Stephanie A. Smithey

As co-chair of our Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice group, Stephanie devotes her practice to all aspects of employee benefits law. She represents clients with respect to qualified retirement plans and health and welfare plans, assisting them with a variety of plan design, compliance, and administration issues for all types of pension, health and welfare benefit plans.

Stephanie advises her clients as to ERISA, MPPAA, HIPAA, COBRA, PPACA, the Internal Revenue Code, as well as other federal and state laws applicable to employee benefit plans and plan sponsors. She assists clients with IRS and DOL audits, as well as internal compliance audits and plan corrections. She regularly counsels clients as to the scope of their fiduciary duties and how they may seek to limit fiduciary exposure. Stephanie frequently assists health plans in complying with the health care reform laws as well as the HIPAA privacy security rules and provides in-house training for employers and other plan personnel.

In addition to counseling clients as to how to comply with the many laws that apply to their employee benefit plans, Stephanie advises them how to handle benefit plan-related disputes in an effort to avoid litigation. In this context, she has counseled employers, insurers, third party administrators, trustees, and other plan fiduciaries.

Stephanie has served on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Benefits Council, and held positions of Chair, Vice Chair, Past Chair. For 2013- 2021, Stephanie was selected by Best Lawyers for ERISA/Employee Benefits in Indiana.

Stephanie worked with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce to publish the 5th Edition of the Employee Benefits Guide. In addition, she co-authored the Indiana Employer’s Guide to Workplace Wellness for the Wellness Council of Indiana. In 2017, Stephanie was honored with the Indiana Chamber’s Samuel C. Schlosser Indiana Chamber Volunteer of the Year award.

Stephanie is honored to serve as Chair of on the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.

More About Stephanie A. Smithey

Experience

Education & Admission

Professional Activities

Speeches

Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Separation Agreements: Mitigating Risks and Protecting Employer Interests” – Amelia Island – November 14, 2024
Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “The Results Are In! Now What?” – Amelia Island – November 14, 2024
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Beyond Boot Camp: The Essentials of Compensation and Benefits Plans Audits” – Washington, D.C. – May 1, 2024
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “RIFs, Layoffs, and VSPs in an Era of Continued Economic Uncertainty” – Phoenix – November 10, 2023
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – ““Headline News”—Key Developments for Employers in 2023” – San Diego – May 11, 2023
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Trends and Forecasts: What Employers Need to Know Now” – Amelia Island – November 11, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Employee Benefits in the Time of COVID” – Austin – June 25, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Deeper Dive: Immigration, Labor, Benefits, and Safety” – Austin – June 24, 2021
Indiana Chamber 57th Annual HR Conference & Expo – “The Biden Administration at 1000 Days: What Is Next for Employers” – June 9, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Just in the Nick of Time … Additional COBRA Subsidy Guidance” – May 24, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “And They’re Off … COBRA Subsidy Race Is Under Way” – April 13, 2021
National Wellness Institute – “EEOC Wellness Rule Legal Update” – February 26, 2021
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefits Virtual Recorded Seminar – “Recovering from COVID-19: Nursing Your Business Back to Health” – June 24, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Virtual Conference – “Pandemic Workforce Challenges—Plan Don’t Panic” – May 14, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA): What Employers Need to Know” – March 27, 2020
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Healing and Hope: Recognizing and Responding to Emotional Health Issues” – New Orleans – November 14-15, 2019
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefits Seminar – “COBRA and Medicare: Navigating the Murky Waters” – Indianapolis – June 12, 2019
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefits Seminar – “Health and Welfare Hot Topics” – Indianapolis – June 12, 2019
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefits Seminar – “Voluntary Exit Incentive Programs” – Indianapolis – June 12, 2019
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Integration Frustration! Harmonizing Workforces in M&A Transactions” – Las Vegas – May 2, 2019
Ogletree Deakins Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Symposium – “When to Hold ’em, When to Fold ’em: Voluntary Exit Incentive Windows ” – Las Vegas – April 30, 2019
Ogletree Deakins Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “What Diligence Is Due? Considerations and Calamities” – La Quinta – November 8, 2018
Ogletree Deakins Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Symposium – “ACA Update: What’s Next for Employer Health Plans” – Phoenix – November 8, 2018
Ogletree Deakins Seminar – “Don’t Call 911! – Here’s the 411 on Hot Employee Benefit Issues” – Kohler – September 20, 2018
Ogletree Deakins Seminar – “Ouch! The Top Challenges in Handling the Myriad of Issues Resulting From Work-Related Injuries” – Kohler – September 20, 2018
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefits Seminar – “Enforcement and Litigation Wrap-up” – Indianapolis – September 12, 2018
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefits Seminar – “Health and Welfare Plan Update” – Indianapolis – September 12, 2018
Indiana Chamber Wellness Summit – “An Employer’s Guide to Wellness Plan Design from a Legal Perspective” – Indianapolis – September 7, 2018
Managing a Workforce in 2019 – “Health and Welfare Benefit Hot Topics” – Cleveland – August 16, 2018
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Oh Well! An Update on Wellness Plans” – Phoenix – May 10, 2018
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Washington Watch” – Phoenix – May 10, 2018
Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Symposium – “ACA Update: What’s Next for Employer Health Plans?” – Phoenix – May 9, 2018
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefits Seminar – “Health and Welfare Plan Hot Topics” – Indianapolis – September 19, 2017
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefits Seminar – “Trumping the ACA: What’s Next for Employer Health Plans?” – Indianapolis – September 19, 2017
Ogletree Deakins Managing a Workforce in 2018 – “Top 10 Benefits Issues to Watch for in 2018” and “Repeal…Replace…Reform? The Latest Healthcare Developments” – Milwaukee – September 2017
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Repeal…Replace…Reform…? The Latest Healthcare Developments” – San Diego – May 4, 2017
Indiana Chamber of Commerce 53rd Annual Human Resources Conference and Expo – “Top 10 Benefit Issues to Watch in 2017” – Indianapolis – April 2017
Ogletree Deakins 2017 Employment Law Briefing – “Trumping the ACA: What’s Next for Employer Health Plans?” – Indianapolis – April 2017
Ogletree Deakins Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Symposium – “Trumping the ACA: What’s Next for Employer Health Plans?” – Austin – March 23, 2017
Ogletree Deakins Managing a Workforce in 2017 – “The Top 5 Benefits Compliance Issues for 2016-17” – Detroit (Metro) – October 2016
Indiana Chamber Employee Benefits Seminar – “Affordable Care Act Update; The Buck Stops Here: Facing the Fiduciary Challenge” and “Wellness Plan Headaches” – Indianapolis – September 2016
Ogletree Deakins Managing a Workforce in 2017 – “The Top 10 Benefits Compliance Issues” – Indianapolis – September 2016
Ogletree Deakins Managing a Workforce in 2017 – “The Top 10 Benefits Compliance Issues” – Cleveland – August 2016
Indiana Chamber of Commerce – “The Top 10 Benefits Compliance Issues” – French Lick – July 2016
Ogletree Deakins Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Symposium – “ACA Sleeper Issues” – Chicago – May 2016
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Health Care Reform” – Chicago – May 2016
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “New ACA Reporting: Completing Forms 1095-C and 1094-C” – January 2016
Ogletree Deakins Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “ACA Reporting Traps: Understanding the Penalties and Defenses” – Phoenix – November 2015
Ogletree Deakins Employment Law Briefing – “Meeting the Mandate: Affordable Care Act Penalties and Defenses” – Merrillville – October 2015
Ogletree Deakins Managing a Workforce in 2016 – “Meeting the Mandate: Affordable Care Act Penalties and Defenses” – Indianapolis – October 2015
Indiana Chamber Employee Benefits Seminar – “Are You Ready? Meeting the New Reporting Requirements Under the Affordable Care Act” – Indianapolis – September 2015
Indiana Chamber Employee Benefits Seminar – “Will it Ever End? More Affordable Care Act Challenges” – Indianapolis – September 2015
Ogletree Deakins Managing a Workforce in 2016 – “Uh Oh! Avoiding Affordable Care Act Penalties and Taxes” – Cleveland – August 2015
2015 Indianapolis Benefits Summit – “Understanding Affordable Care Act Penalties and Defenses” – Indianapolis – June 2015
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Meeting the Mandate: Understanding Affordable Care Act Penalties and Defenses” – San Antonio – May 14, 2015
Ogletree Deakins Benefits and Executive Compensation Symposium – “ACA Strategies” – San Antonio – May 2015
Indiana Chamber of Commerce 51st Annual HR Conference and Expo – “ACA Reporting Workshop” – Indianapolis – April 2015
Ogletree Deakins Indiana Employees Health and Wellness Summit – “Creating a Healthy Future: Wellness Plans and Clinics” – Indianapolis – October 9, 2014
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employees Health and Wellness Summit – “Legal Issues for Employer Clinics” – Indianapolis – October 8, 2014
Ogletree Deakins Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Calculation Compliance: Practical Math on Affordable Care Act Compliance” – Los Angeles – September 19, 2014
Indiana Chamber of Commerce – “ACA Workshop” – Indianapolis – September 17, 2014
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Take a Painkiller and Call Congress in the Morning: Health Care Reform Update” – Las Vegas – May 8, 2014
Indiana Chamber of Commerce 50th Annual HR Conference and Expo – “New Tracking and Reporting Challenges Under the Affordable Care Act” – Indianapolis – April 29, 2014
Ogletree Deakins Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “The Affordable Care Act’s New Reporting Requirements” – Indianapolis – April 23, 2014
Indiana State Bar Association and the IndyBar Taxation Section – “Impact of U.S. v. Windsor on Employers and Individuals” – Indianapolis – November 12, 2013
Ogletree Deakins Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “The Affordable Care Act – Now What? What’s Next? When?” – Charleston – November 7, 2013
Ogletree Deakins Managing a Workforce 2014 – “The Affordable Care Act and DOMA Updates” – Indianapolis – October 10, 2013
2013 Indiana Employee Health and Wellness Summit – “Federal Tax Implications for Wellness Incentives and Workplace Rewards” – Indianapolis – October 1, 2013
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefits Seminar – “Health Care Reform – Are You Ready?” – Indianapolis – September 12, 2013
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefits Seminar – “How Do Your Plans Define Spouse? Employee Benefits Consequences of the Supreme Court Decision on DOMA” – Indianapolis – September 12, 2013
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefits Seminar – “How Does Health Care Reform Change Wellness Plans? New Rules for Health-Based Incentives” – Indianapolis – September 12, 2013
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefits Seminar – “Preparing for the Unexpected: Managing Plan Beneficiary Designations” – Indianapolis – September 12, 2013
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Health Care Reform: Cost Containment Strategies for Employers” – New Orleans – May 9, 2013
Indiana Chamber of Commerce 49th Annual Human Resources Conference – “Fiduciary Tune Up” – Indianapolis – May 7, 2013
Inaugural Northwest Indiana Workplace Wellness Symposium – “The Legal Side of Wellness” – Merrillville – March 22, 2013
Indiana Contractors Association Membership Meeting – “Taft-Hartley Pension Funds: Understanding Your Roles as Employer and Trustee” – Indianapolis – November 8, 2012
Ogletree Deakins 12th Annual Seminar: Managing A Modern Workforce – “Eye on Employee Benefits: Preparing for the ACA” – Indianapolis – October 3, 2012
Ogletree Deakins and AAIM Employers’ Association: Managing Your Workforce in 2013 – “The Affordable Care Act: Where Do We Go From Here” – St. Louis – September 20, 2012
Ogletree Deakins and AAIM Employers’ Association: Managing Your Workforce in 2013 – “Wellness Programs That Work” – St. Louis – September 20, 2012
Indiana Chamber of Commerce & Ogletree Deakins Annual Employee Benefits Seminar – “Fiduciary Tune Up” – Indianapolis – September 13, 2012
Indiana Chamber of Commerce & Ogletree Deakins Annual Employee Benefits Seminar – “Health Care Reform – Where Do We Go From Here?” – Indianapolis – September 13, 2012
Indiana Chamber of Commerce & Ogletree Deakins Annual Employee Benefits Seminar – “Hot Topics: What to Watch For 2012 and Beyond” – Indianapolis – September 13, 2012
Indiana Chamber of Commerce & Ogletree Deakins Annual Employee Benefits Seminar – “Preparing for Health & Welfare Plan Audits” – Indianapolis – September 13, 2012
Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum Corporate Counsel Webinar – “The Affordable Care Act: Where Do We Go From Here?” – August 29, 2012
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “The Affordable Care Act: Where Do We Go From Here?” – July 26, 2012
Indiana Chamber of Commerce FMLA Conference – “Benefitting from the FMLA: Complying with the FMLA’s Benefits Provisions” – Indianapolis – June 5, 2012
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Health Care Reform – Latest Developments on the Affordable Care Act” – Phoenix – May 10, 2012
Indiana Chamber of Commerce 48th Annual HR Conference and Expo – “Are Your Employees Ready to Retire?” – Indianapolis – May 1, 2012
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “The Affordable Care Act: Important Recent Developments” – October 25, 2011
Ogletree Deakins Seminar – “Eye on Employee Benefits” – Indianapolis – October 5, 2011
Indiana Chamber of Commerce INShape Indiana & Wellness Council of Indiana 2011 Indiana Employee Health & Wellness Summit – “Is Your Wellness Program Obsolete?” – Indianapolis – September 27, 2011
Indiana Chamber of Commerce & Ogletree Deakins Employee Benefits Seminar – “Health Care Reform – What’s on the Horizon?” – Indianapolis – September 13, 2011
Indiana Chamber of Commerce & Ogletree Deakins Employee Benefits Seminar – “Making Sense of the New Retirement Plan Disclosure Rules” – Indianapolis – September 13, 2011
Indiana Chamber of Commerce & Ogletree Deakins Employee Benefits Seminar – “Wellness Programs that Work” – Indianapolis – September 13, 2011
Indiana Chamber of Commerce FMLA Conference – “The ‘Benefits’ of the FMLA” – Indianapolis – June 16, 2011
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Health Care Reform – What Happens Next?” – Chicago – May 12, 2011
Indiana Chamber of Commerce 47th Annual Human Resource Conference & Expo – “Is Your Wellness Program Obsolete?” – Indianapolis – May 4, 2011
Indiana Chamber of Commerce 47th Annual Human Resource Conference & Expo – “Are Your Employees Informed? A Primer on Employee Benefit Notice Requirements” – Indianapolis – May 3, 2011
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “2011 Health Care Reform Regulatory Update” – March 22, 2011
Diversity Roundtable of Central Indiana – “What Will Health Care Reform Mean for Your Business and Employees?” – Indianapolis – February 16, 2011
Ogletree Deakins & Merrill Lynch Online Webinar – “Retirement Plans: Are You Prepared to Respond to Changes in the Investment and Legal Climate that Affect Your Retirement Plans?” – November 17, 2010
Ogletree Deakins Seminar – “Eye on Employment Law – Employee Benefits Update” – Indianapolis – October 5, 2010
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Wellness Summit – “I Dream of GINA – The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act – Its Impact on Employee Wellness Plans and Practices” – Indianapolis – September 1, 2010
Ogletree Deakins webinar – “‘Grandfathered’ Status Under the Affordable Care Act: The Effect of New Agency Guidance on Employer Plans” – July 14, 2010
Indiana Chamber of Commerce FMLA Seminar – “Benefits Issues under the FMLA” – Indianapolis – June 3, 2010
Central Indiana Chapter of Certified Employee Benefit Specialist – “Health & Welfare Plan Update” – Indianapolis – May 11, 2010
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Health and Welfare Plans – What’s On the Horizon?” – Las Vegas – May 7, 2010
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Historic Health Care Overhaul: What It Means to Employers” – Las Vegas – May 7, 2010
Indiana Manufacturers Asociation & Ogletree Deakins Health Care Reform Legislation Webinar – “What Will Health Care Reform Mean for Your Business?” – April 29, 2010
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefit Seminar – “Federal Mandates for Health Plans: What Employers Need to Know Now About Mental Health Parity and Other Health Care Reforms” – Indianapolis – April 22, 2010
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefit Seminar – “Health Care Reform Update” – Indianapolis – April 22, 2010
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefit Seminar – “Medicare Reporting: New Requirements for Employee Benefit Plans and Employment Claim Settlements” – Indianapolis – April 22, 2010
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefit Seminar – “The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act: It’s Impact on Employee Benefit Plans and Employment Practices” – Indianapolis – April 22, 2010
Ogletree Deakins webinar – “Historic Health Care Overhaul: What It Means For Employers” – April 21, 2010
Ogletree Deakins Breakfast Briefing – “Health & Welfare Plans” – Indianapolis – April 13, 2010
Central Indiana Chapter of Certified Employee Benefit Specialist – “Health and Welfare Plan Legal Update” – Indianapolis – November 10, 2009
Indiana Benefits Conference – “Amending Your Qualified Plans for the Pension Protection Act and the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act” – Indianapolis – September 24, 2009
Indiana Chamber of Commerce: The Family and Medical Leave Act Update: An Advanced Program In FMLA Issues – “The ‘Benefits’ of FMLA” – Indianapolis – June 11, 2009
Ogletree Deakins & Merrill Lynch Employers’ Breakfast Briefing – “Plan Fiduciaries: Understanding the Employer’s Role in Plan Investments and How to Meet Your Duties and Manage Exposure” – Indianapolis – May 19, 2009
Indiana Chamber of Commerce 45th Annual Human Resource Conference & Expo – “Benefits Issues at Hiring and Firing” – Indianapolis – May 6, 2009
Indiana Chamber of Commerce 45th Annual Human Resource Conference & Expo – “Preparing for Health Care after Retirement: Are Your Employees Ready for Retirement?” – Indianapolis – May 6, 2009
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefit Seminar – “Employee Benefits Issues in Reduction in Force (RIFs): Severance, WARN, Early Retirement Subsidies, COBRA and Other Issues Arising in RIFs” – Indianapolis – April 16, 2009
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefit Seminar – “Managing Fiduciary Exposure in a Recession” – Indianapolis – April 16, 2009
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Advanced FMLA Seminar – “Health Coverage During and After an FMLA Leave” – Indianapolis – June 12, 2008
Indiana Chamber of Commerce 2nd Annual Indiana Employers’ Summit on Soaring Health Care Costs – “Wellness and Other Containment Strategies for Health Plans” – Indianapolis – June 10, 2008
Ogletree Deakins webinar – “A Primer on Key Benefit Issues – Retirement Plan Issues, Early Retirement Windows, Partial Plan Terminations” – June 3, 2008
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Complying with the New Cafeteria Plan Regulations” – New Orleans – May 9, 2008
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Wellness and Other Cost Containment Strategies for Health Plans” – New Orleans – May 8, 2008
Indiana Chamber of Commerce 44th Annual Human Resources Conference & Expo – “Employee Benefits for the HR Generalist” – Indianapolis – May 6, 2008
Ogletree Deakins Indianapolis Associate Training – “HIPAA for Litigators” – Indianapolis – April 26, 2008
Hendricks County/Avon Chamber of Commerce – “Hot Topics in Employee Benefits” – Avon – March 25, 2008
Ogletree Deakins Indianapolis Associate Training – “Commonly Asked Benefits Questions: A Crash Course for the Employment Generalist” – Indianapolis – March 25, 2008