"I practice employee benefits because of the human side. Employee benefits – retirement and health – impact the lives of most Americans." More from Cheryl's perspective

Cheryl Risley Hughes has practiced employee benefits law in private practice since graduating from law school in 1995.  Ms. Hughes is recognized for her expertise with regard to health and welfare plans, including products designed to reduce the cost of health care, particularly consumer-driven health plans.  At Groom, Ms. Hughes counsels plan sponsors, insurers, third party administrators and other organizations, including retiree VEBAs, on all aspects of health, welfare and fringe benefits law.  And, she is well-equipped to help clients prepare for health care reform.  Ms. Hughes has special expertise related to electronic payment (or debit) cards used with different types of health and welfare plans, as well as the nondiscrimination rules that apply to certain health and welfare plans. Additionally, Ms. Hughes advises clients with regard to their fringe benefits, such as educational assistance programs and qualified transportation plans.

Ms. Hughes is a contributing author to the Consumer Driven Health Plans reference manual and the Fringe Benefits reference manual, both published by the Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)/Thomson Reuters.  Formerly, she was a contributing author to the Cafeteria Plans reference manual, also published by EBIA.  While a student at the Georgetown University Law Center, Ms. Hughes completed her thesis titled Nondiscrimination Rules for Welfare Plans: Recommendations for Simplification.  Ms. Hughes lectures professional groups frequently on health, welfare and fringe benefits issues, including at seminars sponsored by EBIA and the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation (ECFC) and writes articles for professional groups on various topics.

Honors & Distinctions

• Listed in Marquis' Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who of Emerging Leaders
• Chief Managing Editor, The Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution

Previous Experience

• Public Service Fellow, United States Department of Justice
• Paralegal, District Attorney's Office for New York County

Professional Affiliations

• Employers Council on Flexible Compensation (ECFC) Cafeteria Plan Technical Advisors Council
• Employee Benefits Subcommittee, Tax Section, American Bar Association
• District of Columbia Bar Association
• New York State Bar Association
• Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia