John Paliga

John Paliga serves as an Adjunct Professor of employee benefits law at Washington University in St. Louis with over fifteen years of teaching experience. He is a highly accomplished legal expert specializing in ERISA and tax issues, providing counsel to businesses and individuals for thirty years. His professional roles include membership on the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) Appeals Board and maintaining an active private practice exclusively focused on employee benefit disputes and compliance.

His research and professional expertise encompasses pension plan qualification under the Internal Revenue Code, defined benefit plan terminations, multi-employer withdrawal liability, and complex employee benefit issues in mergers and acquisitions. He also specializes in fiduciary responsibilities, QDROs (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders), and tax qualification requirements for benefit plans, reflecting deep engagement with regulatory frameworks governing retirement systems.

Professional honors include:

• Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel (ACEBC)

He has held significant leadership positions including Co-Chair of the Employee Benefit Plans and Executive Compensation Group within the ABA Section of Real Property, Trust & Estate Law, and instrumental involvement in the Nell Hennessy Employee Benefits Moot Court Competition.