REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
Vanessa’s recent representative experience includes:
- Counseling a global textile manufacturer on the application of Section 409A to its executive employment arrangements.
- Advising a Fortune 100 company with regard to the employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of a $50 million stock acquisition of a retirement services company.
- Representing a major quasi-governmental entity in extensive negotiations with multiple qualified plan service providers on the implementation of the final Section 403(b) regulations to a non-ERISA plan.
- Counseling several Fortune 500 companies regarding benefits design and compliance issues associated with the PPACA.
- Advising a national financial services organization on employee benefits policy issues.
- Counseling a large government entity on complex compliance issues involving a multi-jurisdictional defined benefit plan.
PROFESSIONAL HONORS AND AWARDS
- Nolan Fellow, Section of Taxation, American Bar Association (ABA)
- Ambassador (Fellow), Business Law Section, ABA
- Recognized by The Legal 500 United States in the area of tax: employee benefits and executive compensation (2011)
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Chair, Tax Section, National Bar Association
- Chair, Diversity Committee, Tax Section, ABA
- Member, Nominating Committee, Tax Section, ABA
- Member, Editorial Board, The Practical Tax Lawyer
- Counsel to the Board of Directors, D.C. Action for Children
- Member, Board of Directors, Upper Montgomery County Assistance Network
RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Co-author, “How To Buy Health Coverage In An Insurance Exchange,” Employment Law360 (September 9, 2011)
- Co-author, “Notice Offers Relief From Compensation Deduction Limit for Some Health Insurers,” BNA Tax Management (March 28, 2011)
- Co-author, “Nondiscrimination Rules under PPACA Delayed,” Employee Benefits News (January 2011)
- Co-author, “New Rules on Extension of Health Plan Coverage to Children Up to Age 26,” Employee Benefits News (April/May 2010)
- Co-author, “Lessons Learned From Worker Classification Cases,” Employment Law360 (November 14, 2008)
- Author, “Fallacies of Presumption: Unpacking the Impact of The Section 409A Proposed Regulations on Stock Appreciation Rights Issued by Privately-Held Companies,” Tax Lawyer (Spring 2006)
- Speaker, “2012 Legislative Matters and Their Impact," Sutherland Tax Series: Session II (December 6, 2011)
- Faculty Member, “Mergers and Acquisitions Due Diligence For ERISA Attorneys,” American Bar Association Joint Committee on Employee Benefits, New York, New York (June 2011)
- Speaker, “Employee Benefits Mergers & Acquisitions Update” and “The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the Internal Revenue Code,” American Bar Association Section of Taxation May Meeting (May 5-7, 2011)
- Faculty Member, “Health and Welfare Plans: Health Reform,” Annual National Institute on Health and Welfare Plans, American Bar Association Joint Committee on Employee Benefits, Arlington, Virginia (October 2010)
- Speaker, “Health Care Reform: Technical Aspects and Practical Considerations for Employers,” Seminar, American Bar Association Joint Committee on Employee Benefits, Washington, D.C. (September 2010)
- Speaker, “Health Care Reforms of 2010 – A Transformed Health Insurance Landscape,” Lecture Series, New York City Bar Association, New York, New York (June 2010)
- Speaker, “Health Care Reform: Issues for Insurers,” Seminar, Life Insurance Council of New York, Washington, D.C. (June 2010)
- Speaker, “Time for a Check-up: What are You Telling Your Clients about Health Reform?” Lecture Series, District of Columbia Bar Association, Employee Benefits Committee, Washington, D.C. (May 2010)
- Speaker, “SEC Disclosure and Executive Compensation Arrangements,” Annual Continuing Legal Education Expo, Minority Corporate Counsel Association, Chicago, Illinois (March 2010)
- Faculty Member, “Health and Welfare Plans: Responding to Change,” Annual National Institute on Health and Welfare Plans, American Bar Association Joint Committee on Employee Benefits, Arlington, Virginia (October 2009)
