ERISA Attorney Nicole Bogard Joins Barnes & Thornburg in Atlanta

ATLANTA – Barnes & Thornburg has added Nicole Bogard as a partner in the firm’s Corporate Department in the Atlanta office.

Bogard focuses on benefits, executive compensation and matters related to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). She also handles tax and benefits issues resulting from M&A transactions and has deep experience related to health benefits, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), wellness programs and self-funded healthcare plans.

“Nicole is a proven commodity when it comes to complex tax and benefits-related laws and helping employers maintain effective programs,” said David Gotlieb, chair of Barnes & Thornburg’s Corporate Department. “In addition, her deep knowledge of healthcare regulations is a huge plus as the relationship between payers and providers continues to evolve.”

Bogard’s benefits practice encompasses flexible benefits plans, severance plans, 401(k) plans and Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Associations (VEBAs). Additionally, she frequently advises clients on matters originating from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Labor (DOL). Her clients span a variety of industries, including the entertainment, hospitality, retail and healthcare, among others.

Bogard is the third partner to join Barnes & Thornburg’s growing Atlanta office this year, following the additions of Mark Keenan and Christina Baugh in March. Previously, Bogard was a partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, where she led its Atlanta office’s ERISA, employee benefits, and executive compensation practice.

“Nicole’s arrival, paired with our existing corporate, tax, labor and employment and other practitioners in this office, gives us an extremely talented and well-rounded team to serve corporate clients in Atlanta and throughout the Southeast.” said John T.L. Koenig, Atlanta managing partner. “We are very excited to have her on board.”

Bogard earned her J.D. from Marquette University Law School, cum laude, and her B.A. from the University of Michigan.

About Barnes & Thornburg

With more than 600 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from 14 offices in Atlanta, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, Ohio, Texas and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com or on Twitter @BTLawNews.