Perfil
Lisa Christensen counsels employers ranging from small businesses to Fortune 100 corporations on the full scope of employee benefits and executive compensation compliance. She helps clients build and maintain compliance programs across qualified retirement plans, welfare benefit plans, fringe benefit arrangements, and executive compensation arrangements, translating complex regulatory requirements into practical, actionable guidance. Her practice spans plan administration, document drafting and revision, participant communications, and correction methodologies when operational or document errors arise. Lisa holds an LL.M. in taxation from New York University School of Law and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court, giving her a strong foundation in the tax dimensions of benefits work.
Lisa works closely with human resource professionals to address day-to-day plan administration challenges and ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws. She regularly advises on IRS Form W-2 reporting issues, including errors tied to benefit plans, and assists clients in navigating correction programs and implementing informal corrections for retirement and welfare benefit plans. Her practice also encompasses cybersecurity, data protection, and data breach issues as they relate to employee benefit plans and participant information as well as providers and patient information.
Lisa earned her J.D. magna cum laude from Syracuse University College of Law and an M.B.A. magna cum laude from Syracuse University School of Management, complementing her undergraduate degree from Cornell University. She is admitted to practice in New York, Texas, and the District of Columbia.
Concentrations
- Health and Welfare Plan Design, Administration, and Compliance
- ERISA and Employee Benefits Law
- Affordable Care Act (ACA) Employer and Health Plan Reporting and Compliance
- Self-Funded and Fully Insured Group Health Plan Matters
- Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Reimbursement Arrangements, Health Savings Accounts, and Cafeteria Plans
- Qualified Plan Corrections
- Executive Compensation Matters
- Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association (VEBA) Trusts
- HIPAA and State Privacy and Security Law Compliance
- Benefit Plans and Fringe Benefits for Colleges and Universities
- K-12 Education and Municipal Employer Benefits
- Benefit Plan Diligence and Restructuring in M&A Transactions
- Withholding and Payroll Tax Compliance and Corrections
Capacidades
Experiencia
- Restructuring employee benefit plans and overfunded VEBA trusts.°
- Negotiating administrative service agreement and drafting plan document and summary plan description for client implementing self-funded group health plan.°
- Developing turnkey HIPAA policies, procedures, and training materials for group health plan and health care providers.°
- Investigating, documenting, and advising national health care providers and large group health plans in connection with potential breaches of protected information.°
- Negotiating executive compensation arrangements (including severance and change in control) for companies (public and private) and tax-exempt organizations.°
- Successfully defending employers receiving IRS penalty assessments related to Affordable Care Act reporting and employer shared responsibility mandate.°
- Successfully defending employers receiving IRS penalty assessments and levies related to payroll taxes.°
- Providing analysis of controlled group and affiliated service group relationships and associated employee benefits and payroll tax implications.°
- Prepared large employee benefit plans for DOL audit and IRS investigation.°
- Developing and overseeing GDPR compliance project plan for colleges and universities, including turnkey policies, procedures, and training materials.°
°The above representations were handled by Ms. Christensen prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Reconocimientos y Liderazgo
- Listed, D Magazine, “Best Women Lawyers in Dallas,” 2009
- Member, New York State Bar Association
- Member, Texas Bar Association
- Member, District of Columbia Bar Association
Credenciales
- Maestría en Derecho (LL.M.), New York University School of Law
- J.D., magna cum laude, Syracuse University College of Law
- M.B.A., magna cum laude, Syracuse University School of Management
- B.S., Corban University
- Texas
- District of Columbia
- Nueva York