Jacquelyn Meng Abbott

Jacquie is of counsel in the Vorys Houston office and a member of the labor and employment group.  Her practice focuses on employee benefits and related federal compensation tax matters.  Jacquie has nearly 50 years of experience in the employee benefits and labor arena and has advised on labor negotiations, pension and fringe benefit plan mergers and dissolutions.  She also provides legal advice to human resource and corporate financial services leaders on employee benefits and employment tax laws including MHPAEA, CAA, ERISA, ADEA, ADA, GINA, FMLA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA and other applicable federal laws.

As supervising tax counsel for a Fortune 10 company, she was responsible for legal compliance of medical, dental, life insurance and disability plans.  In addition, she advised on payroll tax matters.  She was also in-house counsel at a large insurance company for more than two decades with similar responsibilities.

Jacquie has guided clients through over four decades of economic and regulatory changes.  She has deep knowledge of major legislative initiatives that have affected both single and multiemployer plans, including HIPAA and the Affordable Care Act.  While Jacquie is respected for her legal knowledge, it is her practical approach to problem solving that clients appreciate most.

Career highlights include:

• Providing legal counsel related to the drafting and negotiating benefit plan vendor contracts (fully insured and administrative services only)
• Advising numerous stakeholders on compliance issues related to the Affordable Care Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Advising on the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on employer provided fringe benefits
• Served as chair of the ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) health policy committee

Jacquie is a frequent speaker on recent developments and is currently vice-chair of the American Bar Association’s Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law, Welfare Benefit Plans Committee.  She is also the immediate past chair of the Section of Taxation's Subcommittee on Welfare Plan and EEOC, FMLA and Leave Issues.

Jacquie has presented and has been published on a number of employee benefits related topics including: what should the ERISA qualifications of an annuity purchased by an employer in the face of the Executive Life insolvency; ERISA: Ten Years After, “Plan Asset Reversions;” and developments in the life insurance industry.

Jacquie received her J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.  She received her B.A. with honors from Bowling Green State University.

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2024

Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year, Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program, 2010

Professional & Community Activities

American Bar Association Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law, Welfare Benefit Plans, Vice-Chair

ERISA Industry Committee, Health Policy Committee, Chair, 2008-2012; Retirement Committee and Health Policy Committee, Member

American Bar Association Section of Taxation, Subcommittee on Welfare Plan and EEOC, FMLA and Leave Issues, Immediate Past Chair, 2020 to present; Corporate Counsel Committee, Chair, 2012-2019

American Council of Life Insurance, Risk Classification Committee, Member, 1988-1990; Task Force on Fiduciary Matters, Member, 1980-1996; Joint Committee with Health Insurance Association of America on Task Force on the Application of ERISA to Welfare Benefit Plans, Member, 1994-1996; Member of Task Force working on DOL general account regulations, 1980-1999

Indiana State Bar Association, Board of Governors, Member, 1991-1993; Long Range Planning Committee, Chair, 1996-1997; House of Delegates Representative for the Fourth District, Member, 1993-1999; Indiana Bar Foundation, Fellow

School District's Music Booster Organization, Treasurer

Ft. Wayne Philharmonic Women's Committee, Board of Directors, Counsel

Limberlost Girl Scout Council, Leader

YWCA Woman of Achievement, Member

Junior Achievement, Project Business Consultant