Clarissa advocates zealously and effectively for employee benefit plans, plan administrators, plan sponsors, and other fiduciaries before federal and state courts and government regulatory agencies.
As a director in our nationally recognized ERISA litigation group (First Tier Nationally in US News and World Report Best Lawyers), she has handled a broad spectrum of litigation, including cases involving benefit claims, fiduciary issues, plan administration, multiemployer plans, withdrawal liability, delinquent contributions, plan reimbursement and subrogation, non-ERISA benefit plans (such as governmental plans and church plans), and class actions. In addition to serving as an advocate in active litigation, Clarissa advises and represents retirement plans, health and welfare plans, and plan fiduciaries in investigations and agency actions commenced by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Taking a practical and thoughtful approach, Clarissa provides advice and support to plan fiduciaries on plan design and administration, including determination of benefit claims and appeals.
Clarissa is a frequent presenter and author on ERISA litigation, plan administration, benefit claims administration, and fiduciary responsibility.
Clarissa is admitted to practice before the state and federal district courts of California (Northern, Central, Eastern, Southern), the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the state and federal district courts of Hawaii.
Clarissa is a Fellow in the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, the highest level of recognition for an ERISA attorney. Selection as a Fellow reflects the College’s judgment that a nominee has made significant contributions to the advancement of the employee benefits field. She has been listed as a Northern California “Super Lawyer” in the area of employee benefits law since 2014 and was selected one as of the top 50 women lawyers and top 100 lawyers in 2022 and 2023. Chambers USA has individually recognized Clarissa in the area of ERISA Litigation, USA – Nationwide since 2022. She has also been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers® in America since 2020 in the practice of ERISA Litigation. Clarissa received the Minority Bar Coalition Unity Award in 2015 for promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
