Overview
Sharon is a true expert in ERISA and benefits law, responsive, fun to work with, and explains legal concepts clearly in plain English.
- Chambers USA 2022
Sharon Quinn Dixon is a Shareholder in both the Tax Department and Labor & Employment Department. Sharon's practice focuses on employee benefits for businesses and estate planning for individuals.
Sharon advises business clients about their employee benefit plans and executive compensation, including 401(k) plans, COBRA issues, Section 125-Cafeteria Plans, Code Section 409A issues for all forms of deferred compensation, equity-based plans for employees, Affordable Care Act issues, other medical and insurance plan questions, and tax and ERISA compliance and litigation matters involving benefit plans. Additionally, Sharon is experienced with merger and acquisition due diligence reviews, planning for employee benefits in implementing Family Leave Act policies and stock option and stock appreciation rights plans.
Sharon counsels individual clients in the development and implementation of their estate plans, including federal estate, gift and income tax issues. Sharon represents corporate and individual fiduciaries in connection with the administration of estates and personal trusts. Sharon has particular expertise in estate planning for retirement benefits.
Sharon also counsels individuals and organizations about the formation and operation of tax exempt organizations, including with respect to obtaining and maintaining their tax status with the Internal Revenue Service.
Sharon is a regular contributor to the firm’s labor and employment law blog, BeLabor the Point.
Representative Experience
- Correction of 401(k)and retirement plan compliance deficiencies and submission for IRS approval.
- Review and redesign of numerous deferred compensation arrangements for compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.
- Representation of employer-plan sponsors in audits of IRS and U.S. Department of Labor.
- Representation of tax-exempt employers in connection with 403(b) and retirement plans (qualified and nonqualified) and health and welfare plans
- Successful defense of IRS challenges to estate tax valuation.
- Drafting personal trusts and planning for family business succession.
Professional & Community Involvement
- South Florida Trail Riders, Board of Directors, 2020-Present
- Estate Planning Council of Greater Miami, Inc., Board of Directors, 2012-Present
- American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, Fellow, Present
- American Bar Association, Tax Section, Employee Benefits Committee, Present
- The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section (RPPTL), Present
- Children’s Home Society, Southeastern Division, 2009-2020
- Chair of the Board, 2017-2019
Recognition
- Chambers USA, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation (Florida), Band 1, 2020-2023; Tax, Band 1, 2005-2019
- The Best Lawyers in America®, 1993-2018, 2020-2023
- Miami Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Lawyer of the Year, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2020-2021
- The Employment Law Issue, 2021
- Distinguished Estate Planner of the Year, Estate Planning Council of Greater Miami, 2022-2023
- Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2022
- Florida Trend's Florida Legal Elite, 2016
- South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyers in South Florida - Labor & Employment, 2008-2021
- AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Publications & Presentations
Events:
WEBINAR: Leveraging your 401(k) Plan to Increase Employee Retention
February 2023
Events:
The COBRA And Benefit Earthquake and Our Staffing/Payroll Company Just Went Belly Up
Stearns Weaver Miller's 2022 Annual Miami Labor & Employment Law Seminar|October 2022
Publications:
Don't Ignore IRS ESRP Notices!
BeLabor the Point Blog|August 2022
Events:
WEBINAR: The Mystery of Disappearing Employees and Electronic Information
Stearns Weaver Miller Webinar|July 2021
Events, Firm Announcements, In the Media, Labor & Employment News Update, Publications:
Breaking Through the Noise: Labor & Employment Issues Post-Pandemic
Stearns Weaver Miller News Program Special|June 2021
Events:
WEBINAR: COBRA Conundrum - Changes to COBRA Under the American Rescue Plan Act
Stearns Weaver Miller Webinar|April 2021
Publications:
State tax withholding and other obligations for remote workers. What you don’t know CAN hurt you. (PART 1)
BeLabor the Point Blog|March 2021
Events:
Estate Planning For Expats
January 2021
Newsroom
Firm Announcements:
Sharon Quinn Dixon Receives 2022-2023 Distinguished Estate Planner Award
June 2023
Firm Announcements:
29 Stearns Weaver Miller Lawyers in 11 Practice Areas Ranked In Chambers USA 2023
June 2023
Firm Announcements:
28 Stearns Weaver Miller Lawyers in 12 Practice Areas Ranked In Chambers USA 2022
June 2022
Events, Firm Announcements, In the Media, Labor & Employment News Update, Publications:
Breaking Through the Noise: Labor & Employment Issues Post-Pandemic
Stearns Weaver Miller News Program Special|June 2021
Firm Announcements:
Stearns Weaver Miller Lawyers Recognized in 2021 Florida Super Lawyers
June 2021
In the Media:
Hear from Marlins, Fisher Island and EEOC leaders about post-COVID labor issues
Miami Herald|June 2021
Firm Announcements:
29 Stearns Weaver Miller Lawyers in 12 Practice Areas Ranked In Chambers USA 2021
May 2021
Firm Announcements:
Stearns Weaver Miller Lawyers Recognized in 2020 Florida Super Lawyers
June 2020