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Linda A. Way-Smith

Of Counsel

Linda A. Way-Smith counsels clients on the full range of benefits matters, including retirement plans, health and welfare plans, and executive compensation. She offers advice on plan design and administration, governance, fiduciary, and claims issues. She also guides clients on Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and Internal Revenue Code compliance. During her more than 20 years in practice, her clients included single- and multiemployer plans, as well as government plans.

As in-house benefits counsel for one of the nation’s largest, publicly held energy companies, Linda advised the company and its subsidiaries on administration and compliance matters for its benefits plans. Linda helped guide her employer on merger and acquisition activity involving thousands of employees. She assisted with the design and implementation of an award-winning pension investment strategy. When the company faced fiduciary litigation involving a drop in stock price, Linda assisted in the defense.

As director of employee benefits for a distinguished public university, Linda managed retirement and welfare benefit programs for more than 30,000 covered individuals. She also worked at the state level on benefit policymaking, and offered advice on benefits and employment matters.

Linda began her legal career as an associate at Morgan Lewis, and returned to the firm in 2013. Before entering law school, Linda managed the state government relations program for a large national trade association.

  • American University, 1989, B.A., With Highest Honors
  • Georgetown University, 1994, M.A.
  • University of Virginia School of Law, 1997, J.D.
  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia

Member, Practice Group of the Year, Benefits, Law360 (2022)

Member, Law Firm of the Year, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Chambers USA (2019)

Member, Law Firm of the Year, Employee Benefits (ERISA Law), US News/Best Lawyers – Best Law Firms (2019)

Board Member, Baltimore Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) (2011–2013)