Global 50 law firm Goodwin announced today that Rachel Faye Smith has joined the firm’s Boston office as partner in the ERISA and Executive Compensation practice.
“The demand for Goodwin’s employee benefits services remains strong across our key industries, including technology, life sciences and private equity,” said Scott Webster, Chair of Goodwin’s ERISA and Executive Compensation practice. “This demand is driven in large part by the success of our portfolio company practice and the increasing complexity of retirement and health plans. Rachel‘s range and depth of experience as a benefits lawyer enhances, complements, and ensures continued strength of our benefits offering. We are delighted that Rachel has chosen to join Goodwin.”
Smith represents a wide range of clients and business sectors, including both public and private companies, venture capital and private equity backed companies, and nonprofit, government, and religious organizations in the areas of employee benefits and executive compensation. She counsels on the establishment and operation of qualified plans, such as profit-sharing and 401(k) plans, 403(b) and 457(b) plans, as well as defined benefit pension plans and cash balance plans, and on the correction of compliance issues under the IRS Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System. Ms. Smith regularly represents clients before the Department of Labor, IRS, and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in the context of plan audits, compliance, and terminations. She also advises clients on employee health and welfare benefit plans, including issues relating to the Affordable Care Act, as well as on nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements.
Smith received her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Civil Law from McGill University, her M.A. from the International University of Japan and her B.A. from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts.
Smith can be reached at RachelSmith@goodwinlaw.com and 617.570.1809.
Goodwin’s ERISA & Executive Compensation Practice is among the most well-known in the United States. The group provides comprehensive, practical advice to clients in a range of industries and works closely with the firm’s ERISA Litigation group. The team has extensive experience representing employers with respect to their compensation and benefit plans. The lawyers frequently counsel on the compensation and benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions, financings and IPOs and have expertise in all aspects of executive compensation, including tax, accounting and securities law issues. In 2017, the group was recognized by both Chambers USA and The Legal 500 for excellence in Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation.