Christine S.Hwang (Chris)

Chris Hwang is a seasoned partner that focuses on employee benefits and executive compensation. With a robust background and nearly 20 years litigating on behalf of plan sponsors, Chris has successfully defended against claims alleging fiduciary breaches and denial of benefits. Her experience extends to guiding employers through benefits-related complexities in corporate transactions, particularly in managing withdrawal liability risks and benefit plan integrations.

In addition to litigation and transactional work, Chris provides strategic counsel to employers on the design and implementation of traditional qualified health, pension, and 401(k) plans as well as equity incentive plans and separation agreements. Her comprehensive knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements encompasses the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Internal Revenue Code, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), ensuring clients' compliance and optimal plan performance.

Other areas of Chris's practice include litigation strategy and risk management advice to employer sponsors of single-employer and multiemployer health and welfare plans and retirement plans on a broad range of issues: fraud waste and abuse, adverse benefit claim determinations, delinquent contributions, subrogation and reimbursement, third-party administration and pharmacy benefit manager contracts, and withdrawal liability.

Chris is a member of the California State Bar and the Firm's Asian Lawyers and the LGBTQ+ Affinity Groups. From 2014 to 2016, she served on the U.S. Department of Labor's Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans. She also served a four-year term on the City and County of San Francisco Board of Appeals, from 2011 to 2014.