September 10, 2021
      Diversity & Inclusion in Business Development: 5 Lessons Learned

    Additional Speaking Engagements

    • March 27-29, 2019
      2019 Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys Conference
    • January 7-8, 2019
      All About the Benefits: An Introduction To ERISA and Employee Benefits, Duke Law School
    • November 16, 2018
      The Evolving Landscape of Multiemployer Plans, American Conference Institute
    • October 11, 2018
      ERISA Ethical Issues and Concerns
    • October 11, 2018
      ABA JCEB ERISA Basics National Institute: ERISA Preemption
    • May 1, 2018
      Jones Day's Media Labor & Employment Law Roundtable
    • January 7 - 8, 2016
      All About the Benefits: An Introduction to ERISA and Employee Benefits, Duke Law School Wintersession
    • May 2017
      Class Action Litigation Strategies - ERISA's Statute of Limitations, Advanced ERISA Litigation National Institute
    • January 4 - 5, 2017
      All About The Benefits: An Introduction to ERISA and Employee Benefits, Duke University School of Law
    • March 24, 2016
      Worldwide Employee Benefits Network - Cleveland Chapter: Litigation Update
    • October 1, 2015
      The Detroit Bankruptcy - Employee Benefits Consultants Forum, Gaylord Resort and Convention Center
    • February 8, 2014
      Sweet (ERISA) Mystery of Life (Insurance), ABA Midwinter Conference
    • February 21, 2013
      Benefit Claims Update - Standard of Review, Discretionary Authority and Conflict Discovery, ABA Employee Benefits Midwinter Conference
    • November 1, 2012
      Is Your Executive Compensation Agreement Covered by ERISA?, ABA Labor and Employment Law Conference
    • September 20, 2012
      Expert's Guide to Employee Benefits Research, ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits
    • February 16, 2012
      Multiemployer Plans and Funding Issues, ABA Employee Benefits Committee Midwinter Conference
    • February 18, 2011
      Update on Fee Litigation and the Impact of the Regulations, ABA Employee Benefits Committee Midwinter Conference

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