Employee benefits have been revolutionized.
Health Care Reform, the demise of DOMA and an aging workforce all contribute to the new landscape. While potentially overwhelming for employers, these changes also present new opportunities to attract and retain talented workers.
We approach employee benefits with a real-world, business savvy outlook.
Having spent time “in the trenches” as HR, governmental, general counsel and CPA professionals, we know the ins and outs of the laws and regulations governing employee benefits, which means we go beyond legal advice to provide strategic counsel on how your benefits programs can align with your overall business objectives.
Employee benefits touch many areas of your business—your employees’ health and future, your financial stability, tax obligations and your ability to compete in the market.
Our team is built around specific areas of practice, which allows us to identify the nuanced issues that can bring your benefits plans to the next level.
We see the whole picture and are committed to designing plans that will carry you safely and successfully into the future.
Employee Benefit Plan Review | January 01, 2022
In the newest installment of their monthly “Ask the experts” column, Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington, DC partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnette, all of the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, describe several requirements related to COVID-19 that still apply to group health plans, along with recent changes to the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System for correcting retirement plan administrative errors.
Employee Benefit Plan Review | November 01, 2021
In the newest installment of their monthly “Ask the Experts” column, Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington, DC partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnette, all from the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, outline the legal considerations for employers implementing COVID-19 vaccine incentives or surcharges; new fee disclosure requirements for health and welfare plan brokers; and best practices for plan sponsors when restating their pre-approved documents to the IRS.
Employee Benefit Plan Review | October 08, 2021
In the newest installment of their monthly “Ask the Experts” column, Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington, DC partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnette, all from the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, outline the patchwork of new requirements aimed at increasing health care cost transparency and providing best practices for group health plan sponsors to ensure compliance with the rules.
Law360 | September 21, 2021
This article spotlights the arrival of Los Angeles Corporate counsel Jean Yu as a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team. Los Angeles office managing partner Justin Thompson is also quoted on the firm’s continued growth on the West Coast.
Bloomberg Law | September 17, 2021
This roundup of notable legal news and moves mentions the arrival of Los Angeles Corporate counsel Jean Yu as a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team.
Rochester Business Journal | September 02, 2021
This article, which covers the growing shift among employers to take more forceful measures when incentivizing workers to get vaccinated, extensively quotes Rochester Corporate partner Brian Kopp, of the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, and Labor & Employment partner Stephanie Caffera on the prospect of charging unvaccinated employees to compensate for health care costs, and the rules employers must abide by if they decide to pursue this path.
Employee Benefit Plan Review | August 20, 2021
In the newest installment of their monthly “Ask the experts” column, Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington, DC partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnnette, all in the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, analyze the Department of Labor’s recent cybersecurity guidance and provide best practices for retirement plans.
Employee Benefits Plan Review | July 27, 2021
Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington, D.C. partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnnette, all with the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, contributed this column addressing various questions about health benefit coverage, including parity requirements for mental health and medical benefits, in addition to the application of continuing “COBRA” benefits for former employees.
Employee Benefit Plan Review | June 10, 2021
Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington DC partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnette, all of the Corporate group, contributed this article analyzing the new federal laws requiring employer-sponsored group health plans to prove that their plans satisfy all aspects of the parity regulations between mental health and medical benefits.
The Boston Globe | May 18, 2021
Providence Labor & Employment senior counsel Andrew Prescott is quoted in this article on the job-search requirement for people receiving unemployment benefits, noting that reinstating the requirement could help send the right message since unemployment benefits are intended to be a short-term cushion until workers find new employment.
Bloomberg Law | April 15, 2021
This article on COBRA subsidies included in the American Rescue Plan quotes Washington, DC Corporate partner Damian Myers, of the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, on challenges employers face—from communicating details of the subsidy to their laid-off workers to recouping money from the government that they spend on the subsidized coverage.
Inside Health Policy | March 26, 2021
Rochester Corporate partner Brian Kopp, of the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, is quoted in this article on COBRA subsidies included in the newly enacted American Rescue Plan, noting potential challenges for employers. The article also links to a client alert Brian wrote with Chicago Corporate partner Yelena Gray and Washington, DC Corporate partner Damian Myers, both of the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team.
Journal of Compensation and Benefits | March 12, 2021
Washington, DC partner Damian Myers, Chicago partner Yelena Gray, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnette, all of the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, contributed this article summarizing the temporary relief for flexible spending accounts in the December 2020 stimulus law, highlighting important takeaways for plan sponsors.
Law360 | February 10, 2021
Chicago partner Yelena Gray and Washington, D.C. partner Damian Myers, both of the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, are quoted throughout this article on steps employers can take to ensure they are in compliance with the mental health parity law that took effect on Wednesday.
Law360 | January 21, 2021
Rochester Corporate partner Brian Kopp, of the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, is quoted in this article on legislation introduced Thursday that aims to solve the multibillion-dollar union pension funding crisis.
Bloomberg Law | January 11, 2021
In this article on key retirement proposals that benefits advisers are watching for the new Congress, San Francisco Corporate counsel Claire Rowland, of the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation team, is quoted for her outlook on required minimum distributions relating to the excise tax, account holders with less than $100,000 saved, and raising the participation age to 75.
Law360 | January 03, 2021
Washington, D.C. Corporate partner-elect Damian Myers, of the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, is quoted on how the upcoming U.S. Senate runoff elections in Georgia could impact negotiations related to the multiemployer pension crisis.
HR News | December 01, 2020
This article on the shrinking number of funds offered to 401(k) plan participants quotes a recent Fall Employee Benefits Briefing blog post written by Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation leader and Corporate partner Eric Paley, Corporate partners Christian Hancey and Brian Kopp, and Corporate associates Lena Gionnette and Jenny Holmes, all in Rochester; and Washington, D.C. Corporate counsel Damian Myers.
Rochester Business Journal | September 25, 2020
Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team leader and Rochester Corporate partner Eric Paley is quoted in this article on how some companies are freezing contributions to their employees’ 401(k) contributions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rochester Business Journal | August 21, 2020
Rochester Labor & Employment partner Stephanie Caffera contributed this column on a recently enacted New York law that requires employers across the state to provide paid sick leave to workers. The column was adapted from a prior NP alert written by Stephanie and Rochester Labor & Employment associate Michael Caputo.
Law360 | July 29, 2020
San Francisco office managing partner and Corporate partner Karen Ng was quoted in this article for her outlook on the federal government’s interest in Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association v. California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program, and the rise in ERISA privacy and cybersecurity lawsuits in Harmon et al. v. Shell Oil Co. et al.
HR Magazine (Society for Human Resource Management) | March 18, 2020
Rochester Labor and Employment partner Kim Harding, Rochester Corporate partner Brian Kopp, and Long Island Labor and Employment associate David Tauster co-wrote this contributed article, based on their NP client alert, analyzing the new mandatory sick-leave deal in New York state.
The Sacramento Bee | December 09, 2019
San Francisco labor and employment partner Bonnie Glatzer is quoted in this article about California’s Assembly Bill 5, a new law that redefines how companies classify employees and who qualifies to receive full employment benefits.
Law360 | June 20, 2019
Boston Corporate partner Tom McCord is quoted in this article discussing the stretch IRA, a popular retirement planning technique that was eliminated in a bill recently passed by the House of Representatives.
Bloomberg Radio | April 22, 2019
In this radio segment, the hosts interview Boston Labor and Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth about Massachusetts’ new family and medical leave law and how it may impact employers.
Law360 | March 12, 2019
Providence Complex Commercial Disputes partner Steve Richard and San Francisco Labor and Employment counsel Chuck Dyke are mentioned in this article for their representation of Brown University in a matter involving employee retirement savings accounts.
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Team Leader, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
Phone: 585-263-1012
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