Introduction
Kelly Hathorn serves as counsel on Nixon Peabody’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation team. She advises clients on all compliance-related aspects of qualified and non-qualified benefit plans, including pension plans, 401(k) plans, executive compensation and equity incentive plans, and health and welfare benefit arrangements.
Admitted to practice in Connecticut and supervised by a member of the firm who is a member of the New York Bar
My focus
I am a full-service employee benefits counselor skilled at providing strategic guidance on the design, implementation, and compliance of retirement plans, health and welfare benefit programs, and executive compensation arrangements. I advise on the benefits-related aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and corporate transactions, including COBRA compliance, and the integration of post-merger plans. I partner with fiduciary committees to manage compliance and reduce risk, applying complex legal concepts in a digestible way and maintaining an eye towards practicality and business-focused results. Additionally, I have extensive experience helping large nonprofit entities address their unique benefits challenges.
Looking ahead
Clients are struggling with rising benefit costs, evolving fiduciary requirements, and compliance challenges. They need a defined approach to plan governance and administration, particularly in the health and welfare space, which is seeing an uptick in plan-focused litigation. Nixon Peabody is well-positioned to advise on best practices and help plan sponsors navigate the changing environment.
In the news
- Crain’s New York Business
People on the move
March 27, 2026This article features the NP arrival of New York City Corporate counsel Kelly Hathorn, a member of NP’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team.
- Law360
Nixon Peabody adds real estate attorneys to SF, DC offices
March 13, 2026This article highlights the NP arrivals of San Francisco Construction & Real Estate Litigation counsel Dawn Valentine and Washington, DC Affordable Housing & Real Estate counsel Sandy Buchko. Dawn is quoted on why she decided to return to NP, and Sandy is quoted on why she chose to join NP. The article also mentions the recent arrivals of Corporate counsel Troy Lieberman, Private Clients counsel Susan Robb, and Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense counsel John Mulcahy, all of the Boston office, and New York City Corporate counsel Kelly Hathorn, a member of NP’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team.
- International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
The latest DOL developments impacting benefits
Feb 25, 2026The article covering US Department of Labor (DOL) developments impacting benefits references and quotes a recent client alert by New York City counsel Kelly Hathorn and Rochester associate Emily Pellegrini, both of the Corporate practice and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, on new ERISA class actions.
Admitted to practice
Connecticut
U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
Education
University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D.
College of the Holy Cross, B.A.
Professional activities
- Connecticut Bar Association
- “Benefits and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act,” University of Connecticut School of Law (guest lecturer)
- Connecticut Law Review, articles editor
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllEric Paley
Partner / Team Leader, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation- Rochester
- Rochester +1 585.263.1012
- epaley@nixonpeabody.com
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Damian A. Myers
Partner/ Fiduciary Task Force Co-Lead- Washington, DC
- Washington, DC +1 202.585.8485
- dmyers@nixonpeabody.com
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Charles M. Dyke
Partner / Leader, ERISA Litigation Practice- San Francisco
- San Francisco +1 415.984.8315
- cdyke@nixonpeabody.com
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