This course focuses on pension and welfare benefit plans that are created as result of a collective bargaining relationship between a labor union and one or more employers. It concentrates on the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, “ERISA”, which is the primary statute governing the operation of private employee benefit plans. Topics to be covered include rules governing participation in employee benefit plans, establishing entitlement to benefits, investment of plan assets, interplay between the collective bargaining relationship and the provision of employee benefits, considering benefit claims and appeals, and employee benefits litigation. Particular emphasis in the course is placed on compliance with the fiduciary obligations ERISA imposes on employee benefit plan trustees, as well as on the role and responsibility of attorneys representing employee benefit plans. In addition to a final exam, the course requires either a brief research paper or an in-class presentation.