Joseph B. Hurst, Jr., is the head of the firm's Employee Benefits Practice Group, where he has practiced for more than 25 years.  He serves as a member of the firm's Management Committee.  Joe's practice includes extensive experience in the design, implementation and administration of tax-qualified retirement plans (including defined benefit pension plans, profit sharing plans, 401(k) plans and ESOPs), nonqualified deferred compensation plans and health and welfare plans for financial institutions, regular business organizations, professional corporations, and governmental and non-profit organizations.

He assists plan sponsors and fiduciaries with regulatory compliance with ERISA and HIPAA, with state and federal tax issues, and with local legislation affecting retirement and welfare plans. In addition, he acts as counsel to plan sponsors and fiduciaries with respect to ERISA controversies and litigation.

Joe has been listed in Chambers and Partners USA:  America's Leading Lawyers for Labor and Employment:  Compensation and Benefits since 2008.  He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Employee Benefits since 1989.  Chambers and Partners is particularly regarded for the quality of research conducted prior to listing a firm or attorney.  They note, "Joseph Hurst handles complex employee benefits work and comes highly recommended by sources for the quality and depth of his work, which has seen him represent numerous major clients including Dillard’s and Stephens."

• New York University School of Law, LL.M. in Taxation, 1981
• University of Arkansas School of Law, J.D., With Honors, 1980
• Vanderbilt University, B.A.in Business and Accounting, cum laude, 1977

• Listed in Chambers and Partners USA:  America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Labor and Employment:  Compensation and Benefits, 2008-Present
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Employee Benefits, 1989—Present
• Selected by attorney peers for inclusion in Mid-South Super Lawyers, since 2008

• American Bar Association, Tax Section, 1980—Present
• Arkansas Bar Association, 1980—Present
• Pulaski County Bar Association, 1980—Present
• Southwest Benefits Association
• ESOP Association
• American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries, 1999—Present; Associated Professional
• National Association of Stock Plan Professionals
• The Gulf Coast Area TE/GE Council, 2001—Present
• PWBA Dallas Regional Office Practitioner Group, 2001—Present
• Community Associations
• Quapaw Council, Boy Scouts of America, 2000 – Present, Board Member
• The Arkansas Arts Center, 2001 – Present, Trustee

• Kappa Sigma
• Phi Delta Phi

• Arkansas, 1980
• United States Tax Court