Erin E. Shick

Erin has significant experience advising plan sponsors on compliance issues primarily relating to ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, the ACA and the Internal Revenue Code. She assists clients with the design, implementation and operation of qualified retirement, health and welfare, and fringe benefit plans. She also performs employee benefits due diligence in the context of mergers and acquisitions.

Erin also handles executive compensation matters including 409A compliance, nonqualified plans and severance agreements. She regularly advises benefits committees, boards of directors and plan trustees regarding fiduciary and administrative obligations with respect to benefit plans. In addition to her significant background in establishing and advising on compliance matters related to Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Erin helped establish some of the nation’s first ESOPs in the cannabis industry.

Erin re-joined Calfee in 2025, from the Cincinnati office of a large national law firm, where she served as a Partner.

Erin earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif honor society. She earned her B.A. in Politics, cum laude, from Hillsdale College.

Honors & Recognitions

• Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Ohio (2023-2025)
• The Best Lawyers in America^© "Ones to Watch," Tax Law (2023)

Education

J.D., summa cum laude, University of Cincinnati College of Law, Order of the Coif, Notes and Comments Chair of University of Cincinnati Law Review, 2015

B.A., cum laude, Politics, Hillsdale College, 2012

Professional & Community

• WIPN, Cincinnati Chapter Co-Chair
• Worldwide Employee Benefits Network (WEB), Greater Cincinnati Chapter, Steering Committee/Founding Member
• Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, Building Cultural Competence Program, Participant

Publications/Presentations

• Cincinnati Bar Association, Employee Benefits Conference, Ethical Considerations for EBEC Practitioners (2023-2025).
• ASPPA Cincinnati Chapter, Ethical Considerations for Retirement Plan Professionals, November 2024.
• Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Annual HR Update, Employee Benefits Update, 2023-2025.
• “More Than Meets the Eye: Offering Family Planning Benefits,” Benefits Magazine (October 2023).
• “Buyer Beware: Affordable Care Act Penalties May Affect Deal Economics,” Deal Lawyers (Nov-Dec 2021 Issue).
• "How COVID-19 Relief Law Affects Benefit Plan Sponsors," Law360 (March 18, 2020)
• “INSIGHT: Employee Health Benefits Need Re-Check During Coronavirus Outbreak,” Bloomberg Law (March 2020)
• “INSIGHT: Coronavirus Adds to Employer To-Do List—Check Employee Benefits,” Bloomberg Law (2020)
• "Cyber Security: The Next Steps for Benefit Plans," Benefits Magazine (October 2017).
• “Expanding the Definition of ‘Sex Discrimination’ in Health Care: Transgender Health Benefits,” Benefits Magazine (December 2016)