Melanie J. Hancock, counsel in the firm's Employee Benefits and Compensation Group, has significant experience in a full range of employee benefits and executive compensation matters. Ms. Hancock's practice involves counseling public and private businesses of all sizes on their employee benefits plans, with an emphasis on health and welfare plans. She frequently assists both for-profit and nonprofit entities regarding their qualified and nonqualified employee benefits plans, including 401(k) and 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans, ESOPs and other stock-based benefits, and health, welfare, and other fringe benefit plans. She also assists clients with respect to benefits issues associated with corporate transactions and reductions in force and provides benefits advice regarding mergers and acquisitions.
Ms. Hancock began her legal practice in the Hartford office of Robinson & Cole before moving to Tampa, Florida. Prior to rejoining the firm, Ms. Hancock worked as an attorney with the law firms of Holland & Knight LLP and Hill Ward Henderson.
She serves as a contributing editor for 401(k) Advisor and is a member of the Florida West Coast Employee Benefits Council and the Tampa Bay Pension Council.
Professional Associations
- Florida West Coast Employee Benefits Council, 2005 to 2007, Secretary
- 401(k) Advisor, Contributing Editor
- Sarasota-Manatee Human Resources Association, Board of Directors
- Tampa Bay Pension Council
- West Central Florida Healthcare Human Resources Association
Publications & Presentations
Presentations
- "Navigating the New Health Care Realities" (10/13/2011) presented at Paperboard Packaging Council's 2011 Fall Meeting and Leadership Conference
- "Employer Welfare Plans: The Alphabet Soup of Compliance" (8/3/2011) presented at Brown & Brown of Florida seminar entitled Overwhelmed with Today's Employee Benefits and HR Challenges?
- "Health Care Reform Update: 2011 and Beyond" (6/8/2011) presented at Paperboard Packaging Council's Human Resources Forum
- "How to Comply with the Most Recent Health Care Reform Guidance" (3/25/2011) presented at Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and Strategic Employee Benefit Services Spring Seminar
- "Health Care Reform: Preparing Employers and Health Plans for 2011 and Beyond" (2010) presented at Suncoast Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators, Tampa, Florida, and Strategic Employee Benefit Services, LLC, Hartford, Connecticut
News
2.29.12, Melanie Hancock Presents a Comprehensive Overview of Health Care Reform
11.07.11, Melanie Hancock Addresses Health Care Reform at Paperboard Packaging Council's 2011 Fall Meeting
8.17.11, Melanie Hancock Goes through the ABC's of Employer Welfare Plan Compliance
6.14.11, Melanie Hancock Addresses Health Care Reform at PPC Human Resources Forum
5.16.11, Attorney Elected to Sarasota-Manatee Human Resources Association Board
4.21.11, Melanie Hancock Presents on New Health Care Reform Laws
4.05.11, Benefits Attorneys Present at CBIA's 2011 Compensation & Benefits Conference
11.11.10, Attorneys Explore New Topics for Employers
10.20.10, Health Care Reform Webinar Prepares Employers and Health Plans for Coming Changes
9.16.10, Preparing Employers for Healthcare Reform Changes
(Also at Sarasota, Florida Office)