Joseph B. Hurst, Jr.

Joseph B. Hurst, Jr.: Head of Employee Benefits Practice Group in Little Rock

Joseph B. Hurst, Jr. is the head of the firm's Employee Benefits Practice Group. His focus is on the design, implementation and administration of tax-qualified retirement plans (including defined benefit pension plans, profit sharing plans, 401(k) plans and ESOPs), nonqualified deferred compensation plans, and welfare benefit plans for financial institutions, regular business organizations, professional corporations and governmental and non-profit organizations. He assists plan sponsors and fiduciaries with regulatory compliance with ERISA, state and federal tax issues and with local legislation affecting retirement and welfare plans. In addition, he acts as counsel to plan sponsors, fiduciaries and participants with respect to ERISA controversies and litigation.

Practice Areas

• Tax-qualified Retirement Plans (including defined benefit pension plans, profit sharing plans, 401(k) plans and ESOPs)
• Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans
• Welfare Benefit Plans

Education & Credentials

Firms: Friday Eldredge & Clark LLP
Recognized Since: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 1989
City: Little Rock, State: Arkansas, Country: United States

Universities

• New York University
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock
• Vanderbilt University

Education

• B.A. from New York University, 1975
  J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law, 1982

Bar Admissions

• New York State Bar Association (NYSL)
• American Bar Association (ABA)

Languages

• English

Awards & Recognitions

• Lawyer of the Year: Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Little Rock (2025), Recognized: Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Special Focus: ERISA, Special Focus: ESOPS, Special Focus: Executive Compensation, Special Focus: Exempt Organizations, Special Focus: Fiduciary Responsibility, Special Focus: Government Plans, Special Focus: Pension, Health and Welfare, Special Focus: Qualified Plans

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association (ABA)
• New York State Bar Association (NYSL)