Lori has focused her practice in the field of employee benefits and executive compensation since 1988.
Lori represents and advises private and publicly held clients with respect to the design and legal compliance of executive compensation programs, equity-based incentive compensation plans, severance and retention plans, tax-qualified plans, welfare plans, fringe benefit plans and ERISA fiduciary and prohibited transaction issues. She also counsels clients regarding compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA and other federal and state laws impacting employee benefit plans.
Lori often counsels venture capital and other private equity funds on the ERISA fiduciary implications associated with pension plan investors. She also assists clients in compliance with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Lori has substantial experience involving compensation and benefits issues associated with mergers and acquisitions, representing both acquiring and selling companies in connection with all types of asset and stock acquisitions and divestitures.
Notable Experience
· Over a six month period, Lori assisted a major financial institution with the continuing and "cloning" of employee benefit plans for 3,500 employees of a divested subsidiary.
· Lori has counseled privately held ESOP companies on managing ESOP repurchase liability.
· Lori recently advised a client on ERISA and Code prohibited transaction implications associated with Roth IRAs investing in a limited liability company and the subsequent investment by LLCs in entities owned by Roth IRA owners.
Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications
Lori was a speaker at the "New Techniques in Executive Compensation & Benefits" seminar presented by Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge and AON Consulting on September 30, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts where trends and current issues in executive compensation and benefits were discussed.
Lori has also spoken on consumer directed health plans, discussing the costs, options and benefits at a seminar presented by Edwards & Angell and Marsh. She also gave a presentation on cafeteria plan issues and HIPAA compliance to human resources managers.
Lori recently authored and co-authored several articles focusing on employee benefit issues, including:
· "IRS Proposes Regulations Under Code Section 162(M)," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, June 2011.
· "IRS Issues Guidance on Form W-2 Reporting for Health Care Costs," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, May 2011.
· "IRS Clarifies Section 403(b) Plan Termination Provisions," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, April 2011.
· "The IRS Delivers Welcome Relief to Fully Insured Group Health Plans by Delaying Affordable Care Act Nondiscrimination Rules," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, January 2011.
· "Two New Reporting Requirements Confront Employers In 2011 - Section 6039 Information Returns And Cost Basis Reporting," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, December 2010.
· "New Restrictions on Reimbursement for Over-the-Counter Medications Beginning in 2011," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, November 2010.
· "IRS Announces Retirement Plan Limitations for 2011," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, November 2010.
· "Health Care Reform: Extension of Group Health Plan Coverage to Adult Children," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge, July 2010.
· "COBRA Premium Subsidy Extended Through May 31, 2010," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, April 2010.
· "COBRA Premium Subsidy Temporarily Extended Again," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, March 2010.
· "IRS Releases Correction Program for Document Errors in Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, February 2010.
· "COBRA Premium Subsidy Extended," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, December 2009.
· "Executive's Agreement to Defer Salary Violates Massachusetts Wage Act, " Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Labor & Employment Bulletin, Fall 2009.
· "Recent IRS Guidance on Automatic Enrollment, Contribution of Unused Paid Time Off, Model 402(f) Tax Notices and Waiver of 2009 Required Minimum Distributions," co-author, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, November 2009.
· "IRS Announces Retirement Plan Limitations for 2010," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, October 2009.
· "Say on Pay - Not Just for TARP Recipients Anymore," co-author, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, September 2009.
· "Reduction in Force (RIFs) May Impact Qualified Retirement Plans," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Labor & Employment Bulletin, Summer 2009.
· "IRS Rules Allow Suspension or Reduction of Safe Harbor 401(k) Non-Elective Contributions Upon Substantial Business Hardship," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, June 2009.
· "Rhode Island Law Requires Employers to Maintain a Cafeteria Plan," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, June 2009.
· "COBRA Premium Subsidy Included in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Labor & Employment Bulletin, Spring 2009.
· "DOL Releases Model Notices for COBRA Premium Subsidy," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, March 2009.
· "COBRA Premium Subsidy Included in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, February 2009.
· "IRS Provides Relief from Deferred Compensation Rules for Faculty Paid on a 12-Month Basis," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, August 2008.
· "Taxation of Employment, Severance and Settlement Agreements," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, August 2007.
· "IRS Announces Program Offering Limited Relief For Employees Who Exercised Discounted Stock Rights in 2006 - Immediate Action Required," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP Client Advisory, February 2007.
· "IRS Extends Section 409A Compliance Deadline," Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, October 2006.
· "Does Your Fund Comply?" co-authored, American Venture, 2002.
· "Enron: An Employee Benefits Perspective," Edwards & Angell Counsellor, 2002.
· "Equity Compensation in Emerging Companies," Edwards & Angell Counsellor, 2001.
News & Publications
May 2012, Client Advisory - IRS Proposes Rules on Fees Assessed on Health Plans to Fund Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund
April 20, 2012, The Sweet Smell of Success
October 2011, Client Advisory - IRS Announces 2012 Retirement Plan Limitations
June 2011, Client Advisory - IRS Proposes Regulations Under Code Section 162(M)
May 2011, Client Advisory - IRS Issues Guidance on Form W-2 Reporting for Health Care Costs
April 2011, Client Advisory - IRS Clarifies Section 403(b) Plan Termination Provisions
January 2011, Client Advisory - The IRS Delivers Welcome Relief to Fully Insured Group Health Plans by Delaying Affordable Care Act Nondiscrimination Rules
December 2010, Client Advisory - Two New Reporting Requirements Confront Employers In 2011 - Section 6039 Information Returns And Cost Basis Reporting
November 2010, Client Advisory - IRS Announces Retirement Plan Limitations for 2011
November 2010, Client Advisory - New Restrictions on Reimbursement for Over-the-Counter Medications Beginning in 2011
July 2010, Client Advisory - Health Care Reform: Extension of Group Health Plan Coverage to Adult Children
June 8, 2010, EAPD Counsels Client in Acquisition of Mutual of Omaha's Employer Stop Loss Line
May 28, 2010, Congratulations to EAPD client, Palladium Equity Partners, LLP on Acquisition
April 29, 2010, EAPD Represents IAA in Announced Acquisition of AAHI
April 2010, Client Advisory - COBRA Premium Subsidy Extended Through May 31, 2010
April 9, 2010, Impact on Employers and Employer-Sponsored Health Plans
April 9, 2010, Impact of Employers and Employer-Sponsored Health Plans1:For Schools and Colleges
March 2010, Client Advisory - COBRA Premium Subsidy Temporarily Extended Again
February 2010, Client Advisory - IRS Releases Correction Program for Document Errors in Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans
December 2009, Client Advisory - COBRA Premium Subsidy Extended
Fall 2009, Executive's Agreement to Defer Salary Violates Massachusetts Wage Act
Fall 2009, Labor & Employment Bulletin - Fall 2009
November 23, 2009, EAPD Represents an Afflilliate of Palladium Equity Partners
November 2009, Client Advisory - Recent IRS Guidance on Automatic Enrollment Contribution of Unused Paid Time Off, Model 402(f) Tax Notices and Waiver of 2009 Required Minimum Distributions
October 19, 2009, Client Advisory - IRS Announces Retirement Plan Limitations for 2010
September 2009, Client Advisory - Say on Pay - Not Just for TARP Recipients Anymore
Summer 2009, Labor & Employment Bulletin - Summer 2009
June 2009, Client Advisory - Rhode Island Law Requires Employers to Maintain a Cafeteria Plan
June 2009, Client Advisory - IRS Rules Allow Suspension or Reduction of Safe Harbor 401(k) Non-Elective Contributions Upon Substantial Business Hardship
Spring 2009, Labor & Employment Bulletin - Spring 2009
March 2009, Client Advisory - DOL Releases Model Notices for COBRA Premium Subsidy
February 2009, Client Advisory - COBRA Premium Subsidy Included in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
November 3, 2008, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Represents Maiden Holdings in Acquisition of GMAC Re
August 2008, Client Advisory - IRS Provides Relief from Deferred Compensation Rules for Faculty Paid on a 12-Month Basis
June 4, 2008, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge client, AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. Announces Closing of Acquisition of Unitrin Business Insurance
August 15, 2007, Client Advisory - Taxation of Employment, Severance and Settlement Agreements
February 26, 2007, Client Advisory - IRS Announces Program Offering Limited Relief For Employees Who Exercised Discounted Stock Rights in 2006 - Immediate Action Required
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP
October 10, 2006, Client Advisory - IRS Extends Section 409A Compliance Deadline
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP
March 20, 2006, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Bulletin - Spring 2006
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP
January 2005, Labor and Employment Bulletin - Winter 2005
Edwards & Angell, LLP
Equity Compensation in Emerging Companies
Impact of New Deferred Compensation Rules On Severance Arrangements
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP
Events
April 5, 2012, Providence, RI, Providence Office Hosts Reception for Betaspring Teams
May 17, 2011, Overcoming the Challenges of Employee Benefits Communication & Compliance
September 30, 2008, New Techniques in Executive Compensation & Benefits
Before Edwards Wildman
Prior to becoming a Partner with the Firm, Lori garnered experience from the trustee perspective by working as an associate general counsel with State Street Corporation.
Besides Edwards Wildman
Lori is an active participant in the Smith Club of Rhode Island and a representative to the Moses Brown School Parents Association. She is a past board member of the American Lung Association of Rhode Island.
Industries
· Education
· Healthcare
· Tax-Exempt Organizations
Memberships
· ESOP Association
· International Foundation of Employee Benefits
· Massachusetts Bar Association
· New England Employee Benefits Council
· Rhode Island Bar Association
· Rhode Island Benefits Council