Rhonda A. O'Brien
Rhonda A. O'Brien practices in the areas of business transactions, employee benefits, and federal, state and local taxation. She has drafted tax-qualified retirement plans, tax-sheltered annuity (403[b]) plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans (including 457 plans and ineligible plans governed by Section 409A). She has successfully participated in the IRS voluntary correction programs to preserve the tax-qualified status of retirement plans.
Ms. O'Brien advises on structuring and administering health plans and other welfare plans, Section 125 (cafeteria) plans and other tax-favored benefit programs. She has been involved in the development of request for proposal procedures for solicitation of consultants in portfolio analysis, portfolio performance review, bundled services, custodianship and investment management for plan assets.
She also counsels businesses on a wide spectrum of state, local and federal taxation matters including income, payroll, excise, fuel, sales and use tax, real estate and personal property taxes, and utility taxes. Ms. O'Brien has represented businesses including tax-exempt entities through their formation, acquisition, growth, divestiture and sale. She counsels public sector institutions concerning general business law, legal duties, obligations and authority.
Rhonda earned her J.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Law and has an LL.M. in taxation from Washington University in St. Louis.
City of Glendale
City of Richmond Heights Pension Plan Trustees
Fenton Fire Protection District
St. Louis Housing Authority
The Missouri Foundation for Health
Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund
First Bank and Trust Company of Murphysboro
Stanbury Uniforms
Private Letter Rulings from the Missouri Department of Revenue on behalf of Metro granting sales tax exemption for revenue generated by activities at public recreation facilities
Structured controlled business entities for St. Louis Housing Authority in connection with participation in low income housing tax credit projects
Self-funded health plans, medical reimbursement and dependent care assistance plans and related administrative services agreements
Nonqualified deferred compensation plans (Code §409A; Code §457(b)) (Rockwood School District) and tax qualified retirement plans (including defined contribution plans, defined benefit plans and 403(3)(b))
Drafting and negotiation of investment management agreements, custody agreements, securities lending agreements, private equity transaction documents, side letters and similar agreements in connection with assets held and maintained by fiduciaries (The Missouri Foundation for Health, St. Louis Public Library Foundation, Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund)
Preparation of grant and scholarship procedures and contracts; structuring specialized grants configured as loans and/or loan guarantees
Tax advice in connection with tax exempt municipal bonds such as, Industrial Development Authority of the County of St. Louis, Missouri $7,765,000 Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds (Eden Theological Seminary Project), Series 2001
Secured 501(c)(3) status for Downtown St. Louis Community Improvement District
Martindale-Hubbell, AV Peer Review Rating
City of Creve Coeur, Board of Adjustment, 2004-Present
Past Member of City of Creve Coeur, Missouri Finance Committee, Pension Committee and Adhoc Park Planning Committee
Union Avenue Opera, Treasurer
Board Member, Congregation B'nai Amoona Women's League
MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries
Past member of Board/Executive Committee Member
Past Treasurer, Chair Finance Committee
Past Member, Investment Committee
Past Chair, Human Resources Committee
AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties, Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.
Related Professionals
