Practice areas: Employee Benefits, Mergers & Acquisitions
Licensed in California since: 1983
Education: University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2004, 2022 - 2026 Call today:
949-771-9107
Free Consultation Boutwell Fay LLP
19712 MacArthur BoulevardSuite 222
Irvine, CA 92612 Visit website
At Boutwell Fay LLP, Sherrie Boutwell is a seasoned employee-benefits attorney whose practice is defined by clarity, pragmatism and an unwavering commitment to client success. Since earning her J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1983 and gaining admission to The State Bar of California the same year, she has devoted her career to unraveling the complexities of qualified and nonqualified plans, health and welfare programs, fringe benefits and ERISA compliance.
Based in Irvine, California, Ms. Boutwell brings more than four decades of focused experience to every matter she handles. Whether she is structuring retirement plans, advising on mergers and acquisitions, correcting plan errors under EPCRS, or defending clients in audits by the IRS, DOL or PBGC, she approaches each challenge with down-to-earth insight and strategic rigor. Her clients, ranging from small, closely held businesses to public companies, financial institutions, plan service providers and governmental bodies, rely on her to translate intricate regulations into practical solutions that protect fiduciaries, participants and plan sponsors alike.
Ms. Boutwell is also a recognized thought leader and sought-after speaker. Her recent presentations include “Navigating Health and Wellness Benefits through Mergers & Acquisitions” (International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 2024) and “Mental Health Parity Update: 3 Key Developments in 2023” (Journal of Pension Benefits, Winter 2024). She frequently publishes legislative and regulatory updates, commentary on DOL enforcement trends and analysis of emerging health-care requirements under COBRA, HIPAA and ACA.
A Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel and former board member of the National Institute of Pension Administrators’ Orange County chapter, Ms. Boutwell maintains an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell. She also holds leadership roles in the ABA’s Tax and Labor Sections, the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, and the Women in Pension Network, among others.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Employee Benefits, Mergers & Acquisitions- 60% Employee Benefits
- 40% Mergers & Acquisitions
First Admitted: 1983, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.boutwellfay.com/sherrie-boutwell
Bar / Professional Activity
- Board Member, Orange County Chapter of the National Institute of Pension Administrators, 2010-2023
- Member, TE/GE Council
- Orange County Bar Association, Tax Law Section
- California Lawyers Association, Tax & Employment Sections
- ABA, Tax Section, Labor Section
- WiPN, Women in Pension Network
- Western Pension & Benefits Council, Orange County Chapter
- American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries
- 1984, U.S. Tax Court
- 1984, U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- 1983, California
- Participated in and presented a policy paper regarding Section 403(b) plans to the IRS, Treasury Department and various federal congressional tax committee staff members as a part of the California State Bar Association Tax Section's "DC Delegation., 2017
Educational Background
- University of California, Irvine, B.A., magna cum Laude, 1979
White Papers
- Co-Authored Whitepaper regarding ERISA consideration in texting program for financial well being., ERISA and Internal Revenue Code Considerations for Texting Programs..., Financial Services, 2024
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Authors/co-author of a quarterly column on health and welfare plan issues for the Journal of Pension Planning and Compliance., Author/Co-author, Columnist: Health and Welfare Plans, https://lrus.wolterskluwer.com/store/product/journal-of-pension-planning-compliance/, 2024
- “2023 Annual Legislative & Regulatory Update.” Boutwell, Sherrie and Notto, Dan. Western Pension & Benefit Counsil, January 2023
- “503 - Plan Administration: EPCRS and SECURE 2.0.” Boutwell, Sherrie. Conference of Consulting Actuaries, October 2023
- “DOL Investigations of Health & Welfare Plans: Current Trends and Best Practices.” Boutwell, Sherrie. Journal of Pension Benefits, vol. 30, no. 2, Winter 2023
- “Impact of the End of the Covid-19 Emergencies on Health and Welfare Plans.” Boutwell, Sherrie. Journal of Pension Benefits, vol. 30, no.3, Summer 2023
- “COBRA Continuation Coverage in Mergers and Acquisitions.” Boutwell, Sherrie. Journal of Pension Benefits, vol. 30, no. 3, Spring 2023
- “DOL Final Rule for Worker Classification: Impact on Retirement Plan Participation and Healthcare Coverage.” Boutwell, Sherrie. Strafford, March 2024
- “Mental Health Parity Update: 3 Key Developments in 2023.” Boutwell, Sherrie. Journal of Pension Benefits, vol. 31, no. 2, Winter 2024
- “2024 Annual Legislative & Regulatory Update.” Boutwell, Sherrie and Kahn, Melissa. Western Pension & Benefit Counsil, January 2024
- “Navigating Health and Wellness Benefits through Mergers & Acquisitions.” Boutwell, Sherrie and Veldkamp, Katrina. International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, April 2024
- Summary of California law re mandated retirements plans., Author, Is Your Law Firm or Client Required to Offer a Retirement Plan?, Orange County Lawyer Magazine, Legal, 2023
Honors
- Selected and admitted as a Fellow in the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel., Selected as a Fellow in the ACEBC, https://www.acebc.com/, 2018
- Fellow, American College of Employee Benefits Council
- AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated Martindale Hubbell, 1999-current
- “Southern California Super Lawyer,” 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022
Awards
AV Preeminent®: This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Industry Groups
- All Industries
Office location for Sherrie Boutwell
19712 MacArthur Boulevard
Suite 222
Irvine, CA 92612
Phone: 949-771-9107
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2004, 2022 - 2026
