American Immigration Lawyers Association

Company Facts

Location: Washington, D.C.
Type of business: National association of attorneys who practice and teach immigration law
Number of employees: 49
Founded: 1946
Web site: www.aila.org

Benefit highlights

“We believe in investing in the welfare of our employees. We’re in it for the long haul.”
–Crystal Williams, executive director, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

100 percent employer-paid medical insurance premiums for employees; 50 percent – 75 percent employer-paid medical insurance premiums for dependents
80 percent of employer-paid medical premiums for eligible part time employees
401(k) plan with a 50 percent employer match up to 6 percent of pay; average employee deferral of 7 percent
457(b) plan with average employee deferral of 6.6 percent
Profit sharing plan with 3 percent discretionary contribution in 2009
100 percent employer-paid premiums for short- and long-term disability insurance
100 percent employer-paid premiums for long-term care insurance
The American Immigration Council also participates in AILA’s benefit programs.

Percent of employees participating in 401(k) plan: 95%

How they've continued to protect the financial security of employees in this economy:
AILA maintained their employee benefits—including a discretionary retirement plan contribution—by enlisting employees’ help in reducing expenses. “Everyone really pulled together,” said Theresa Waters, senior director, HR and Administration for the American Immigration Lawyers Association. “The key was that we kept them informed of the budget at every monthly staff meeting. Everyone felt a sense of ownership.”

Other interesting facts:

401(k) plan features automatic enrollment and automatic deferral increases
Negotiated with health insurer to eliminate premium increases two years in a row
One-on-one retirement planning meetings with benefit providers are mandatory for new employees and employees nearing retirement

Why Judges Selected AILA

Video Icon Watch a video of comments from 10 Best judge Debra Hall-Pope.

Read the transcript

“The 100 percent employer-paid medical insurance premium for employees was one of the reasons we chose American Immigration Lawyers Association, as well as the fact that they pay 80 percent of (eligible) part-time employees' premiums. Over the last two years, they also negotiated a zero increase in their health insurance—you rarely see that in these difficult times.”
– Deborah Hall-Pope, 10 Best judge, chief Human Resources and Organizational Services Officer, ASCD—winner of The Principal 10 Best Companies–2009

Financial Advisors who are the broker of record on AILA’s 401(k) plan:
Howard McMillian, III, and Jeff LeClair, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

Financial professional who advises on benefits programs:
Jack Gocke, Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA