WASHINGTON, DC (August 17, 2004) – Venable LLP partner Martha Jo Wagner has been named a Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel. Ms. Wagner was honored by the College at a special induction ceremony held in the High Museum of Art in Atlanta on Saturday, August 7.
The American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, Inc. (ACEBC) was organized in 2000 as a not-for-profit organization with the mission of recognizing the significant legal and social policy issues which impact the regulation and management of pension, retirement, group health, welfare and disability plans. The College seeks to maintain high standards in the practice of employee benefits law while advancing greater public awareness of employee benefits.
Attorneys who are inducted as Fellows must be involved in the practice of employee benefits law for at least 20 years. Furthermore, they are required to demonstrate a sustained commitment to raising public awareness and understanding of benefits laws through writing, speaking, public policy analysis, public education and/or public service. Nominees are also required to maintain top quality professional services to clients, the bar and the public.
Ms. Wagner joins Venable colleague Daniel L. Morgan in the College. Mr. Morgan, whose practice encompasses employee benefits as well as employment law and business planning, was among the Charter Fellows who founded the College four years ago. Ms. Wagner was among 21 inductees who joined the 249 current Fellows in the organization.
Ms. Wagner is a member of Venable’s Employee Benefits Group and focuses her practice on benefits litigation, plan administration, process review and improvement, welfare plan design, and drafting and compliance.She offers practical business solutions to benefits problems, and her extensive litigation experience helps clients control costs in litigation, as well as in the administrative process that often precedes litigation.
Ms. Wagner currently serves as Management Co-Chair of the Fiduciary Responsibility Subcommittee of the American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law Employee Benefits Committee, and was the past Management Co-Chair of the Benefit Claims and Individual Rights and Liability Issues Unique to Welfare Plans Subcommittees.Ms. Wagner also currently serves as the Management Co-Chair of the Pro Bono Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law. She has written and been a frequent speaker on diverse benefit topics, including benefit claims litigation, COBRA, HIPAA, reductions in force, and fiduciary duties.
One of the American Lawyer’s top 100 law firms, Venable LLP has attorneys practicing in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property and government affairs. Venable serves corporate, institutional, governmental, nonprofit and individual clients throughout the U.S. and around the world from its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and offices in California, Maryland, New York and Virginia. For more, visit www.Venable.com.