Wellington is highly regarded nationally and has represented many of the largest public pension plans in the country which together have more than 3.5 million participants and more than $700 billion in assets. A fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, his practice also includes designing and implementing employee benefit and health care plans and advising plan sponsors on compliance issues related to retirement plans, executive compensation, health plans and fringe benefits.  He was previously the Associate Benefits Tax Counsel for the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Tax Policy.

“Don is nationally recognized for his work with public pension plans and is a trusted advisor on tax-related issues and in dealings with the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service,” said Matthew Petersen, co-chair of Reed Smith’s Global Corporate Group. “Jenni’s background in private practice and her prior experience as in-house counsel for the largest pension plan in the United States puts her at the intersection of fiduciary and tax issues, which are especially important in the context of global investing. We are thrilled to have them join the firm.”

“Clients are investing globally and Reed Smith’s international reputation and platform will add significant value to their investments,” said Wellington. “Reed Smith’s private equity and real estate practices will facilitate our ability to provide investment structuring and documentation services to clients with a global footprint, an essential part of their investment strategies. I see significant opportunity for the firm and a greater breadth of services that we can offer our clients.”

Krengel also represents public pension funds, tax-exempt employers, and private-sector employers on all aspects of employee benefits law. She has particular experience in matters related to the tax and fiduciary issues impacting public pension funds, including governmental plan status and vested rights.  She also has substantial experience advising clients on Code Section 409A compliance and equity-based compensation.  She previously served as assistant chief counsel and acting deputy general counsel for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the largest public pension system in the U.S. Her responsibilities at CalPERS included advising on tax and fiduciary issues, pension and health benefits administration, and policy development. 

Ed Gregory represents public pension boards and ERISA plan administrators in class actions, benefits litigation, and administrative matters, and handles Public Records Act cases. His experience also extends to defending employers against  employment-related claims.

Wellington’s three-member team will work closely with Reed Smith’s existing San Francisco based pension practice, led by partner Harvey Leiderman. Leiderman’s practice group currently serves as fiduciary, investment and litigation counsel to some of the largest public pension funds in California and other states. 

“When clients have sensitive matters at Treasury and IRS, they want Don Wellington stewarding them through the process,” according to Leiderman.  “When public funds invest overseas, they want to be steered capably through the foreign tax thicket.  This experienced team rounds out our integrated offering of pension services which now includes fiduciary, litigation, tax, investments, healthcare funding, labor and employment, and cybersecurity.”

About Reed Smith

Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm, dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward.  Its long-standing relationships, international outlook and collaborative structure make it a go-to partner for speedy resolution of complex disputes, transactions, and regulatory matters.

For further information, please visit reedsmith.com.