Overview
Bethany Bacci provides legal services to clients of all sizes on a wide array of federal tax and ERISA matters relating to employee benefits. Her practice encompasses tax-qualified retirement plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, health and welfare arrangements and executive employee agreements. In an evolving regulatory environment, Bethany represents plan sponsors in devising, negotiating, and implementing changes to employee benefit programs to address tax qualification issues, align plan design with business objectives, and mitigate risk through use of the IRS and Department of Labor correction programs. Bethany also advises plan benefit committees on their fiduciary obligations, plan governance and participant communications. She has handled numerous plan mergers and frequently advises on issues related to the benefit plan implications of corporate transactions.
When not focusing on her benefits practice, Bethany serves as a member of Stoel Rives’ Pro Bono Committee and represents pro bono clients on a variety of issues through the Stoel Rives night clinic run in partnership with Multnomah County Legal Aid. She previously won the firm’s pro bono award in recognition of her service.
Education
Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, J.D., cum laude
Stanford University, B.A., art history
Admissions
Alaska
Oregon
Washington
Insights
Insights & Presentations
- “Post-COVID Health and Welfare Plan 2024 Update,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, November 2023
- “Confused About Federal COVID-19 Emergencies Ending? You’re Not Alone,” (co-author), Daily Journal of Commerce, May 2023
- “Ending Emergencies and New Transparency: Employee Health Benefits Update,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, April 2023
- “Paid Family Leave Laws,” SHRM/Stoel Rives 21st Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, March 2023
- “Is Any Pandemic Relief Still Available for Employee Benefit Plans?” (co-author), Daily Journal of Commerce, November 2022
- “Charming the Snake: Administering the COBRA Premium Subsidy,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, May 2021
- “Happy New Employee Benefits Year: Stimulus Relief for 2021,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, January 2021
- “Webinar: Employee Benefits COVID-19 and COBRA Update,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, May 2020
- “Employee Benefits in the Time of COVID-19: Impact of FFCRA and the CARES Act,” Stoel Rives LLP webinar, April 2020
- “Legal & Regulatory Update for Retirement Plans,” WP&BC Portland Seminar, March 2020
Recognition
- Selected as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” (Oregon) by Chambers USA (Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation), 2020–present
- Named by Best Lawyers® as Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law “Lawyer of the Year,” Portland, 2022
- Included in The Best Lawyers in America® (Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law), 2013–present
- Pro Bono Award, Multnomah Bar Association, Recipient, 2023
Affiliations
Professional
- Western Pension & Benefits Council Portland Chapter, former member Board of Directors, and President
- Tax Section and Health Care Law Section, American Bar Association, Member
Civic
- Oregon Lawyers Against Hunger, Board of Directors, 2005–present; former President
- Pet Peace of Mind, Board of Directors, 2016-present
- The Edwards Center, Board of Directors, 2025-present