Lawyers

Quitman Stephens (“Q”) is a partner in the firm’s Dallas office.  Q’s practice focuses on planning and compliance issues related to ERISA, employee benefits, executive compensation, tax and the recently-enacted, “health care reform” law, the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (PPACA).  In addition to playing a leading role within the firm’s ERISA group, Q serves as national director of the firm’s practice on PPACA.

Q is experienced in matters relating to the formation and operation of employee benefit and executive compensation plans and arrangements, employee benefit and executive compensation issues in mergers and acquisitions, and counseling on all aspects of PPACA.  Q is a passionate advocate for wellness and fitness, and regularly oversees compliance for employers with respect to workplace “wellness” programs and arrangements.  He is also experienced in the formation and operation of private-equity fund vehicles in compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s “plan assets regulations,” and has handled several complex ERISA-litigation matters, including controversies involving retiree-medical, qualified, and nonqualified plan issues, as well as governmental plans.

Prior to joining Gordon & Rees, Q practiced law at Cantey Hanger and previous to that, Jones Day.  During his nine-year tenure with Jones Day, he advised clients such as CB Richard Ellis, Highcross Funds, LaSalle Real Estate Funds, Market Street Capital partners Funds, Morgan Stanley Real Estate Funds, Orion Funds, and other investment funds with ERISA plan assets on ERISA compliance with respect to the formation and operation of their funds. Much of that work involved  international investment projects requiring coordination with lawyers and other professionals in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Macao, and China. 

Also while at Jones Day, Q advised Toni & Guy on employee benefits and employee-related matters in conjunction with the $400 million sale of its hair care products business to Unilever in January 2009.

Q also has experience in tax controversy matters, including federal, state, and local tax matters, and international tax issues involving the Foreign Investment Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA). 

Before attending law school, Q worked as an assistant director of a ground transportation company in Paris, France. Q is fluent in French.  Q is also an avid fan of, and the firm-wide expert on the Beatles and is closely associated with the local, Dallas-based Beatles cover band, Hard Nights Day. 

Admissions

Texas

Memberships

American Bar Association, Taxation Section
Dallas Bar Association, Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Section; Taxation Section 

Community Involvement

Q serves as Lead Judge for The Dallas Morning News Regional Spelling Bee, which is broadcast live on a Saturday morning each spring by the local ABC affiliate, WFAA-TV/Channel 8.  As a teenager, he won the Dallas Morning News Regional Spelling Bee in both 1984 and 1985, and placed ninth in the 1985 National Spelling Bee. 

In the Media

"Wellness, Prevention Critical to Cost Containment" Ft. Worth Business Press, October 26, 2012

"Consumers will love healthcare overhaul, Dallas lawyer predicts"  Star-Telegram, October 17, 2012

"UPDATE:  Area leaders react to Supreme Court Ruling," Ft. Worth Business Press, June 28, 2012

"Attorney expects health care law to be upheld," Star-Telegram, November 6, 2011

"Fort Worth Attorney Says Don't Wait for Health Care Law," CBS-DFW, November 6, 2011