Rachel Morowitz Email & Phone Number

Seattle, Washington, United States

As a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation group, I advise plan administrators and employers, including government entities and nonprofit organizations, on ERISA and tax compliance issues, particularly with regard to plan design, drafting, and administration of tax-qualified and non-qualified arrangements. I also regularly assist with benefits and compensation matters arising in mergers and acquisitions, including the integration of plans and arrangements following the transaction.Named to Washington’s 2022 and 2023 Rising Star List

Greater Seattle Area

Associate Attorney in firm's nationally recognized complex litigation department. Litigated cases concerning a number of different subject matter areas, including ERISA, state consumer protection acts, and RICO. Drafted dispositive and discovery motions, coordinated party and non-party discovery, managed client communications in MDL litigation, provided consulting services to government and non-profit entities on employee benefit issues. Trial experience.Named to Washington’s 2020 and 2021 Rising Star List Recognized as a Law360 Legal LionCo-led the firm’s winning efforts for the 2019 and 2020 Legal Foundation of Washington’s Associates Campaign for Equal Justice, which funds legal aid for Washingtonians who need it.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

AARP Foundation Litigation (AFL) is an advocate in courts nationwide for the rights of people 50 and older, addressing diverse legal issues that affect their daily lives and assuring that they have a voice in the judicial system. Provided analysis on cutting-edge developments in employee benefits law with respect to ERISA preemption, whether they are limited or expanded by the courts' interpretations, and how the Foundation can play a role (i.e. state-based retirement savings arrangements; bans on discretionary clauses; and challenges to the DOL’s conflict of interest rule).Developed talking points for AARP state offices regarding trends in ERISA-related litigation, state legislation, and policy. Conducted ancillary research for potential litigation and regulatory concerns (i.e. Article III standing and notice and comment procedures).Assisted Senior Attorneys with extensive amicus work.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

The Communications Workers of America ("CWA") represents 700,000 workers in private and public sector employment in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. CWA members work in telecommunications and information technology, the airline industry, news media, broadcast and cable television, education, health care and public service, law enforcement, manufacturing and other fields. The Washington, D.C. office houses CWA's headquarters. The General Counsel's office plays both a management and union-side role as it advocates on behalf of CWA's members and CWA as an employer. Clarified how federal courts, the National Labor Relations Board, and arbitrators treat labor law issues and disputes (i.e. duty to bargain; Board deferrals to arbitration; no-strike clauses; jurisdictional questions between CWA and other AFL-CIO affiliated unions; language in employee handbooks; 10(j) injunctions; plant closures). Provided advice on the union’s obligations to its members, headquarters staff, and employees nationwide.Supported preparation efforts for upcoming arbitrations and trials. Drafted position statement for a Board proceeding and a post-arbitration brief.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

The Public Justice Advocacy Clinic focuses primarily on employment law and disability law. Under faculty supervision, students represent low-income clients in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, D.C. Superior Court, D.C. Court of Appeals, and in administrative courts in cases involving wage and hour, unemployment compensation, disability, and other issuesSuccessfully advocated in unemployment insurance hearings before an Administrative Law Judge at the District of Columbia’s Office of Administrative Hearings. Drafted complaints, discovery requests, demand letters, and settlements. Conducted intake interviews and served as main point of contact for clients.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

O'Donoghue & O'Donoghue LLP is one of the largest and oldest union-side law firms in the United States. Working from offices in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, O'Donoghue attorneys provide comprehensive legal representation to labor unions, employee benefit plans, and individual workers on a local, regional and national basis.Conducted legal research on a number of issue areas, including: collection of delinquent contributions in multi-employer plans and Fund disclosure requirements under ERISA, trusteeships under LMRDA, FLMA requirements, construction skill shortages, and project labor agreements. Undertook a pro bono project assisting a veteran facing foreclosure and managed throughout. Represented the firm at the AFL-CIO’s Minority Outreach Program, a conference for minority status law clerks.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

The Division of Plan Benefits Security provides legal services to the Employee Benefits Security Administration in connection with the implementation and enforcement of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Federal Employees Retirement Security Act (FERSA).Examined changes the Affordable Care Act made to ERISA health plans and how this affected the way plaintiffs sought relief under the statute’s civil enforcement provisions. Provided background research on possible defendants to assist attorneys in the enforcement of targeted areas.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

The Reporter of Decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States is the official charged with editing and publishing the Court's opinions both when announced and when they are published in permanent bound volumes of the United States Reports.Worked closely with the Reporter of Decisions to prepare the U.S. Reporter for publication. Confirmed that information on the Court’s docket was correct by reading through petitions for certiorari and cross-referencing their appellate history with information provided by the Court’s docket.

Sacramento, California Area

Mercury Public Affairs is a public strategy firm with offices nationwide. The Sacramento, CA office is primarily concerned with California-specific legislation and lobbying efforts. -- Drafted persuasive and advocacy based op-eds and letters to the editor.-- Prepared extensive research memorandums for clients and office staff.-- Created press lists and conducted follow-up calls with members of various media outlets, and compiled daily news clips for clients. -- Earned two promotions

Sacramento, California Area

Received, processed, and distributed all statement, interview, and media requests for the Governor. Constantly monitored all major news outlets for stories pertaining to the Governor, and formulated and distributed news alerts to the executive office.Copy-edited, fact-checked, and released all official statements made by the Governor. Attended off-site appearances to collect and relay the Governor’s statements to the executive office.

San Mateo, California

A music blog dedicated to delivering popular non-chart/radio tracks to a growing community. In a growing movement music blogs became the new place to find new music and discover newly emerging artists. ILS participated on two large music aggregators HypeMachine and Elbo.ws. Originally ILS started as a hobby for friends to share music with each other, but it became a public sensation quickly averaging 160K unique views a month and 2.4M views with in it's first year. ILS was also very profitable from CPC ad integration, as well as auctioning off advertising spots monthly.

San Mateo, Ca

Responsibilities included: assisting the office with identification and coordination of constituency services; drafting email responses to constituents; and completing individual project to attend to constituent concerns.

San Mateo, Ca

Responsibilities included: assisting the office with identification and coordination of constituency services; attending off-site meetings with constituents; completing individual projects which attended to constituent concerns; conducting administrative tasks to help the office work efficiently and smoothly.

San Francisco

The Born Equal Campaign demonstrated a grassroots effort by the San Francisco Democratic Party to repeal Proposition 8. Responsibilities included: educating the public about the party's Born Equal Campaign; persuading individuals to make financial contributes and volunteer their time; maintaining both a calm and professional demeanor in an often emotionally charged environment.

Doctor Of Law (J.D.), Labor And Employment Law

Activities and Societies: Federal Circuit Bar Journal

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), International Relations

High School Diploma, High School/Secondary Diplomas And Certificates