Tiffany Downs advises employers on a wide range of employee benefits and executive compensation matters. She offers guidance on the design, implementation, and administration of health and welfare plans, retirement plans (both qualified and non-qualified), and executive compensation structures. She communicates with clients in a clear and understandable manner and provides sophisticated regulatory guidance.

Her work also includes advising on due diligence for employment matters related to mergers and acquisitions and supporting clients through post-transaction integration and transition processes.

With a strong focus on helping clients meet their goals, Tiffany guides employers through complex requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Affordable Care Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), privacy laws, and the Internal Revenue Code. She assists in ensuring compliance with employee benefit plans and incentive compensation structures, as well as guiding employers through Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor (DOL) audits and correction programs.

Her work also includes defending plan sponsors, administrators, fiduciaries, and third-party administrators in ERISA-related litigation, including claims for benefits, breaches of fiduciary duty, and equitable relief and discrimination.

Tiffany writes on timely legal topics and is a frequent speaker on compliance issues related to ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ERISA. She has given over 100 presentations on the Affordable Care Act, helping employers navigate ACA compliance, particularly regarding the employer shared responsibility provisions and workforce planning.

Tiffany worked for the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration prior to entering private practice

Credentials

Education

  • Loyola Law School, J.D., 1994
  • University of Louisiana at Lafayette, B.S., 1991, cum laude

Bar Admissions

  • Georgia
  • Louisiana
  • New Jersey

Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Georgia
  • Supreme Court of Louisiana
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circui
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
  • U.S. Supreme Court
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