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    Global Problem Solving from Covington: Deal with Complex Problems Anywhere in the World

    • Apr 08, 2021

Erika Skougard

Special Counsel

Washington +1 202 662 5979

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Erika Skougard counsels employers on a wide range of employee benefits, compensation, and employment issues. Erika’s professional background includes significant business management experience, which shapes her pragmatic approach to helping clients solve problems and achieve objectives.

    Erika helps employers of all sizes navigate the complex regulatory landscape of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and various federal, state, and municipal employment laws. Her practice covers the design and administration of employee benefits and executive compensation plans and the defense of employee benefit plans in government investigations and participant claims and appeals. She often advises clients on benefits and employment issues in domestic and international corporate transactions. Erika regularly represents public and private companies in negotiating compensation and separation agreements and counsels clients on paid leave policies and worker classification issues.

    Erika has a unique professional history. Before law school, she built a successful 15-year business career, most recently as head of the high-value seller accounts group at a leading e-commerce company, where she oversaw more than 100 personnel. As an attorney, Erika understands the value of a committed, qualified workforce and the need for a proactive, sophisticated approach to legal issues affecting the employer-employee relationship.

    Erika has an active pro bono practice, focused on helping not-for-profit organizations with benefits and employment issues. She also advises on matters involving LGBT+ rights and gender equality.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Helped a large employer to resolve and obtain a highly-favorable result in a multi-year investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor concerning fiduciary and plan expense issues for employee benefit plans holding more than $40 billion in assets.
    • Advised numerous publicly-traded and privately-held clients in multi-billion dollar corporate acquisitions, with respect to benefits and employment issues.
    • Negotiated separation packages for multiple senior executives, as well as new employment agreements with incoming executives, on behalf of a large pharmaceutical client.
    • Redesigned benefit claim procedures on behalf of Fortune 100 client for pension plans with more than 100,000 participants.

    • Counseled leading technology company on obligations under ERISA’s fiduciary, prohibited transaction and 408(b) disclosure rules with respect to indirect compensation in connection with a 401(k) plan recordkeeper agreement.
    • Assisted U.S. client in complying with international tax and employment classification rules in connection with a global expansion to a half-dozen countries.
    • Counseled numerous clients on compliance with federal and local wage and leave protection laws.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • University of Utah, SJ Quinney College of Law, J.D., 2012
        • Order of the Coif 
        • Executive Articles Editor, Utah Law Review
        • Dean’s Award, 2010, 2011, and 2012
    • University of Utah, B.S.
        • Economics
    Bar Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    • Utah
    Judicial Clerkship
    • Scott M. Matheson, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, 2012 - 2013
    Pro Bono
    • Frequently advises not-for-profit organizations on various benefits and employment matters including worker classification, compensation, health and welfare plans, and employee leave protections.
    • Advised academic research institutions on policy and regulatory matters affecting retirement security.
    • Achieved favorable settlement for community services non-profit organization of claims by former employee under Americans with Disabilities Act and related local laws.
    • Advised not-for-profit advocacy organizations on policy matters involving legal protections for LGBT+ individuals.
    Previous Experience
    • eBay, Inc., Senior Manager, Top Seller Account Management Operations
    • JPMorgan Chase, Assistant Vice President, Commercial Card Solutions
    • People Helping People, Director of Development & Client Services
    • Digitas LLC, Associate Director
    • Convergys Corporation, Account Manager

    Areas of Expertise

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