In a strategic move to enhance its corporate department, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr announced on Monday the addition of Amanda Albert, a partner from K&L Gates. Amanda Albert is set to join the firm’s tax practice, where she will provide counsel on employee benefits and tax matters, particularly in the context of transactions….
The US Labor Department’s newly amended exemption to federal benefits law has triggered significant contemplation among major Wall Street banks over their approach to managing 401(k) plans. The amended standards, effective immediately, impose stricter disclosure and recordkeeping requirements on asset managers who handle workplace retirement funds. These changes include enhanced net-worth and assets-under-management thresholds, and…
In a strategic move to bolster its compensation and benefits practice, Cooley has announced the addition of Michael Bergmann and Scott McCall as partners. Bergmann will be based in Washington, while McCall will operate out of San Diego, according to the firm’s statement on Monday. Bringing a wealth of experience, Bergmann focuses on executive compensation,…
Jason Ertel has joined Paul Hastings as a partner within the firm’s global compensation, benefits, and ERISA practice, the firm announced Thursday. Ertel brings to Paul Hastings an extensive expertise in advising public and private companies, private equity sponsors, management teams, and corporate boards on various issues related to executive compensation, employee benefits, and corporate…
In a recent development within the executive compensation legal sector, Jason Ertel has joined Paul Hastings LLP as a partner in the firm’s global compensation, benefits, and ERISA practice based in New York. Ertel’s move from Fried Frank to Paul Hastings is expected to bolster the firm’s capabilities in executive compensation, benefits, and ERISA law.
Littler Mendelson has expanded its employee benefits and executive compensation team in Seattle by appointing Briana Swift as a shareholder. Swift, formerly of K&L Gates, specializes in the design, drafting, and administration of health and welfare plans, employee benefit plans, and retirement plans. Additionally, she provides counsel on tax compliance issues and matters under the…
In a recent development, a U.S. federal judge in Chicago recognized the validity of the class action lawsuit filed against CITGO Petroleum Corp, involving over 1,700 members and beneficiaries. This ruling arrives in the wake of the dismissal of the fuel company’s summary judgement motion. CITGO is being sued on allegations that it has underpaid…
Legal professionals may be interested to know that Greg Ossi has joined Norton Rose Fulbright as a partner in the firm’s Washington office. This news was announced by the firm on Monday. Ossi has a rich background in representing employers in collective bargaining, labor law, and ERISA matters. He’s highly skilled in litigating disputes around…
The U.S. Labor Department has finalized a contentious rule raising the fiduciary standards for retirement plan advisers despite significant resistance from Wall Street. The rule from the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) aims to equip regulators with more oversight over major Wall Street players and necessitate costly disclosure exemptions from companies. EBSA…
An Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) lawsuit has been filed against Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, a leading global law firm, by one of its lawyers. The attorney alleges that her long-term disability benefits were unlawfully and suddenly terminated by the firm’s benefits plan. She further accuses the plan of using criteria that bear…
Renowned attorney from Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP has recently filed a lawsuit against the firm’s welfare benefit plan and Unum Life Insurance Co. of America. The attorney leverages allegations stating that her disability benefits were wrongly terminated despite the persistent severe symptoms, which apparently have been aggravated due to job-related stress. Regarded as one…
Efforts to streamline tax processes through technology have been ongoing for years, with tax administrations frequently incorporating various tools such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems into their operations. Similarly, many accounting firms have significantly invested in expanding their IT capacities. One major example of technological integration into tax administration is the use of Artificial…
The future of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) has sparked conversations among legal professionals as the U.S. Supreme Court considers two significant decisions. The pending cases, notably Relentless v. U.S. Department of Commerce and Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, involve challenges launched by fishing companies against regulatory requirements that could potentially chip away…
An established Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC shareholder is embarking on a new journey, leaving behind an 18-year career at the law firm. This seasoned legal professional has been announced as the new executive director of the ERISA Industry Committee’s Legal Center. The announcement was made by the group on Friday. With a…
The legal world saw a significant move this week as former US Magistrate Judge, Douglas E. Arpert, joined the counsel at Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP in their mediation, arbitration, and special master appointments practice. The announcement comes according to a statement released by the firm this past Friday. Arpert is noted for his vast…
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP have announced the addition of a new member to their labor and employment practice group. Kindall C. James, a seasoned lawyer specializing in labor and employment issues, has now been appointed as a partner in the firm’s Houston office according to a recent press release by the firm. James’s main…
Health insurance giant Aetna is confronting a lawsuit under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) following a denial of coverage for inpatient mental health treatment of a minor, a recent report in Law.com revealed. ERISA is a federal law designed to protect individuals in health plans sponsored by private employers. Aetna has been named…
International law firm Armstrong Teasdale strengthens its arm with the addition of Craig W. Spenner to its Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice. Previously a corporate services partner in a New York firm, Spenner has now joined Armstrong Teasdale, as the firm confirmed earlier this week. Spenner, an acknowledged legal professional on lines of ERISA…
Former Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel at Lincoln Financial, Georgiene “Gina” Alsdorf, has moved to Carlton Fields. This was announced by the firm on Tuesday. Joining as a shareholder, Alsdorf is now part of the firm’s financial services regulatory practice in Washington D.C. Alsdorf brings with her a reputation for handling complex issues that…
Verizon’s disability benefits plan lost a bid to repossess more than $40,000 in benefits disbursed to a previous employee by initiating a lawsuit against her lawyer. The focus of the case was an unsettled ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) question concerning the responsibility of proof. In this instance, Verizon failed to establish that the…
Evan Parness, a notable figure in the legal world, has recently been added to the ranks of Covington & Burling as a partner in their employment practice group in New York. This news was announced by the firm recently on Tuesday. This is indeed a significant addition to the firm, considering Parness’s extensive experience and…
In a recent announcement made Thursday, Traci M. Clements has been inscribed to the ranks at Fox Rothschild, taking her place as a partner in their Dallas branch. Her areas of expertise fall within the employee benefits and compensation sectors, as well as labour and employment departments. Clements’ prior experience is underpinned by her work…
The Eleventh Circuit court has declined to revive dual proposed ERISA class-action suits that allege Allstate improperly cut off lifetime insurance benefits for certain retirees. The plaintiffs had argued their case should be reconsidered on the grounds the presiding federal judge held stock in Allstate. However, their appeal was dismissed. This ruling comes as a…
In a prominent legal resolution, LinkedIn Corp. has agreed to pay $6.75 million to over 17,000 current and former employees. This agreement comes in response to allegations lodged against the company’s 401(k) plan administrators accusing them of inadequate investment monitoring. It was endorsed by a federal judge who was involved in the proceedings of the…
Seyfarth Shaw, a leading global law firm, is bolstering its Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Department by welcoming its new partner, Alan Wilmit, as announced recently. The addition of Wilmit is expected to enrich the department based in New York, marking another significant milestone in the firm’s continuous growth. Possessing extensive experience in the realm…