Christine Keller advises a wide range of clients on all aspects of health and welfare plan design, administration, and funding including compliance with federal tax, ERISA, and other federal and state law requirements, plan and VEBA trust document drafting, participant disclosure, change in election issues, wellness program compliance, and claims and appeals. Her clients include employers, insurers, and service providers of all sizes.
She draws on her prior IRS experience to provide practical advice about risk and to assist clients with obtaining informal guidance and rulings from the IRS and other federal agencies. Christine is actively helping clients understand the ramifications of proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act and frequently speaks to clients and professional groups on that topic.
Christine joined the firm in 2001 after practicing for six years at the IRS, Office of Chief Counsel (Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Division). At the Office of Chief Counsel, Christine worked first in the qualified plans litigation branch and later in the health and welfare branch. She is one of the principal authors of two sets of final cafeteria plan regulations published by the IRS in 2000 and 2001.
Beginning in 2022, Chris has served as the Executive Principal of Groom. She is currently a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, having also served on the committee previously from 2016 to 2020. Chris is also Vice Chair of Member Engagement of the Tax and Financial Practice Group for the American Health Law Association (“AHLA”).
“It’s impressive that she has such a broad array of law and guidance. She immediately knows the subject matter backwards and forwards and is able to very quickly turn around and explain the rules relevant to the question in a short time frame.” – Client
