John I. Tesija

John provides clients with an unrivaled wealth of experience, having been through nearly every significant economic and regulatory period since the passage of ERISA.

He has extensive experience with the most complex plan operations. He has handled countless plan mergers of welfare and pension plans, regulatory audits including an SEC-led receivership, and guided clients through extraordinarily complex litigation.

Over his long career, there is virtually no scenario applicable to multiemployer plans that John has not addressed. His practical approach, legal knowledge, and deep understanding of the industry’s workings have made John an invaluable asset to the Firm’s clients.

Professional Affiliations

John received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree, cum laude, from the University of Michigan-Flint and his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the University of Detroit-Mercy.

John is a member of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), the American Bar Association (ABA), the Michigan Bar Association and Ohio Bar Association.

He has appeared before state and federal district courts in Michigan and Ohio, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6^th Circuit, as well as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). He is licensed to practice law in Michigan, Ohio and various Federal Courts.

COMMUNITY

Founding Member and Trustee, Breath of Life Foundation

Former Parish Council and Current Fundraising Committee Member, St. Lucy Croatian-Catholic Church

Honors & Recognitions

John has received numerous awards from client-based organizations, including his work on sponsoring mesothelioma research by the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers and the Breath of Life Foundation.  

Presentations

John is a regular speaker at industry events related to the operation of multiemployer plans and the laws affecting them. He also contributes various articles and educational pieces for industry groups and is well known throughout the industry for his expertise and long history of advising multiemployer plans.

Speaker: Various Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, Legislative Conferences; Topic: Updates in PPA/MPRA and PPACA Updates

Presenter: Mason Contractors Association’s Symposium on Withdrawal Liability

Presenter: Poured Concrete Wall Association’s Conference on PPA

Presenter:  Construction Association of Michigan/Associated General Contractors of Michigan New Right to Work Law and Pension Funds

PUBLICATIONS

John regularly authors client newsletters that cover legal and legislative development affecting plan operations and multiemployer plans in general. He has been a contributor the Michigan Building Tradesman and has authored a number of instructional pieces for multiemployer plan trustees, with a particular focus on withdrawal liability and the Pension Protection Act (PPA).