PSNC 2020: Legislative and Regulatory Update Part 1

Co-founding Partner, Cohen & Buckmann P.C.
Carol is a co-founding partner of Cohen & Buckmann. With a career that spans more than 35 years, Carol has become one of the foremost employee benefits and ERISA attorneys in the country. She is widely known for her in-depth understanding of issues related to ERISA, including pension plan compliance, fiduciary responsibilities and investment fund formation. Her clients – global and U.S. companies – and attorneys rely on her for advice related to complex pension law and fiduciary problems. She also is experienced at advising global employers on U.S. and cross-border employee benefit matters. Carol writes for the firm’s blog, Insights, and contributes regularly to the “Ask the Lawyer” column on 401kTV. In addition to opining about new developments in the benefits industry, Carol also speaks frequently at industry and client events. Prior to founding Cohen & Buckmann, Carol was Counsel in the New York Office of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and spent 23 years as specialist and ERISA Counsel at Sullivan & Cromwell.

Jodi Epstein
Partner, Ivins, Phillips & Barker, Chartered
Jodi H. Epstein is a partner in Ivins, Phillips & Barker’s Employee Benefits practice. She focuses on qualified plans, with particular expertise in integrations after acquisitions, setting up benefit platforms, and advising qualified plan committees regarding their fiduciary duties. Jodi’s practice includes day-to-day compliance issues, such as assisting with implementation of new legislation and regulations, trouble-shooting when glitches arise in plan operations, and helping qualified plan committees monitor plan investments and plan vendors. Her practice also includes the one-of-a-kind issues that can arise, usually in connection with M&A activity. Jodi did her undergraduate work at Stanford University, graduating with distinction in 1988. She graduated from Harvard Law School in 1993 (cum laude). She has been at Ivins since 1997.

George Sepsakos represents clients on a broad range of ERISA, federal tax and securities law matters. His practice is primarily focused on issues related to Title I of ERISA, including fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction issues. For example, George’s practice includes: Regularly defending plan trustees, fiduciaries, and service providers in investigations and enforcement proceedings brought by the Department of Labor. Representing clients in front of the Department of Labor (DOL), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), seeking advisory opinions, prohibited transaction exemptions, no action letters, and other guidance. Counseling banks, broker-dealers, recordkeepers, investment managers and advisers and other financial services companies on the structuring and marketing of retirement plan services and products. Advising clients on compliance with DOL’s final regulation defining the term “fiduciary.” Regularly counseling large employers and plan committees to develop processes and best practices regarding plan investments, including the acquisition and management of employer securities, and plan governance matters. Conducting reviews and internal audits of plan governance and administrative practices. George is a frequent speaker and author on a range of employee benefits related topics. Prior to joining the firm, George worked as an ERISA Enforcement Advisor within the Office of Enforcement of the Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration.