Murphy Anderson Attorney Shares ERISA Expertise
On September 27, 2013, Joni S. Jacobs presented "Same Sex Benefits and Taft-Hartley Benefit Plans" to the UFCW New York-New Jersey District Council annual convention. Ms. Jacobs explained to the delegates new regulations from the IRS and the DOL, and the responsibilities and obligations of ERISA-governed pension and welfare funds to extend benefits to same-sex spouses as to heterosexual spouses. Ms. Jacobs concluded her presentation by noting that it was "only a matter of time" before New Jersey recognized same sex marriage. That very afternoon—hours after Ms. Jacobs' presentation—in Garden State Equality v. Dow, the New Jersey Superior Court held that New Jersey's constitution requires the state to recognize same-sex marriages.
On September 26, 2013, Joni reprised her presentation of "Collective Bargaining and Employee Benefits" at the AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee's biannual ERISA Basics Seminar. The seminar is offered to union-side attorneys new to ERISA benefits practice. Ms. Jacobs was invited to present at both the 2011 and 2013 seminars.