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Overview

Summer Conley is leader of the firm's benefits and executive compensation group. She guides companies through the complicated legal landscape surrounding employee benefits. She advises on qualified plan, health and welfare and executive compensation issues related to:

  • Retirement plan committee fiduciary responsibilities
  • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Labor (DOL) correction procedures
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
  • Section 125
  • Health care reform
  • Alternative plan investments

Summer helps companies comply with HIPAA privacy regulations and health care reform rules, and she assists plan sponsors and fiduciaries in complying with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code.

Summer drafts various plan documents, including summary plan descriptions and employee communications, and she counsels clients on establishing, changing and terminating benefits programs and on entering into benefits services agreements. She assists pension plan clients with the process of reviewing alternative investment fund materials and negotiating related side letters.

Related Topics

Credentials

Bar Admissions

California

Education

Pepperdine University School of Law
J.D. Valedictorian, Pepperdine Law Review

University of California, Santa Barbara
B.A.

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives

Firm Blog Contributions

  • LaborSphere – a resource providing coverage and insights on breaking cases, recently enacted legislation and a broad range of labor issues
  • Spotlight on Benefits – a blog offering practical insight on legal developments which impact benefit plans

Leadership & Community

Professional Associations

  • Western Benefits Conference Program Committee, 2011-13
  • American Bar Association, Taxation Section — Fringe Benefit Subcommittee (Former Junior Liaison)
  • Western Pension & Benefits Conference, Los Angeles Chapter — Past President

Firm Leadership

  • Leader, Benefits & Executive Compensation Group, 2023-present
  • Benefits Committee