Professional Experience
Ms. Lawler is a member of the firm's Executive Board. Her practice primarily involves the design, submission, implementation, merger, termination, and interpretation of qualified pension plans, as well as advice regarding fiduciary issues in connection with ERISA plans. She also designs nonqualified plans such as excess benefit plans, SERPs, deferred compensation arrangements, and rabbi trusts to fund such plans. Ms. Lawler advises clients on benefits issues in corporate transactions and outsourcing arrangements. With respect to welfare benefit plans, she advises clients on the tax and ERISA implications of issues related to plan design, amendment, and termination. She also routinely counsels clients on Medicare Part D issues, COBRA, and HIPAA.
Ms. Lawler's practice publishes Day Pitney's Employer's Law Blog (www.EmployersLawBlog.com), a weblog that presents the latest news in labor, employment, and employee benefits law.
News, Publications & Presentations
· Featured, "Seventy-two Day Pitney Lawyers Named to Best Lawyers List for 2012," Day Pitney Press Release, October 4, 2011
· Co-author, "Tax Impact of New York Same-Sex Marriage Law on Employees and Employers," Day Pitney Alert, August 10, 2011
· Featured, "Chambers USA 2011 Names 45 Day Pitney Attorneys as 'Leading Lawyers for Business'," Day Pitney Press Release, June 10, 2011
· Speaker, "Annual Labor and Employment Conference," Day Pitney Seminar, Parsippany, NJ, June 8, 2011
· Featured, "Thirty-three Day Pitney Attorneys Named New Jersey Super Lawyers," Day Pitney Press Release, March 31, 2011
· Co-author, "FBAR Update for Employee Benefit Plans," Day Pitney Alert, March 21, 2011
· "Prospective Relief for Insured Group Health Plans that Change Insurance Carriers," Day Pitney Alert, November 22, 2010
· Co-author, "In-Plan Roth Conversions," Day Pitney Alert, October 18, 2010
· Featured, "Seventy-six Day Pitney Lawyers Named to Best Lawyers for 2011," Day Pitney Press Release, August 9, 2010
· Co-speaker, "Live Webinar: Health Care Reform Changes - Employers Need to Start Planning Now!" Day Pitney Webinar, July 8, 2010
· Co-author, "DOL Issues Final QDRO Regulations," Day Pitney Alert, June 30, 2010
· "Is Your Group Health Plan Grandfathered?" Day Pitney Alert, June 23, 2010
· Featured, "Chambers USA 2010 Names 40 Day Pitney Partners as 'Leading Lawyers for Business,'" Day Pitney Press Release, June 11, 2010
· Co-author, "Draft Application and Instructions for Early Retiree Reinsurance Program Certification Posted on OMB Website," Day Pitney Alert, June 4, 2010
· Co-author, "PPACA's Early Retiree Reinsurance Program - Are You Ready to Apply?" Day Pitney Alert, May 19, 2010
· "President Obama Signs Additional COBRA Subsidy Extension," Day Pitney Alert, March 9, 2010
· Co-author, "Are You Required to File an FBAR? FinCEN and IRS Issue Additional Guidance Important to Benefit Plans and Their Fiduciaries," Day Pitney Alert, March 8, 2010
· Featured, "Seventy-seven Day Pitney Partners Named to Best Lawyers 2010," Day Pitney Press Release, July 30, 2009
· Featured, "Day Pitney Partners Named 'Leading Lawyers for Business' by Chambers USA 2009," Day Pitney Press Release, June 16, 2009
· Speaker, "Are Your Welfare Plans Ready for 2009?" Day Pitney Webinar, April 15, 2009
· Featured, "Thirty Three Day Pitney Attorneys Named New Jersey Super Lawyers," Day Pitney Press Release, April 1, 2009
· "The Wait is Over! Department of Labor Issues Model COBRA Subsidy Notices," Day Pitney Alert, March 30, 2009
· Co-author, "Summary of COBRA Provisions of the 2009 Stimulus Package," Day Pitney Alert, February 20, 2009
· Featured, "75 Day Pitney Partners Named Among The Best Lawyers in America® 2009 Ranked #1 in New Jersey and #2 in Connecticut," Day Pitney Press Release, December 11, 2008
· Co-author, "Section 409A Documentary Compliance Deadline Fast Approaching," Day Pitney Alert, November 21, 2008
· Co-author, "Health Reform Update: Fair Share Contribution and Other Issues," Day Pitney Alert, October 14, 2008
· Co-author, "New and Improved EPCRS!," Day Pitney Alert, September 3, 2008
· Featured, "Chambers USA 2008 Ranks 39 Day Pitney Attorneys as Leaders in Their Fields," Day Pitney Press Release, July 22, 2008
· Co-author, "Employment Law Update: IRS Releases Dollar Limitations on Benefits and Contributions to Pension Plans for 2008, Final Regulations for Qualified Default Investment Alternatives, and Mass Confusion: Update on Massachusetts Health Care Reform," Day Pitney Alert, November 9, 2007
· Co-author, "Partial Plan Termination Guidance," Day Pitney Alert, July 5, 2007
· "Although Congress Amended Sec. 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code Last Year to Simplify Discrimination Testing for Pension Plans, Questions Remain," The National Law Journal, July 28, 1997
· "Microsoft: The Worker Reclassification Nightmare," CCM, February 1997
· "ERISA Top Hat Plans Subject to Contract Law," CCM, October 1996
· "Supreme Court Broadens Fiduciary Liability," CCM, June 1996
· "ERISA Section 204(h) Notice Requirements," CCM, February 1996
Professional Affiliations
· American Bar Association, Employee Benefits Committee, Tax Section
· New Jersey State Bar Association, Employee Benefits Committee, Tax Section, past chairperson
· Worldwide Employee Benefits Network, New Jersey Chapter, past chairperson
Outside Interests
· The Philadelphia Institute, instructor for the institute's Pension Law and Administration Certificate Program at various locations throughout the country, 1992-1995
Awards and Achievements
· Chosen for inclusion in Chambers USA Legal Directory as a leading employee benefits attorney, 2006-2011
· Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits Law, 2012 and for over 15 years
· Chosen in The Newark Area's Best Lawyers as Employee Benefits Lawyer of the Year, 2011
· Recognized as one of New Jersey Monthly's "Top Lawyers" each year since 1997
· Recognized as a New Jersey Super Lawyer in the area of employee benefits/ERISA, 2005-2011
· Recognized as one of the Top 50 female New Jersey Super Lawyers, 2006-2008
· AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell