Overview

Mindi Johnson is the co- leader of the firm's business and tax practice group and previously chaired the firm's employee benefits team. She helps clients navigate challenges and solve problems by providing practical guidance that maintains legal compliance while achieving business goals. Specifically, the types of matters Mindi handles include:

Employee Benefits Law

Advising taxable and tax-exempt non-governmental employers and governmental employers regarding federal and state deferred compensation and welfare benefits law, including matters related to tax qualification and fiduciary standards.
Implementing strategic changes to qualified retirement plans (such as 401(k) Plans and ESOPs) and welfare benefits plans (such as group health plans, VEBAS, MEWAS, Cafeteria Plans and Group Benefit Plans).
Facilitating employee benefit plan corrections to reduce penalties and legal exposure through formal governmental programs, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Voluntary Correction Program and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program.
Responding to the IRS and DOL audits and investigations of employee benefit plans.
Providing legal compliance reviews and audits of corporate benefit packages.
Assisting with benefit plan administration, including preparation of QDROs, distribution materials and nondiscrimination testing.

Health Care Law

Advising health care providers on various legal issues, including fraud & abuse, regulatory, licensing, compliance, billing, Medicare/Medicaid and HIPAA.
Assisting with health care facility mergers and acquisitions.

In addition to her practice, Mindi is very active in professional and community activities. She is a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and the Michigan Women's Tax Association and is the Vice President of Professionals of the Michigan Chapter of the ESOP Association.

Honors & Recognitions

Best Lawyers® in America - Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2021-2025

Best Lawyers® in America - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships, 2025

Best Lawyers® in America - Tax Law, 2025

"Top Lawyer", Grand Rapids Magazine, 2023 in Employee Benefits Law

Michigan Lawyers Weekly Woman in the Law Honoree, 2018

Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Young Professional Award Nominee, 2009

Michigan State Bar Foundation, Fellow

Affiliations

Memberships & Affiliations

Legal Affiliations:

American Bar Association
- Section of Taxation
  - Employee Benefits Committee
  - Defined Contribution Plans, Subcommittee Co-Chair
State Bar of Michigan
- Taxation Section
  - Former Council Member and Michigan Tax Lawyer Editor
- Business Law Section

Industry & Professional Associations:

National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO)
The ESOP Association
Michigan Chapter of the ESOP Association, Vice President - Professionals
Women Lawyers Association of Michigan
Michigan Women's Tax Association
Calvin University Alumni Association

Community Activities:

Grandville Calvin Christian Schools, Board of Directors
Girls on the Run of Kent and Muskegon Counties, Former Member of Board of Directors
Gazelle Girls, Advisory Committee