Liz J.Deckman
Partner
Employee Benefits
ldeckman@seyfarth.com
Liz has extensive experience advising companies regarding employee benefits and ERISA.
More About Liz
Liz has designed and implemented all types of tax-qualified retirement plans and trusts, including Section 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase, cash balance, and defined benefit plans. Liz also drafts and implements health and welfare plans and advises employers on related issues, such as COBRA, health care reform, and fiduciary issues. She also works with deferred compensation and IRC Section 409A.
Liz's work covers issues such as: the effect of new laws on plans, nondiscriminatory coverage and contribution requirements, limitations on benefits, plan defect-correction programs, plan terminations, and early-retirement window benefits. She also assists clients in the employee benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions.
Liz's work covers issues such as: the effect of new laws on plans, nondiscriminatory coverage and contribution requirements, limitations on benefits, plan defect-correction programs, plan terminations, and early-retirement window benefits. She also assists clients in the employee benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions.
- JD, University of Wisconsin Law School
Fulbright Scholar - BA, Lawrence University
Magna cum laude
Phi Beta Kappa
- Washington
Related Services
Blogs
Related News & Insights
-
Blog Post
Jan 18, 2024
SECURE 2.0: Guidance on Exception to Early Distribution Penalty for Terminally Ill Individuals
-
Blog Post
Dec 22, 2023
The IRS’s Grab Bag of SECURE 2.0 Guidance is Here!
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
-
Recognition
06/01/2023
2023 Chambers USA Names 81 Seyfarth Lawyers as Leaders in Business Law; 36 Seyfarth Practices Also Recognized as Leaders in Their Fields
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans design by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2021-2023)
- Recognized for Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation (Washington) by Chambers USA (2020-2023)
- Selected to Best Lawyers in America for Employee Benefits Law (Woodward/White Inc.) (2013-2024)
- Women in Pension Network (WIPN) Seattle, president (2024), president elect (2023)
- Seattle SHRM, member (2021-present)
- Western Pension & Benefits Council (chair of Spring Seminar, 2013; secretary, 2013-2014; president-elect, 2014-2015; president, Seattle Chapter, 2015-2017; past president, Seattle Chapter, 2017-2018; Governing Board, president-elect, 2018-2019; president, 2019-2020; immediate past president, 2020-2021; board of directors, 2011-2021)
- Co-Author, “SECURE 2.0: Guidance on Exception to Early Distribution Penalty for Terminally Ill Individuals,” Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 18, 2024)
- Author, “The IRS’s Grab Bag of SECURE 2.0 Guidance is Here!” Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 21, 2023)
- Co-Author, “The Benefits of Flying into SFO: Employees Have Free Family Health Insurance – For Now,” Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 16, 2023)
- Author, “A Reminder – Washington Cares Fund Premium Payments to Begin July 2023,” Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 11, 2023)
- Author, “Time is On Our Side 2.0; More Time to Amend for CARES Act Optional Amendments,” Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 11, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Washington State’s Long Term Cares Act - Dismissed!" Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 28, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Supreme Court Asked to Assess Whether City of Seattle’s Hotel Workers Insurance Ordinance Is Preempted," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 1, 2022)
- Co-Author, "It’s Official: Governor Inslee Signs Bills to Delay and Modify Washington’s Long Term Care Act," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 28, 2022)
- Author, "Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Washington State’s Long Term Care Act," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 22, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Upcoming Webinar! 'Navigating a New Landscape: Post-COVID Retirement Plan Design and Administrative Issues'," Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 29, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Webinar: Seyfarth, Moss Adams, and Northwest Plan Services Present 'A Guide to Implementing the CARES Act and More: Relief for Employers and Retirement Plans Explained'," Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 15, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Part II: Emergency Childcare: State-Specific Measures," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 24, 2020)
- Speaker, Coffee Talk With Benefits Episode 4: Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs): Do’s and Don’ts (June 6, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "The Beat Goes On - Legal Update," Spring Seminar, Western Pension Benefits Council (April 28, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Washington State Long-Term Care Act: What Employers Need to Know," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 7, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Navigating a New Landscape: Post-COVID Retirement Plan Design and Administrative Issues," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 8, 2020)
- Co-Presenter, "A Guide to Implementing the CARES Act and More: Relief for Employers and Retirement Plans Explained," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 28, 2020)
- "Association Health Plans and H/W Ask the Experts," NAFE Conference Sessions, San Diego, CA (May 2019)
- "Retirement Committee Best Practices," Western Pension Benefits Council Seattle Spring Seminar (April 4, 2019)
- "Association Health Plans – The Good (New Guidance), the Complicated (State Regulation), and the Unchanged (MEWAs)," Minnesota State Board of CLEs (September 12, 2018)
- "Disability Claims Procedures," Western Pension Benefits Council Seattle Chapter Meeting (May 30, 2018)
- "Health Care Reform Part II," 28th Annual Employee Benefits Seminar, Seattle, WA (September 13, 2011)
- "Overview of Health Care Reform," 27th Annual Employee Benefits Seminar: Health Care Reform and You, Seattle, WA (September 28, 2010)
- "Health Care Reform: What Hospitality and Lodging Businesses Need to Know," Spokane Hotel/Motel Association and the Washington Lodging Association, Spokane, WA (June 22, 2010)
- "Health Care Reform: What Small Businesses Need to Know Now," Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, Bellevue, WA (May 27, 2010)
- Pike Market Child Care & Preschool, board of directors (2021-present)
- Macalester College Parent Council, member (2016-2019)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound, board of directors (2014-2018)
- Fluent in German
Liz has extensive experience advising companies regarding employee benefits and ERISA.
More About Liz
Liz has designed and implemented all types of tax-qualified retirement plans and trusts, including Section 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase, cash balance, and defined benefit plans. Liz also drafts and implements health and welfare plans and advises employers on related issues, such as COBRA, health care reform, and fiduciary issues. She also works with deferred compensation and IRC Section 409A.
Liz's work covers issues such as: the effect of new laws on plans, nondiscriminatory coverage and contribution requirements, limitations on benefits, plan defect-correction programs, plan terminations, and early-retirement window benefits. She also assists clients in the employee benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions.
Liz's work covers issues such as: the effect of new laws on plans, nondiscriminatory coverage and contribution requirements, limitations on benefits, plan defect-correction programs, plan terminations, and early-retirement window benefits. She also assists clients in the employee benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions.
- JD, University of Wisconsin Law School
Fulbright Scholar - BA, Lawrence University
Magna cum laude
Phi Beta Kappa
- Washington
Related Services
Blogs
Related News & Insights
-
Blog Post
Jan 18, 2024
SECURE 2.0: Guidance on Exception to Early Distribution Penalty for Terminally Ill Individuals
-
Blog Post
Dec 22, 2023
The IRS’s Grab Bag of SECURE 2.0 Guidance is Here!
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
-
Recognition
06/01/2023
2023 Chambers USA Names 81 Seyfarth Lawyers as Leaders in Business Law; 36 Seyfarth Practices Also Recognized as Leaders in Their Fields
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans design by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2021-2023)
- Recognized for Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation (Washington) by Chambers USA (2020-2023)
- Selected to Best Lawyers in America for Employee Benefits Law (Woodward/White Inc.) (2013-2024)
- Women in Pension Network (WIPN) Seattle, president (2024), president elect (2023)
- Seattle SHRM, member (2021-present)
- Western Pension & Benefits Council (chair of Spring Seminar, 2013; secretary, 2013-2014; president-elect, 2014-2015; president, Seattle Chapter, 2015-2017; past president, Seattle Chapter, 2017-2018; Governing Board, president-elect, 2018-2019; president, 2019-2020; immediate past president, 2020-2021; board of directors, 2011-2021)
- Co-Author, “SECURE 2.0: Guidance on Exception to Early Distribution Penalty for Terminally Ill Individuals,” Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 18, 2024)
- Author, “The IRS’s Grab Bag of SECURE 2.0 Guidance is Here!” Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 21, 2023)
- Co-Author, “The Benefits of Flying into SFO: Employees Have Free Family Health Insurance – For Now,” Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 16, 2023)
- Author, “A Reminder – Washington Cares Fund Premium Payments to Begin July 2023,” Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 11, 2023)
- Author, “Time is On Our Side 2.0; More Time to Amend for CARES Act Optional Amendments,” Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 11, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Washington State’s Long Term Cares Act - Dismissed!" Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 28, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Supreme Court Asked to Assess Whether City of Seattle’s Hotel Workers Insurance Ordinance Is Preempted," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 1, 2022)
- Co-Author, "It’s Official: Governor Inslee Signs Bills to Delay and Modify Washington’s Long Term Care Act," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 28, 2022)
- Author, "Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Washington State’s Long Term Care Act," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 22, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Upcoming Webinar! 'Navigating a New Landscape: Post-COVID Retirement Plan Design and Administrative Issues'," Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 29, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Webinar: Seyfarth, Moss Adams, and Northwest Plan Services Present 'A Guide to Implementing the CARES Act and More: Relief for Employers and Retirement Plans Explained'," Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 15, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Part II: Emergency Childcare: State-Specific Measures," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 24, 2020)
- Speaker, Coffee Talk With Benefits Episode 4: Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs): Do’s and Don’ts (June 6, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "The Beat Goes On - Legal Update," Spring Seminar, Western Pension Benefits Council (April 28, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Washington State Long-Term Care Act: What Employers Need to Know," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 7, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Navigating a New Landscape: Post-COVID Retirement Plan Design and Administrative Issues," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 8, 2020)
- Co-Presenter, "A Guide to Implementing the CARES Act and More: Relief for Employers and Retirement Plans Explained," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 28, 2020)
- "Association Health Plans and H/W Ask the Experts," NAFE Conference Sessions, San Diego, CA (May 2019)
- "Retirement Committee Best Practices," Western Pension Benefits Council Seattle Spring Seminar (April 4, 2019)
- "Association Health Plans – The Good (New Guidance), the Complicated (State Regulation), and the Unchanged (MEWAs)," Minnesota State Board of CLEs (September 12, 2018)
- "Disability Claims Procedures," Western Pension Benefits Council Seattle Chapter Meeting (May 30, 2018)
- "Health Care Reform Part II," 28th Annual Employee Benefits Seminar, Seattle, WA (September 13, 2011)
- "Overview of Health Care Reform," 27th Annual Employee Benefits Seminar: Health Care Reform and You, Seattle, WA (September 28, 2010)
- "Health Care Reform: What Hospitality and Lodging Businesses Need to Know," Spokane Hotel/Motel Association and the Washington Lodging Association, Spokane, WA (June 22, 2010)
- "Health Care Reform: What Small Businesses Need to Know Now," Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, Bellevue, WA (May 27, 2010)
- Pike Market Child Care & Preschool, board of directors (2021-present)
- Macalester College Parent Council, member (2016-2019)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound, board of directors (2014-2018)
- Fluent in German