Introduction
Lena focuses her practice on creating, reviewing, and implementing benefit programs designed to meet the needs of for-profit and nonprofit entities of all sizes.
My focus
In today’s competitive workforce, employee benefit plans are an efficient tool for attracting and retaining talent. I help employers navigate the complex and evolving legal landscape surrounding benefit plans to ensure that their offerings are well designed and properly maintained.
I regularly advise employers, executives, and third-party administrators on a wide range of issues relating to defined contribution and defined benefit plans, church plans, non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements, health and welfare plans, and fringe benefits.
I assist with day-to-day plan administration issues, and I’m heavily involved in drafting plan documents, amendments, required notices, and participant communications. I also help resolve plan errors under the IRS and DOL correction programs, and guide clients through governmental audits. In addition, I counsel clients on benefits issues in connection with their corporate transactions.
Looking ahead
SECURE 2.0’s slate of plan enhancements gives employers meaningful tools to engage their employees in saving for retirement. Employers should consult with their plan advisors and service providers to decide how best to implement these offerings.
/Insights
- “Benefits & Compliance: Your Roadmap to Success,” Triton Benefits & HR Solutions virtual CLE program, November 29, 2023
- “Proposed HIPAA Privacy Rules,” American Bar Association virtual 2023 Fall Tax Meeting, October 18, 2023
- “New Compliance Challenges for Employer Health Plans,” Nixon Peabody CLE program, April 2022
- “Troubleshooting COVID-19 Issues,” Plan Consultant, American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries, October 15, 2021
In the news
- Employee Benefit Plan Review
Managing increasing health and welfare fiduciary risks
Corporate partners Damian Myers of Washington, DC and Yelena Gray of Chicago, counsel Lena Gionnette of Rochester, and associate Annie Zhang of Washington, DC, all members of NP’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, contributed this column, discussing how to manage increasing health and welfare fiduciary risks.May 1, 2024 - Crain’s Chicago Business
People on the move
March 6, 2023The following article highlights notable legal industry moves across Chicago and New York include the recent promotions of Chicago Intellectual Property counsel George Dandalides, Complex Disputes counsels Christie Kurow of Chicago and Eric Ferrante of Rochester; Project Finance & Public Finance counsels Gretchen Sherwood of Chicago and Terance Walsh of Rochester; Healthcare counsels Michal Cantor of Long Island and Jéna Grady of New York City; and Rochester Corporate counsel Lena Gionnette. The Crain’s Chicago Business article also includes the arrival of Chicago Corporate associate Kelly Glynn to the firm.
- Crain’s New York Business
People on the move
March 6, 2023The following article highlights notable legal industry moves across Chicago and New York include the recent promotions of Chicago Intellectual Property counsel George Dandalides, Complex Disputes counsels Christie Kurow of Chicago and Eric Ferrante of Rochester; Project Finance & Public Finance counsels Gretchen Sherwood of Chicago and Terance Walsh of Rochester; Healthcare counsels Michal Cantor of Long Island and Jéna Grady of New York City; and Rochester Corporate counsel Lena Gionnette. The Crain’s Chicago Business article also includes the arrival of Chicago Corporate associate Kelly Glynn to the firm.
- New York Law Journal
Attorneys on the move
March 3, 2023The following article highlights notable legal industry moves across Chicago and New York include the recent promotions of Chicago Intellectual Property counsel George Dandalides, Complex Disputes counsels Christie Kurow of Chicago and Eric Ferrante of Rochester; Project Finance & Public Finance counsels Gretchen Sherwood of Chicago and Terance Walsh of Rochester; Healthcare counsels Michal Cantor of Long Island and Jéna Grady of New York City; and Rochester Corporate counsel Lena Gionnette. The Crain’s Chicago Business article also includes the arrival of Chicago Corporate associate Kelly Glynn to the firm.
- Employee Benefit Plan Review
Ask the Experts: Defined contribution plan amendments and telemedicine coverage
In the latest installment of their “Ask the Experts” column, Corporate partners Damian Myers in Washington, DC and Yelena Gray in Chicago, and associate Lena Gionnette in Rochester—all of the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team—discuss the legal changes that necessitate amendments to defined contribution plans, along with the extension of telemedicine coverage in 2022.April 26, 2022 - Employee Benefit Plan Review
Ask the Experts
In the newest installment of their monthly “Ask the Experts” column, Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington, DC partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnette, all from the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, expand on the new requirements for group health plans regarding direct and indirect compensation disclosure, as well as the importance of plan committees engaging an investment advisor for retirement plans.March 1, 2022 - Employee Benefits Plan Review
Ask the experts
In the newest installment of their Ask the Experts” column, Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington, DC partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnette, all from the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, discuss the competitive bid process that benefit plan administrators should routinely conduct to evaluate service providers, along with the deficient COBRA election notices that are fueling an uptick in litigation.Feb 8, 2022 - Employee Benefit Plan Review
Ask the experts: COVID-19 coverage requirements; changes to the EPCRS program
In the newest installment of their monthly “Ask the experts” column, Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington, DC partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnette, all of the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, describe several requirements related to COVID-19 that still apply to group health plans, along with recent changes to the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System for correcting retirement plan administrative errors.Jan 1, 2022 - Employee Benefit Plan Review
Ask the experts
In the newest installment of their monthly “Ask the Experts” column, Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington, DC partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnette, all from the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, outline the legal considerations for employers implementing COVID-19 vaccine incentives or surcharges; new fee disclosure requirements for health and welfare plan brokers; and best practices for plan sponsors when restating their pre-approved documents to the IRS.Nov 1, 2021 - Employee Benefit Plan Review
Ask the Experts - Price transparency rules
In the newest installment of their monthly “Ask the Experts” column, Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington, DC partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnette, all from the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, outline the patchwork of new requirements aimed at increasing health care cost transparency and providing best practices for group health plan sponsors to ensure compliance with the rules.Oct 8, 2021 - Employee Benefit Plan Review
Ask the experts
In the newest installment of their monthly “Ask the experts” column, Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington, DC partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnnette, all in the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, analyze the Department of Labor’s recent cybersecurity guidance and provide best practices for retirement plans.Aug 20, 2021 - Employee Benefits Plan Review
Ask the experts
Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington, D.C. partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnnette, all with the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, contributed this column addressing various questions about health benefit coverage, including parity requirements for mental health and medical benefits, in addition to the application of continuing “COBRA” benefits for former employees.July 27, 2021 - Employee Benefit Plan Review
New law requires health plans to demonstrate compliance with parity requirements between mental health and medical benefits
Chicago partner Yelena Gray, Washington DC partner Damian Myers, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnette, all of the Corporate group, contributed this article analyzing the new federal laws requiring employer-sponsored group health plans to prove that their plans satisfy all aspects of the parity regulations between mental health and medical benefits.June 10, 2021 - Rochester Business Journal
What employers need to know about the new COBRA subsidy
Rochester Corporate partner Brian Kopp and associate Lena Gionnette contributed this article analyzing the new COBRA subsidy, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and the challenges it will pose to employers.May 7, 2021 - Journal of Compensation and Benefits
Stimulus legislation gives temporary relief under flexible spending arrangements
Washington, DC partner Damian Myers, Chicago partner Yelena Gray, and Rochester associate Lena Gionnette, all of the Corporate group and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team, contributed this article summarizing the temporary relief for flexible spending accounts in the December 2020 stimulus law, highlighting important takeaways for plan sponsors.March 12, 2021 - HR News
Number of 401(k) Funds Offered to Plan Participants Shrinks
This article on the shrinking number of funds offered to 401(k) plan participants quotes a recent Fall Employee Benefits Briefing blog post written by Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation leader and Corporate partner Eric Paley, Corporate partners Christian Hancey and Brian Kopp, and Corporate associates Lena Gionnette and Jenny Holmes, all in Rochester; and Washington, D.C. Corporate counsel Damian Myers.Dec 1, 2020
Admitted to practice
Michigan
Ohio
Education
University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude; Articles editor, University of Cincinnati Law Review
University of Michigan, B.A., English, History, and Modern Greek
Professional activities
- Co-Chair, Subcommittee on Welfare Plans, American Bar Association Section of Taxation
- Past Chair, Employee Benefits Committee, State Bar of Michigan Taxation Section
Recognition
Languages
Greek
Insights And Happenings
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Employee Benefits Briefing
Professionals in the Practice Area
View AllEric Paley
Partner / Team Leader, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation- Rochester
- Office:+1 585.263.1012
- epaley@nixonpeabody.com
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