Tonie Bitseff is a member of the Corporate Law and Labor & Employment Practice Groups in the Buchalter’s Seattle office. Ms. Bitseff provides advice on compensation and benefits matters and serves as ERISA counsel in connection with employee benefit plans and employers. Ms. Bitseff addresses legal issues in design, implementation, administration, corrections, and conflict resolution related to health plans, severance plans, life insurance, disability benefits, wellness plans, 125 plans, individual account plans (HSAs, FSAs, and HRAs), and retirement plans. She assists clients with design, diligence review, internal audits, benefits outsourcing, vendor management, coverage issues, ERISA fiduciary liability, ERISA claims, and appeals processes, and government audits. Ms. Bitseff also serves as ERISA counsel supporting contract negotiations and business transactions such as mergers and acquisitions. She earned her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law, her LL.M. from the University of Washington and has served as adjunct faculty for graduate programs and as a frequent speaker on benefits and tax issues.