Janet Downs, Jd Email & Phone Number

Houston, Tx, Us

Rolling Meadows, Il, Us

Rolling Meadows, Il, Us

Rolling Meadows, Il, Us

• Benefit Plan Guidance: Assist consultants and clients with questions related to ERISA, PPACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA and applicable state laws concerning employee benefit plans.• Industry Presentations: Present timely topics to local compliance groups including SHRM, clients, and broker groups related to ACA, HIPAA and ERISA.• Compliance Documentation: Assist clients with preparation of necessary compliance documentation related to employee benefit plans, including plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and HIPAA policies and procedures.

• Client Advisories: Research, draft and publish advisories informing clients on recent legal developments related to employee benefit plans.• Employee Benefit Plan Review: Review client benefit plans for compliance with federal and state laws, including ERISA, PPACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and applicable state laws.• HIPAA Compliance: Present HIPAA training for employers, covered entities and employees.Prepare privacy and security policies and additional documentation to ensure client compliance with HIPAA.• Plan Documents: Create plan document templates for health & welfare plans and cafeteria plans and draft documents to fit clients’ needs.• Due Diligence: Review plan documents and offer guidance in mergers and acquisitions to ensure compliance, grandfather status, protected benefits and future required amendments.• Annual Disclosures: Create disclosure templates for clients to ensure compliance with nnual disclosures.• Non-Discrimination Testing: Assist in development of non-discrimination testing format for cafeteria plans.• Benefit Plan Guidance: Keep abreast of legal developments to assist in answering clients' questions and keeping them competitive in the market.

Houston, Texas, Us

Research & Writing• Analyze provisions of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and impact on plan sponsor. Provide written explanation of effect, on annual basis, to both grandfathered and non-grandfathered plans for senior counsel and clients.• Research effect of changes to HIPAA through the enactment of HITECH and provide written analysis of process changes, policies, business associate agreements with vendors and training for covered entity employees. • Draft and review plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and summary of material modifications.• Track and review state statutes with possible implications on ERISA plans and provide analysis and action plan for senior counsel and clients.• Draft corporate and human resource approvals for amendment to health, welfare, qualified and non-qualified plans.• Review and produce denial letters for complex plan appeal denials.• Communicate with regulatory agencies and research issues associated with determination letters, Department of Labor audits, IRS reporting.Plan Compliance• Research detailed issues within ERISA plans involving plan provisions, plan history and facts and circumstances surrounding particular issues.• Review, approve, and execute legal orders, including qualified domestic relation orders, qualified medical support orders, powers of attorney, administration of estates and guardianships.• Review vendor contracts for compliance with company provisions and ERISA.• Prepare calculation and assemble Summary Compensation Table for Form 10-K.• Create human resource processes to comply with both federal and state laws.

Houston, Texas, Us

Research & Writing• Analyze provisions of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and impact on plan sponsor. Provide written explanation of effect, on annual basis, to both grandfathered and non-grandfathered plans for senior counsel and clients.• Research effect of changes to HIPAA through the enactment of HITECH and provide written analysis of process changes, policies, business associate agreements with vendors and training for covered entity employees. • Draft and review health and welfare plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and summary of material modifications.• Draft corporate and human resource approvals for amendment to health, welfare, qualified and non-qualified plans.• Review and produce denial letters for complex plan appeal denials.• Communicate with regulatory agencies and research issues associated with determination letters, Department of Labor audits, IRS reporting.Plan Compliance• Research detailed issues within ERISA plans involving plan provisions, plan history and facts and circumstances surrounding particular issues.• Review, approve, and execute legal orders, including qualified domestic relation orders, qualified medical support orders, powers of attorney, administration of estates and guardianships.• Review vendor contracts for compliance with company provisions and ERISA.Plan Design• Design new qualified plans in relation to spin-off and compliance with Pension Protection Act safe harbor provisions with Qualified Default Investment Alternatives.• Serve as Secretary on plan committee for all ERISA plans involved in planning and administration decisions.Plan Administration• Plan administration of health, welfare, qualified and non-qualified plans.• Calculation of qualified and non-qualified benefits for both employees and highly compensated employees.• Prepare and present executive benefit summaries to high level executives to promote understanding of their benefits.

Plan Design• Participate in two separate corporate spin-offs for Temple-Inland and ConocoPhillips by planning and assisting in design of health, welfare, qualified and non-qualified plans.• Design new qualified plans in relation to spin-off and compliance with Pension Protection Act safe harbor provisions with Qualified Default Investment Alternatives.• Serve as Secretary on plan committee for all ERISA plans involved in planning and administration decisions.Plan Administration• Plan administration of health, welfare, qualified and non-qualified plans.• Calculation of qualified and non-qualified benefits for both employees and highly compensated employees.• Prepare and present executive benefit summaries to high level executives to promote understanding of their benefits.Public Speaking• Presentation to human resource professionals regarding the cessation of company stock as a default investment option and implementation of a Qualified Default Investment Alternative.

Juris Doctor, Law

Bachelors Of Liberal Arts, History