Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2027 
Joelle Tavan is an attorney with Trucker Huss APC in Portland, Oregon, where she focuses her practice on Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and qualified retirement plans. Her work includes advising clients on defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, including 401(k), profit sharing, ESOP, and money purchase pension plans, as well as retirement plans maintained by tax-exempt organizations and public employers.
Joelle counsels public and private employers on the design, administration, operation, and compliance of tax-qualified retirement plans. She prepares and reviews plan documents, summary plan descriptions, participant communications, and required notices for governmental agencies. Her practice also includes assisting clients with ongoing ERISA and Internal Revenue Code compliance matters affecting employee benefit plans.
Joelle advises plan sponsors and fiduciaries on correcting operational and compliance issues, including matters involving the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) and the Department of Labor’s Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (VFCP). She also represents clients in Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor audits, investigations, and regulatory reviews involving retirement and employee benefit plans.
In addition, Joelle works with employers on employee benefits and ERISA issues arising in mergers and acquisitions. She assists employers and multiemployer pension plans with matters involving prohibited transactions, withdrawal liability, fiduciary considerations, service provider agreements, and investment management agreements.
Joelle also advises Oregon public employers on PERS matters and related retirement benefit issues.
