Christian D. Hancey

My focus

I counsel employers on all types of traditional benefit plans, including defined benefit pension plans, 401(k) and 403(b) plans, multiemployer plans, medical benefit plans, cafeteria plans, disability plans and other benefit plans.

I have substantial experience with executive compensation issues. For example, I draft stock-based compensation plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, supplemental executive retirement plans, severance plans, and change-in-control agreements.

I am actively involved in the firm’s transactional practice, working with employers to manage the transition of employees and their benefits during and after a merger or acquisition, as well as ERISA issues arising when investing in and structuring private equity and similar investments.

Working with employers and administrative committees, I regularly advise on the fiduciary oversight of ERISA plans, including retirement plan investments, appropriate plan expenses and claims for benefits and other plan administration issues.

I also have significant experience advising employers on IRS and Department of Labor audits and enforcement action.

Looking ahead

Regulatory reforms will continue to change the design and operation of retirement plans and group health plans. Employers will continue to seek more sophisticated techniques to enhance the value of employee benefit programs and better incentivize employees, including deferred compensation and equity incentive strategies.

Publications and Presentations

• Speaker, “Socially Responsible Investing in Retirement Plans and Endowments,” Western Association of College and University Business Officers (WACUBO), 2021 Virtual Annual Conference, (May 24, 2021)
• Speaker, “Tutorial: Understanding Your Fiduciary Obligations Under ERISA;” “Most Common Compliance Issues for Your Defined Contribution Plan;” and “Fee Equalization and the Essentials of Managing Retirement Plan Expenses;” University Conference Services Mid-Sized Retirement & Healthcare Plan Management Conference, September 15-17, 2019, Nashville, TN
• Speaker, “Tutorial: Understanding Your Fiduciary Obligations Under ERISA;” “Most Common Compliance Issues for Your Defined Contribution Plan;” and “Fee Equalization and the Essentials of Managing Retirement Plan Expenses;” University Conference Services Mid-Sized Retirement & Healthcare Plan Management Conference, June 4-6, 2019, Chicago, IL
• Speaker, “Tutorial: Understanding Your Fiduciary Obligations Under ERISA;” “Most Common Compliance Issues for Your Defined Contribution Plan;” and “Fee Equalization and the Essentials of Managing Retirement Plan Expenses;” University Conference Services Mid-Sized Retirement & Healthcare Plan Management Conference, May 5-7, 2019, Boston, MA
• Speaker, “Tutorial: Understanding Your Fiduciary Obligations Under ERISA;” “Most Common Compliance Issues for Your Defined Contribution Plan;” and “Fee Equalization and the Essentials of Managing Retirement Plan Expenses;” University Conference Service’s Mid-Sized Retirement and Health Plan Management Conference, March 24-27, 2019, San Diego, CA
• Speaker, "Pre-Conference Tutorial: Fiduciary Obligations Under ERISA," Mid-Sized Retirement and Healthcare Plan Management Conference, March 25, 2018, San Francisco, CA
• Speaker, "Top 10 Most Common Retirement Plan Compliance Problems and How to Correct Them," Mid-Sized Retirement & Healthcare Plan Management Conference, March 26, 2018, San Francisco, CA
• Speaker, "Pre-Conference Tutorial: Fiduciary Obligations Under ERISA," Mid-Sized Retirement and Healthcare Plan Management Conference, May 6, 2018, New Orleans, LA
• Speaker, "Most Common Compliance Issues for Your Defined Contribution Plan," Mid-Sized Retirement and Healthcare Plan Management Conference, May 7, 2018, New Orleans, LA
• Speaker, "Fee Equalization and the Essentials of Managing Retirement Plan Expenses," Mid-Sized Retirement and Healthcare Plan Management Conference, May 8, 2018, New Orleans, LA
• Speaker, "Liability and Litigation in University Retirement Plan Management," Western Association of College and University Business Officers (WACUBO), May 2, 2017, Seattle WA
• Speaker, “Top 10 Most Common Retirement Plan Compliance Problems and How to Correct Them,” Mid-Sized Retirement & Healthcare Plan Management Conference, September 20, 2017, Austin, TX
• Speaker, “Pre-Conference Tutorial: Fiduciary Obligations Under ERISA,” Mid-Sized Retirement and Healthcare Plan Management Conference, September 17, 2017, Austin, TX
• Speaker, “Top 10 Most Common Retirement Plan Compliance Problems and How to Correct Them,” Mid-Sized Retirement & Healthcare Plan Management Conference, June 13, 2017, Chicago, IL
• Speaker, “Pre-Conference Tutorial: Fiduciary Obligations Under ERISA,” Mid-Sized Retirement and Healthcare Plan Management Conference, June 11, 2017, Chicago, IL
• Speaker, “Top 10 Most Common Retirement Plan Compliance Problems and How to Correct Them,” Mid-Sized Retirement & Healthcare Plan Management Conference, March 21, 2017, Phoenix, AZ
• Speaker, “Pre-Conference Tutorial: Fiduciary Obligations Under ERISA,” Mid-Sized Retirement and Healthcare Plan Management Conference, March 18, 2017, Phoenix, AZ
• Panelist, “Top 10 Compliance Issues for Your Retirement Plan,” Long Island CFO Committee, NYSSCPA, December 10, 2015
• Speaker, “Deferred Compensation: Achieving Significant Tax Benefits While Incenting Key Employees,” Harvard Club of Boston, September 24, 2015
• Speaker, “New Deferred Compensation Developments Present Opportunities for Business Owners,” New Haven Lawn Club, May 19, 2015
• Speaker, “Compliance review: Isn’t it time for a tune-up?” New York Employee Benefits Conference (NYEBC) Breakfast Meeting, February 13, 2014
• Speaker, “DOMA is Dead: Impact of its Obituary on Other Laws,” The New York State Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section Annual Meeting, January 31, 2014
• Speaker, “ERISA Budget Accounts: Revenue sharing in the retirement plans,” National Webinar, May 22, 2012
• Speaker, “2012 Employee Benefits Legal Update,” New York Employee Benefits Conference, March 15, 2012
• Speaker, “Demystifying the IRS and DOL Audit Processes,” National Webinar, September 16, 2012