SeongKim
Partner
Employee Benefits
sjkim@seyfarth.com
Seong advises retirement and health plans, Fortune 500 companies, boards of trustees, directors, C-Suite executives, and other senior managers on all employee benefit plan matters.
More About Seong
Employee benefits plans are subject to complex and evolving federal and state laws, including ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, the Affordable Care Act, COBRA, and HIPAA. Seong has extensive experience advising retirement and health plans, Fortune 500 companies, boards of trustees, directors, C-Suite executives, and other senior managers on all employee benefit plan matters.
Seong serves as lead counsel for some of the largest multiemployer and single employer pension and health and welfare funds in the country with billions of dollars in assets in the entertainment, construction, gaming, retail food, hotel, culinary, and shipping industries, among others. He also advises contributing employers on all multiemployer plan and withdrawal liability issues.
Seong also advises governmental plans and public agencies, and has served as counsel to numerous county retirement systems, cities, counties, water districts, transit authorities, police and fire retirement systems, hospitals, and large publicly operated health plans. Seong has extensive experience with local and state rules impacting California employee benefit plans, including CalPERS, PEPRA, CalSavers, OPEB benefits, and the Knox Keene Act.
Seong also has significant experience in the areas of withdrawal liability, plan design, fiduciary responsibility, privacy, benefit claims and appeals, prohibited transactions, and service provider disclosure requirements. He regularly reviews and negotiates investment management, hedge fund, and private equity agreements, and assists in the investment of plan assets and the negotiation of side letters. Seong has also successfully represented numerous plan sponsors in controversies before the IRS, DOL, and PBGC.
In his counseling, he draws upon his experiences to offer clients a unique perspective to compliance with all employee benefits laws.
Seong enjoys working at Seyfarth, one of the most comprehensive and complex employee benefits practices in the nation. He appreciates being able to draw on that experience and knowledge to best service his clients.
Seong serves as lead counsel for some of the largest multiemployer and single employer pension and health and welfare funds in the country with billions of dollars in assets in the entertainment, construction, gaming, retail food, hotel, culinary, and shipping industries, among others. He also advises contributing employers on all multiemployer plan and withdrawal liability issues.
Seong also advises governmental plans and public agencies, and has served as counsel to numerous county retirement systems, cities, counties, water districts, transit authorities, police and fire retirement systems, hospitals, and large publicly operated health plans. Seong has extensive experience with local and state rules impacting California employee benefit plans, including CalPERS, PEPRA, CalSavers, OPEB benefits, and the Knox Keene Act.
Seong also has significant experience in the areas of withdrawal liability, plan design, fiduciary responsibility, privacy, benefit claims and appeals, prohibited transactions, and service provider disclosure requirements. He regularly reviews and negotiates investment management, hedge fund, and private equity agreements, and assists in the investment of plan assets and the negotiation of side letters. Seong has also successfully represented numerous plan sponsors in controversies before the IRS, DOL, and PBGC.
In his counseling, he draws upon his experiences to offer clients a unique perspective to compliance with all employee benefits laws.
Seong enjoys working at Seyfarth, one of the most comprehensive and complex employee benefits practices in the nation. He appreciates being able to draw on that experience and knowledge to best service his clients.
- JD, University of California College of the Law, San Francisco
Tax Law - BS, University of California, Berkeley
Business AdministrationHonors
- BA, University of California, Berkeley
Distinction in general scholarship
- California
- California Superior Court
Related Services
Blogs
Related News & Insights
-
Blog Post
Mar 27, 2023
National Education Association Retirement Plan Gets Schooled On Withdrawal Liability Interest Rate Assumptions
-
Blog Post
Jan 10, 2023
Special Financial Assistance Is Good News For Fund Participating Employers, But Is Not A Free Exit Pass
-
Legal Update
Oct 21, 2022
PBGC Addresses Withdrawal Liability Assumptions For First Time In New Proposed Rule
-
Speaking Engagement
Oct 6, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys to Present at PLI Program: Review of the PBGC’s Final Rule on the Special Financial Assistance Program
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Litigation - Intellectual Property (2023)
- Asian Pacific American Bar Association Los Angeles, member, 2011-present
- Co-Author, "PBGC Addresses Withdrawal Liability Assumptions For First Time In New Proposed Rule," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 21, 2022)
- Co-Author, "PBGC Finally Publishes Final Rule On Special Financial Assistance Program," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 13, 2022)
- Co-Author, "PBGC Issues Additional Guidance on Special Financial Assistance for Financially Troubled Multiemployer Pension Plans," ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section’s Employee Benefits Law (October 14, 2021)
- Co-Author, "PBGC Issues Much Anticipated Interim Final Rule on Special Financial Assistance Under American Rescue Plan Act," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 13, 2021)
- Co-Author, "IRS Releases Extensive Guidance on ARPA COBRA Subsidy," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 21, 2021)
- "Multiemployer Pension Plan Reform in American Rescue Act," American Bar Association TIPS Employee Benefits Section (Spring 2021)
- Co-Author, "Pension and Executive Compensation Provisions in the American Rescue Plan Act," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 11, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Multiemployer Pension Reform Ruled Eligible For The COVID Relief Act," Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 2, 2021); Employer Labor Relations Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 2, 2021)
- "Parliamentarian To Decide Fate Of Multiemployer Pension Reform In The COVID Relief Act," Beneficially Yours (March 1, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Mailbox or Inbox? What You Need to Know Before Switching to Electronic Notices," International Foundation for Employee Benefit Plans, Benefits Magazine, Volume 56, No. 7 (July 2019)
- Co-Author, "Issue 84: HHS Delays the Implementation Date for Adopting the ICD-10 Coding Standard Until October 1, 2015," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 25, 2014); Health Care Reform Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 25, 2014)
- Lead Employee Benefits/Multiemployer Plan Author for Seyfarth Employee Benefits Quarterly Updates and California Peculiarities (2011-present)
- Presenter, "Representing Public Sector Plans," International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plan 67th Annual Conference (October 19, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Compliance," International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plan 67th Annual Conference (October 19, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "The PBGC Interim Final Rule on Special Financial Assistance: What it Means for Multiemployer Plans and Participating Employers," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 30, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Pension Reform in our Time? What Butch Lewis Means for Multiemployer Plans and Participating Employers," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 24, 2021)
- Speaker, Fiduciary Duties And Multiemployer Plan Funding Policies, International Foundation of Employee Benefits (November 2019)
- Interviewed, "Pension Plan Reform in American Rescue Act of 2021," Bloomberg Law
- Quoted, "Stimulus Bill Includes Executive Compensation Changes That Might Affect NQDC Plans," PlanSponsor (March 18, 2021)
- Quoted, "Pension Crisis Is Challenge DOL Nominee Is Positioned to Handle," Bloomberg Law (March 1, 2021)
- Pro Bono chair, Los Angeles Offices, 2020-present
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, Pro Bono Advisory Committee, board member, 2015-present
Seong advises retirement and health plans, Fortune 500 companies, boards of trustees, directors, C-Suite executives, and other senior managers on all employee benefit plan matters.
More About Seong
Employee benefits plans are subject to complex and evolving federal and state laws, including ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, the Affordable Care Act, COBRA, and HIPAA. Seong has extensive experience advising retirement and health plans, Fortune 500 companies, boards of trustees, directors, C-Suite executives, and other senior managers on all employee benefit plan matters.
Seong serves as lead counsel for some of the largest multiemployer and single employer pension and health and welfare funds in the country with billions of dollars in assets in the entertainment, construction, gaming, retail food, hotel, culinary, and shipping industries, among others. He also advises contributing employers on all multiemployer plan and withdrawal liability issues.
Seong also advises governmental plans and public agencies, and has served as counsel to numerous county retirement systems, cities, counties, water districts, transit authorities, police and fire retirement systems, hospitals, and large publicly operated health plans. Seong has extensive experience with local and state rules impacting California employee benefit plans, including CalPERS, PEPRA, CalSavers, OPEB benefits, and the Knox Keene Act.
Seong also has significant experience in the areas of withdrawal liability, plan design, fiduciary responsibility, privacy, benefit claims and appeals, prohibited transactions, and service provider disclosure requirements. He regularly reviews and negotiates investment management, hedge fund, and private equity agreements, and assists in the investment of plan assets and the negotiation of side letters. Seong has also successfully represented numerous plan sponsors in controversies before the IRS, DOL, and PBGC.
In his counseling, he draws upon his experiences to offer clients a unique perspective to compliance with all employee benefits laws.
Seong enjoys working at Seyfarth, one of the most comprehensive and complex employee benefits practices in the nation. He appreciates being able to draw on that experience and knowledge to best service his clients.
Seong serves as lead counsel for some of the largest multiemployer and single employer pension and health and welfare funds in the country with billions of dollars in assets in the entertainment, construction, gaming, retail food, hotel, culinary, and shipping industries, among others. He also advises contributing employers on all multiemployer plan and withdrawal liability issues.
Seong also advises governmental plans and public agencies, and has served as counsel to numerous county retirement systems, cities, counties, water districts, transit authorities, police and fire retirement systems, hospitals, and large publicly operated health plans. Seong has extensive experience with local and state rules impacting California employee benefit plans, including CalPERS, PEPRA, CalSavers, OPEB benefits, and the Knox Keene Act.
Seong also has significant experience in the areas of withdrawal liability, plan design, fiduciary responsibility, privacy, benefit claims and appeals, prohibited transactions, and service provider disclosure requirements. He regularly reviews and negotiates investment management, hedge fund, and private equity agreements, and assists in the investment of plan assets and the negotiation of side letters. Seong has also successfully represented numerous plan sponsors in controversies before the IRS, DOL, and PBGC.
In his counseling, he draws upon his experiences to offer clients a unique perspective to compliance with all employee benefits laws.
Seong enjoys working at Seyfarth, one of the most comprehensive and complex employee benefits practices in the nation. He appreciates being able to draw on that experience and knowledge to best service his clients.
- JD, University of California College of the Law, San Francisco
Tax Law - BS, University of California, Berkeley
Business AdministrationHonors
- BA, University of California, Berkeley
Distinction in general scholarship
- California
- California Superior Court
Related Services
Blogs
Related News & Insights
-
Blog Post
Mar 27, 2023
National Education Association Retirement Plan Gets Schooled On Withdrawal Liability Interest Rate Assumptions
-
Blog Post
Jan 10, 2023
Special Financial Assistance Is Good News For Fund Participating Employers, But Is Not A Free Exit Pass
-
Legal Update
Oct 21, 2022
PBGC Addresses Withdrawal Liability Assumptions For First Time In New Proposed Rule
-
Speaking Engagement
Oct 6, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys to Present at PLI Program: Review of the PBGC’s Final Rule on the Special Financial Assistance Program
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Litigation - Intellectual Property (2023)
- Asian Pacific American Bar Association Los Angeles, member, 2011-present
- Co-Author, "PBGC Addresses Withdrawal Liability Assumptions For First Time In New Proposed Rule," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 21, 2022)
- Co-Author, "PBGC Finally Publishes Final Rule On Special Financial Assistance Program," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 13, 2022)
- Co-Author, "PBGC Issues Additional Guidance on Special Financial Assistance for Financially Troubled Multiemployer Pension Plans," ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section’s Employee Benefits Law (October 14, 2021)
- Co-Author, "PBGC Issues Much Anticipated Interim Final Rule on Special Financial Assistance Under American Rescue Plan Act," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 13, 2021)
- Co-Author, "IRS Releases Extensive Guidance on ARPA COBRA Subsidy," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 21, 2021)
- "Multiemployer Pension Plan Reform in American Rescue Act," American Bar Association TIPS Employee Benefits Section (Spring 2021)
- Co-Author, "Pension and Executive Compensation Provisions in the American Rescue Plan Act," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 11, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Multiemployer Pension Reform Ruled Eligible For The COVID Relief Act," Beneficially Yours Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 2, 2021); Employer Labor Relations Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 2, 2021)
- "Parliamentarian To Decide Fate Of Multiemployer Pension Reform In The COVID Relief Act," Beneficially Yours (March 1, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Mailbox or Inbox? What You Need to Know Before Switching to Electronic Notices," International Foundation for Employee Benefit Plans, Benefits Magazine, Volume 56, No. 7 (July 2019)
- Co-Author, "Issue 84: HHS Delays the Implementation Date for Adopting the ICD-10 Coding Standard Until October 1, 2015," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 25, 2014); Health Care Reform Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 25, 2014)
- Lead Employee Benefits/Multiemployer Plan Author for Seyfarth Employee Benefits Quarterly Updates and California Peculiarities (2011-present)
- Presenter, "Representing Public Sector Plans," International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plan 67th Annual Conference (October 19, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Compliance," International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plan 67th Annual Conference (October 19, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "The PBGC Interim Final Rule on Special Financial Assistance: What it Means for Multiemployer Plans and Participating Employers," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 30, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Pension Reform in our Time? What Butch Lewis Means for Multiemployer Plans and Participating Employers," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 24, 2021)
- Speaker, Fiduciary Duties And Multiemployer Plan Funding Policies, International Foundation of Employee Benefits (November 2019)
- Interviewed, "Pension Plan Reform in American Rescue Act of 2021," Bloomberg Law
- Quoted, "Stimulus Bill Includes Executive Compensation Changes That Might Affect NQDC Plans," PlanSponsor (March 18, 2021)
- Quoted, "Pension Crisis Is Challenge DOL Nominee Is Positioned to Handle," Bloomberg Law (March 1, 2021)
- Pro Bono chair, Los Angeles Offices, 2020-present
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, Pro Bono Advisory Committee, board member, 2015-present