DLA Piper announced today that Erin Sweeney has joined the firm's Employment practice as of counsel in the Washington, DC office.

Sweeney advises on all facets of employee benefits related to healthcare, including Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance, health privacy and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) matters generally and more specifically in the context of COVID-19 considerations, welfare benefit claims, health insurance continuation (COBRA), US Department of Labor (DOL) audits and investigations, and employee benefit plan administration, including the application of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to benefit plans. She counsels and represents parties in litigation regarding fiduciary obligations, including plan investments, fee disclosure and prohibited transactions and exemptions. She also provides advice on post-retirement medical benefits and the employee benefits provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).

Sweeney previously served as a senior benefit law specialist for the DOL’s Division of Fiduciary Interpretations. Among other things, she testified in multiple ERISA criminal matters on behalf of the United States, was appointed as the designated representative to quarterly DOL Office of Enforcement meetings, developed and conducted DOL auditor training, was a primary architect of the DOL’s qualified default investment regulation proposal, and received an Exceptional Achievement award for her participation in drafting the Pension Protection Act, the most significant pension legislation since the enactment of ERISA.

“Erin is an accomplished and well-respected employee benefits attorney with a deep knowledge and familiarity with qualified plan, health and welfare and Title I ERISA matters. She also brings valuable experience from her time working at the Department of Labor that will enhance our already stellar Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation team," said Brian Kaplan, US chair and global co-chair of DLA Piper’s Employment practice.

Sweeney, who joins from Miller & Chevalier, received her J.D. from American University’s Washington College of Law and her B.A. and B.S. from Ohio University. She has been recognized by organizations such as Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, and the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel.