Anne M. Meyer, Partner at our Phoenix law office
Anne M. Meyer vcard
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Anne M. Meyer

Partner
Biography

Anne Meyer is an experienced employee benefits and executive compensation attorney with more than 20 years of experience advising private and public companies, as well as nonprofit organizations, on the full spectrum of benefits-related matters. Anne guides clients through the complex regulatory landscape of the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), helping them design, implement, and maintain compliant benefit programs. Her practice spans Section 401(k) and other defined contribution plans, defined benefit and cash balance plans, equity compensation programs, and nonqualified and deferred compensation arrangements, including Section 409A compliance. Anne is experienced in employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of mergers and acquisitions, advising both buyers and sellers through all phases of a transaction. She also counsels on health and welfare arrangements and fringe benefit programs. She regularly counsels ERISA fiduciaries on their obligations and prohibited transaction rules, and she represents clients before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation on benefits-related matters.

Anne is a contributor to Snell & Wilmer’s SW Benefits Blog, which offers analysis and commentary on employee benefits and executive compensation matters.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona


Education

  • University of Iowa College of Law (J.D., with distinction)
    • Journal of Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems, Writer and Symposium Editor
  • University of Iowa, Bordeaux Comparative Law Program (Arcachon, France)
  • Loras College (B.A., Business and Physical Education, maxima cum laude)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2019-2026)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2025)
  • AZ Business Leaders Magazine, AZ Business Leaders (2020, 2022)
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business®
    • Employment & Labor (2019)
    • Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation (2020-2025)
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Employee Benefits (2022, 2024-2026)
    • Top 50 Attorneys (2026)
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars Edition, Employee Benefits/ERISA (2012-2016)
  • American Bar Association Section of Taxation, Nolan Fellow (2009)

Representative Matters

  • Advised buyers and sellers on employee benefits and executive compensation matters in M&A transactions, including benefits due diligence, deal structuring, purchase agreement provisions, transition services arrangements, and post-closing plan integration
  • Designed and drafted equity compensation plans, nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, and executive employment agreements for public and private companies and nonprofit organizations, including stock option plans, restricted stock and RSU plans, employee stock purchase plans, SERPs, notional equity plans, and change-in-control and severance agreements, with a focus on Section 409A compliance
  • Assisted public and private companies in identifying and correcting Section 409A plan document and operational errors, including developing compliant amendment and correction strategies to mitigate penalties and exposure
  • Designed, drafted, and implemented Section 401(k) plans, defined benefit plans, cash balance plans, and other qualified retirement plans for employers of all sizes, and counseled clients through plan amendments, freezes, mergers, partial terminations, and terminations, including coordination with the IRS and PBGC
  • Advised plan sponsors on compliance with the SECURE Act and the SECURE 2.0 Act, including implementation of Roth catch-up contribution requirements, long-term part-time employee eligibility rules, and employer matching contribution enhancements
  • Guided clients through correction of qualified retirement plan document and operational errors by preparing submissions under the IRS Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) and the DOL’s Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program, negotiating favorable outcomes with regulators
  • Counseled employers on qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) policies and procedures for defined benefit and defined contribution plans
  • Advised and trained ERISA plan fiduciaries on fiduciary duties, prohibited transaction rules, and evolving DOL fiduciary guidance, and counseled plan sponsors on cybersecurity best practices and policies to safeguard participant data and plan assets
  • Counseled a state agency on the administrative rules governing a qualified tuition program under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • State Bar of Arizona
    • Tax Section
      • Chair (2020-2021)
      • Chair Elect (2019-2020)
      • Budget Officer (2017-2018)
      • Secretary (2016-2017)
      • Executive Council, Member at Large (2014-2016)
      • Seminar Chair, State Bar of Arizona Annual Convention (2013)
  • American Bar Association
    • Section of Taxation
      • Employee Benefits Committee Defined Contributions Subcommittee, Vice Chair (2025 – 2026)
      • Joint Counsel on Employee Benefits meeting with IRS and Treasury, Scrivener (2007-2018)
      • Employee Benefits Committee’s Distributions Subcommittee, Chair (2015-2018), Vice-Chair (2012-2015)
      • Employee Benefits Committee’s Defined Benefit Subcommittee, Young Lawyer Liaison (2007-2009)
  • Western Pension and Benefits Council, Phoenix Chapter
    • President (2013-2014)
    • Secretary (2008-2009)
    • Board Member (2007-2017 and 2025-2026)
  • TE/GE Council
    • Pacific Area Member (2015-Present)

Community Involvement

  • National Charity League (2022-Present)
  • Assistance League of Phoenix, Advisory Council
  • UMOM New Day Centers, Inc., Board of Directors (2012-2018)
  • Iowa Law School Foundation, Class Agent
  • Valley Leadership Institute, Class 33

Representative Presentations and Publications

Client News
Client News
Jan 17, 2023

Snell & Wilmer Advises Digital Enablement Solutions Provider AVI-SPL in Acquisition of Adtech

Client News
Jun 02, 2022

Snell & Wilmer Represents Home Owner Association Management Company RealManage in Strategic Partnership with American Securities