Sharon Quinn Dixon | Stearns Weaver Miller

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 2023

Sharon Quinn Dixon is a Florida Board Certified tax lawyer with over four decades of experience advising business clients about their employee benefit plans and executive compensation as well as individuals and organizations regarding their estate, probate and trust planning and administration.

Sharon has particular technical proficiency and an ability to simplify and demonstrate complex legal concepts. She has been ranked Band 1 (the highest ranking) in Chambers USA since 2005 and Best Lawyers in America® has named her Miami Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Lawyer of the Year five times.

Areas of Concentration

Employee Benefits

Tax and ERISA compliance and litigation matters involving 401(k), retirement and equity incentive benefit plans
Executive compensation issues including nonqualified deferred compensation plan compliance with tax Code Section 409A
Representation of employer-plan sponsors in audits by 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
Correction of 401(k) and retirement plan compliance deficiencies and submission for IRS approval
COBRA issues
Section 125-Cafeteria Plans
Equity-based plans for employees including stock option and stock appreciation rights plans
Medical and insurance plan questions
Affordable Care Act compliance, reporting and “penalty tax” issues
Merger and acquisition due diligence reviews and agreements
Planning for employee benefits in implementing Family Leave Act policies

Estate, Probate and Trust Planning and Administration

Estate planning for retirement benefits
Development and implementation of individual estate plans
Federal estate, gift and income tax issues
Representation of corporate and individual fiduciaries in connection with the administration of estates and personal trusts
Successful defense of IRS challenges to estate tax valuation
Drafting personal trusts and planning for family business succession
Formation and operation of tax exempt organizations, (including obtaining and maintaining tax status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS))

Professional & Community Involvement

American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, Fellow, Present
American Bar Association, Tax Section, Employee Benefits Committee, Present
The Florida Bar, Tax and Real Property Probate and Trust Law (RPPTL) Sections, Present
Estate Planning Council of Greater Miami, Inc., Present, Board of Directors, 2012-2023
South Florida Trail Riders, Present, Board of Directors, 2020-2022
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-Present; Tax, Band 1, 2005-2019
Forida Trend, Legal Elite NOTABLE – Women Leaders in Law, 2024
The Best Lawyers in America®, 1993-2018, 2020-Present
- Miami Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Lawyer of the Year, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2025
- The Employment Law Issue, 2021
Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-Present
- Top 50 Women Florida Super Lawyers, 2024
- Top 100 Miami Super Lawyers, 2024
Distinguished Estate Planner of the Year, Estate Planning Council of Greater Miami, 2022-2023
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: Donor Advised Funds vs. Private Foundation – A Panel Discussion
KSDT, CPA|June 2024

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

Publications: Employers unsure about benefits for furloughed workers
Southeast Employment Law Letter|December 2020

Publications: Six Months of Benefits on Furlough – Now What?
BeLabor the Point Blog|September 2020

Events: Back to Work or No More Work? - Employee Benefits Issues
July 2020

Publications: Top Takeaways from Our Back to Work Virtual Chat
BeLabor the Point Blog|June 2020

Events: Back to Work Virtual Chat
Stearns Weaver Miller Webinar|June 2020

Events: Virtual Webinar - Drafting to Protect the Settlor from Himself
Estate Planning Council of Greater Miami Workshop + Presentation|April 2020

COVID News Update, Labor & Employment News Update, Publications: Federal Paid Leave Law Signed by President Trump
BeLabor The Point Blog|March 2020

Publications: Covering Summer Interns Under Your Employee Benefit Plans – You Can’t Just Forget About Them
BeLabor the Point Blog|June 2019

Events: Guess What HR Forgot When Employees Went on Long-Term LOA? After FMLA and ADA, Remember Your Benefit Plans
Stearns Weaver Miller's 29th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2019

Events: Guess What HR Forgot When Employees Went on Long-Term LOA? After FMLA and ADA, Remember Your Benefit Plans
Stearns Weaver Miller's Annual Tampa Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2019

Publications: Dave & Buster’s Settlement – Busted! But Not So Fast….
BeLabor the Point Blog|January 2019

Events: Hype vs. Reality: The Effect of Recent Guidance on Your Employee Benefit Plans
Greater Miami Society for Human Resource Management|November 2018

Publications: Covering Summer Interns Under Your Employee Benefit Plans – You Can’t Just Forget About Them
BeLabor The Point Blog|June 2018

Events: Another ERISA Fiduciary Duty? Protecting Your Benefit Plan's Confidential Information
Stearns Weaver Miller's 28th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|April 2018

Labor & Employment News Update, Publications: Retirement Plan Hurricane Relief for Affected Participants
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|November 2017

Events: The DOL Fiduciary Rule and Other Developments
GMSHRM|November 2017

Events: Executive Compensation and Partnership Awards
Greater Miami Tax Institute|August 2017

Events: Finding the Well in Wellness Programs
Stearns Weaver Miller's 27th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2017

Publications: EEOC Wellness Plan Controversy: All’s Well That Ends Well?
BeLabor The Point Blog |April 2017

Events: The Changing HR Landscape: A Post-Inauguration Overview
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce|March 2017

Publications: What’s in YOUR COBRA Notice? Insufficiencies Could Drain Your Wallet
BeLabor The Point Blog|January 2017

Events: New EEOC Wellness Guidelines and Incentive Programs Under the Affordable Care Act
GMSHRM 2016 Legal Update |September 2016

Publications: Don’t Forget About ACA Compliance With Staffing Firm Service Agreements
BeLabor The Point Blog|August 2016

Events: Warning Signals Ahead: Hot Employee Benefit Plan Issues for 2016
Stearns Weaver Miller's 26th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2016

Publications: Have an Election Season Free From Tax Penalties!
BeLabor the Point Blog |March 2016

Publications: Turn a FICA Sting Into a FICA Benefit
BeLabor the Point Blog |January 2016

Publications: So Boring but So Important – Vendor Service Agreements
BeLabor the Point Blog |November 2015

Events: Hot Topics in Benefits Compliance What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
Crystal & Company|September 2015

Publications: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished – Improper Extension of Benefits After Termination of Employment
BeLabor the Point Blog |June 2015

Events: Quick Beauty Tips for Your Employee Benefits Package
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 25th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar |May 2015

Publications: Let My People Go (to the Marketplace)
BeLabor the Point Blog |November 2014

Events: The Top HR “Need to Knows” about the Affordable Care Act
Stearns Weaver Miller Labor & Employment Breakfast Series|November 2014

Events: It’s Not Just a Form! – Important Details in IRA/Plan Beneficiary Designations
Estate Planning Council of Greater Miami|October 2014

Events: The Affordable Care Act and its Effect on Businesses and Individuals
Miami-Dade County Bar Association|September 2014

Events: Wine Tasting & Estate Planning Seminar
Stearns Weaver Miller Miami Office|September 2014

Events: Trust and Estate Law CLE webinar
American Bar Association Section of Real Property|August 2014

Publications: Health Care Reform – Business as Usual (for Now)
BeLabor the Point Blog |August 2014

Publications: It’s Summer: How to Treat Your Interns Under the ACA
BeLabor the Point Blog |June 2014

Events: The Top 10 HR “Need to Knows” About the Affordable Care Act As We Drive Into 2015
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 24th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2014

Events: Ready or Not, Here it Comes: What HR Really Needs to Know About The Affordable Care Act
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 23rd Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2013

Publications: Florida Employment Law Manual
Florida Chamber of Commerce|January 2013

Events: Sudden Death and Divorce: The Employee Benefit Concerns
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 22nd Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2012

Events: Healthcare Reform & Benefit Planning: Managing Change, Mitigating Cost
Stearns Weaver Miller Labor & Employment Breakfast Series|October 2011

Events: Tax Issues on Settlement of Employment Cases
Florida National Employment Lawyers Association Summer Conference|September 2011

Events: Dancing with the Regulators: Benefits Regulations Galore for 401(k) and Health Plans…Tune in for the Latest Steps
Seminar Stearns Weaver Miller’s 21st Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar|May 2011

Events: Benefits Think Tank- New Burdens on Your 401 (k) Plan: Are You Prepared?
Stearns Weaver Miller Labor & Employment Breakfast Series|April 2011

Events: Time For Action on Employer-Sponsored Group Health Plan Mandates
Webinar|August 2010

Events: Employee Benefits In A State Of Flux
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 20th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2010

Events: What’s The Deal with Electronic Discovery and the Paperless Office?
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 18th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar|May 2008

Events: Employment Law Speed Dating
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 18th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar|May 2008