Legal Counsel Services

The vendor is required to provide legal counsel services for include:
•    Advising the boards on compliance with all applicable federal laws including all qualification issues affecting employee benefits plan design under the internal revenue code. 
•    Advising the board concerning drafting and compliance of plan documents, including rules, policies, and procedures. 
•    Advising the boards on compliance of system state statutes. 
•    Advising the boards when considering an application for one of the four types of system disability retirements. 
•    Advising the boards regarding medical questions that may be posed by the boards to a physician conducting an independent medical examination of a disability retirement applicant. 
•    Advising the boards on return to work after retirement issues of members. 
•    Advising the boards considering applications for line of duty and non-line of duty death benefits.
•    Advising the boards on issues pertaining to the deferred retirement option plan (drop). 
•    Advising the boards on taxation of system retirement benefits. 
•    Advising the boards on issues regarding tier i, ii, and iii system membership categories. 
•    Providing specific, written recommendations on amendments to policies and procedures. 
•    Providing advice, review and drafting services concerning necessary legal documents. 
•    Providing advice, review and drafting services relating to benefits administration. 
•    Providing sophisticated legal advice on federal tax matters. 
•    Presenting legal opinions concerning benefits or other legal issues as requested. 
•    Providing legal opinions on fiduciary duties. 
•    Assisting in the communication of concerns involving pension fund issues to trustees, staff, consultants, advisors and other parties. 
•    Attending board meetings at the request of the boards and the local board secretary, and monitor compliance with open meetings laws. 
•    Representing the board in complex litigation regarding plan issues. 
•    Counsel shall, upon referral of a lawsuit or other legal matter by either of the boards, provide any necessary legal representation to the boards and any of its officers, employees or agents as directed by the boards. 
•    Counsel agrees to perform all necessary legal services, including but not limited to investigation, legal research, preparation of legal memoranda, pleadings and briefs and making appearances before administrative tribunals and courts in representing the boards.

- Questions/Inquires Deadline: September 5, 2025