Of Counsel

Ms. Onichimowski graduated with an LL.M. in Taxation from Temple University School of Law. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law. At Widener, Ms. Onichimowski was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society. Ms. Onichimowski received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, where she was on the Dean’s List. Ms. Onichimowski also received a Mediation Certificate from DePaul University School of Law, and a Certificate of Mediation in Family Law from DePaul University.

Ms. Onichimowski has extensive experience in ERISA, including all aspects of ERISA with every type of plan. During the course of her career, which includes being Counsel to the plan clients of major firms as well as currently, Ms. Onichimowski has been the ERISA Counsel to literally thousands of plans, handling every type of issue arising under ERISA. Ms. Onichimowski has drafted all types of plans, and has been counsel to the plans up to, including and after the IRS determination letter process. Ms. Onichimowski has also drafted related plan documents, such as summary plan descriptions, summaries of material modifications, qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs), QDRO procedures, hardship distribution procedures, loan procedures, etc. Ms. Onichimowski has also represented plans before the U.S. Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service.

Ms. Onichimowski also handles other types of issues, such as those relating to public pension plans, civil appeals, employment law, family law in connection with QDROs and Illinois QDROs (i.e., QILDROs), employment and severance negotiations, discrimination, etc. Ms. Onichimowski also appears before boards of trustees and Hearing Panels in the pre-litigation stage. Ms. Onichimowski regularly appears in both Federal and State Court.

Ms. Onichimowski has spoken before various groups, including the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (CEBS), the Advanced Foot & Ankle Association, and the Atlanta Bar Association. Representative topics include multiemployer plans vs. single-employer plans, HIPAA & Employment Law, DOL regulations, privacy issues, COBRA, and other matters.

Ms. Onichimowski is a member of the Illinois Bar, the Pennsylvania Bar, and the New Jersey Bar. Ms. Onichimowski is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the Northern District of Indiana. She is a Certified Mediator for the Circuit Court of Cook County, and is an Arbitrator for the Circuit Court of Cook County. Ms. Onichimowski is also a FINRA arbitrator.

Ms. Onichimowski is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Appellate Lawyers Association, the National Employment Lawyers Association-National, the National Employment Lawyers Association-Illinois, and the National Pension Lawyers.