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Areas of Practice
ERISA, Tax Code, ACA, MHPAEA, and Title VII compliance
Section 401(k), 457(b) and multiemployer retirement plans
Health plans and excepted benefits
Withdrawal liability for multiemployer pension plan
Bar Admissions
Washington, 2015
Nebraska, 2013
Education
University of Nebraska College of Law, 2013
Lincoln, Nebraska
J.D. (Highest Distinction)
University of Nebraska—Lincoln, 2010
Lincoln, Nebraska
B.A. (High Distinction)
Overview
Erick advises corporate, governmental, and multiemployer health and retirement plans on all manner of employee benefits issues. He has advised as to the design and administration of benefits plans, drafted plan documents and plan policies, negotiated plan vendor contracts and investment agreements, represented health plans in litigation for claim denials, and represented retirement plans seeking IRS approval to correct errors in plan administration.
Erick’s work has also focused on:
- IRS corrections under EPCRS
- Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act compliance
- Compliance with sex discrimination laws, including Title VII and ACA § 1557
- Assessing and resolving disputes over withdrawal liability against employers withdrawing from pension plans
- Determining beneficiary status in contested claims to deceased participants’ retirement accounts
Hailing from Eagle River, Alaska, Erick spends much of his time outdoors—rowing crew, climbing, skiing, or wandering Washington with his dog, Cooper. Otherwise, he can usually be found tending to his houseplants or homebrewing.
- Named a “Rising Star” by Washington Super Lawyers magazine, Employee Benefits, 2019-2023
- Executive Editor, Nebraska Law Review
- Guy Cleveland Chambers Gold Medallion for Highest Graduating GPA
- Judicial Clerk to Chief Judge William Jay Riley of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- A Clerk’s Lineup: Ten Underemphasized Aspects of Appellate Practice, KCBA Bar Bulletin (2015)
- Children and Categorization: Keeping Free Speech on Track in Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Ass’n, 91 Neb. L. Rev. 4 (2013)
- King County Bar Association, New Lawyers Division (Board of Trustees 2016-2019; Chair of the Board 2018-2019)
- Washington State Bar Association
- Nebraska State Bar Association
- Member of International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
- Pro bono attorney representing non-profits through Communities Rise’s (fka. Wayfind) Non-Profit Startup Advocacy Program
- Volunteer Legal Observer for National Lawyers Guild
- Pro bono attorney for KCBA Neighborhood Legal Clinics
- Pro bono attorney for KCBA Housing Justice Project