Bruce D. Gillies is of counsel to the firm, practicing in the firm's business law and employment law departments. He specializes in employee benefits, including pension plans and welfare benefit plans, and has experience in employee issues related to business mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and down-sizing. He brings broad knowledge of business law gained in his 35 years of practicing law, including direct experience with business formations, acquisitions and dispositions, and a wide range of contracts.

Much of his benefits practice focuses on ERISA matters relating to pension and welfare benefits plans. He assists employers in reviewing and evaluating alternatives and structuring programs that meet federal and state standards, and reviews existing plans to ensure they conform to relevant regulations. He has reviewed employee benefits programs for small businesses and for large publicly-held corporations. Mr. Gillies also provides general business counseling and is available to advise clients on will and estate planning matters relating to pension benefits.

Mr. Gillies is a member of the Fee Arbitration Panel of Alameda County Bar Association. California state law requires attorneys to arbitrate fee disputes with clients, and Mr. Gillies is one of the county's most experienced panelists, having served in a multitude of arbitrations over more than 20 years.

The seventh attorney to join the law firm now known as Donahue Gallagher Woods LLP, Mr. Gillies became associated with the firm in 1964 and was made a partner in 1968. He earned his law degree in 1962 from Boalt Hall, University of California at Berkeley, and his A.B. degree in economics in 1959 from Stanford University. He is a member of the State Bar of California and the Alameda County Bar Association.

Mr. Gillies is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.  An AV Rating is given only to attorneys who have reached the height of professional excellence and are recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.

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