Alison leads the firm's business section and practices employee benefits law. She focuses on the tax, securities, and ERISA aspects of executive and equity compensation – including nonqualified deferred compensation plans, stock compensation plans, employee stock purchase plans, and change in control plans as well as perquisite programs, executive employment, and severance agreements. For 18 years, she has been advising clients regarding their traditional employee benefit plans – including 401(k) and other retirement plans, health and welfare plans, and cafeteria plans.

In addition, Alison has significant experience in assisting clients with compensation and benefits issues raised in mergers and acquisitions, consisting of golden parachute payments, COBRA responsibilities, and due diligence review. She is a member of the Board of Directors and is chair of the Brown Bag Lunch committee for the San Francisco Chapter’s Western Pension & Benefits Council, and also a member of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Employee Ownership.

Bar Admissions

• California

Education
LL.M., New York University School of Law (1996)
J.D., University of California, Davis (1995)
B.A., Colby College (1989)

Professional Associations

• American Bar Association, Member
• State Bar of California, Member
• National Association of Stock Plan Professionals, Member
• Western Pension and Benefits Council, Board of Directors
• National Center for Employee Ownership, Board of Directors, Executive Committee

Professional Activities and Experience
Accolades

• Top Women Lawyers, Daily Journal (2018)
• Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellow (2017)

"IRS Issues 2022 Limits for Retirement Plans" Employee Benefits Law Alert (November 2021)
"IRS Issues 2021 Limits for Retirement Plans," Employee Benefits Law Alert (November 2020)
"Repricing Underwater Stock Options," Business Disruption Strategies Law Alert (June 2020)
"ISO and ESPP Reporting and Disclosure Requirements for Employers," Employee Benefits Law Alert (January 2020)
"What Employers Should Know About California's Proposed Worker Classification Bill," BenefitsPRO (August 2019)
"IRS Extends Deadline for Providing Health Coverage Forms to Employees under the ACA, But Not the IRS Filing Deadline," Employee Benefits Law Alert (December 2018)
"The SEC Increases Enhanced Disclosure Threshold Under Rule 701 and Considers Broader Changes," Employee Benefits Law Alert (September 2018)
"Student Loan Payments and 401(k) Benefits," Employee Benefits Law Alert (August 2018)
"ISO and ESPP Reporting and Disclosure Requirements for Employers," HB Tech on the 20s (January 2018)
"Funds Available from Retirement Plans for Those Affected by the Wildfires," Employee Benefits Law Alert (November 2017)
"Hanson Bridgett Announces IRS Determination Letter Replacement Program," Employee Benefits Law Alert (March 2017)
"DOL Fiduciary Rule Faces Further Delay," Employee Benefits Law Alert (March 2017)
"ISO and ESPP Reporting and Disclosure Requirements For Employers," HB Tech on the 20s (January 2017)
"The New SB 1234 – A State-Run Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees: The California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program," CALA Update (December 2016)
"Granting Stock Options At Fair Market Value," HB Tech on the 20s (July 2016)
"2016 IRS Limits for Retirement Plans Generally Remain Unchanged," Employee Benefits Law Alert (October 2015)
"Back on Track! Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act Tax Credits," Employee Benefits Law Alert (June 2015)
"New 2015 IRS Limits for Retirement Plans," Employee Benefits Law Alert (October 2014)

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