Joanna C. Kerpen is a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and is based in the Firm's Washington, D.C. office. She focuses her practice on a variety of employee benefits tax and ERISA matters related to 401(k) plans, pension plans, health and welfare plans, and executive compensation plans, including designing, amending and administering such plans. She has extensive experience with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and has advised clients on compliance with that Act as well as with HIPAA and various other federal and state laws relevant to health and welfare plans. She also has expertise in bringing executive compensation plans into compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, she monitors 401(k) plans and pension plans on a day-to-day basis for compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other relevant laws and regulations.
Joanna has represented clients before the Department of Labor and Internal Revenue Service. She has assisted clients with voluntary correction filings under the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) and applications for determination letters on plan termination and tax-qualification.
Joanna has published articles in various employee benefits publications, including the Benefits Law Journal, and is a frequent speaker on the topic of health care reform. She actively participates in the Firm’s Health and Welfare Plans and Qualified Plans affinity groups.
While in law school, Joanna was the Executive Editor, Student Articles, and a published author in the Loyola Law Journal.
Joanna is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Illinois.
Education
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 2005
- Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M. (with distinction), 2006
- Boston College, B.S., 2000
