Allison Warden Sizemore

Allison is the managing partner of Reed Smith’s Pittsburgh office and chair of the firm’s U.S. Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group.She offers clients comprehensive guidance on a broad spectrum of employee benefits and executive compensation matters. Allison advises on all aspects of benefit plan compliance and design, ensuring compliance with legal requirements for qualified retirement plans, and handling complex controlled group and related determinations. She is highly proficient in drafting and reviewing documentation and disclosures for both qualified and nonqualified plans, and she counsels clients on executive compensation matters, including those involving Internal Revenue Code Sections 409A, 280G and 457.

Allison provides ongoing advice to clients regarding the administration and compliance of benefits programs, including health and welfare plan issues, withdrawal liability and other multiemployer plan concerns. She is a trusted resource for employers on ERISA fiduciary matters, offering strategic guidance on governance, potential liability and best practices. Additionally, Allison assists financial institutions with complex issues such as prohibited transactions, trust and custody arrangements, required disclosures and the application of “plan asset” rules. Her experience also encompasses advising on benefits-related aspects of mergers and acquisitions, lending transactions, and private equity and private fund transactions. Allison is skilled at analyzing the ERISA implications of fund structures and operational matters, helping clients navigate the intricate regulatory environment surrounding employee benefits and executive compensation. Her extensive knowledge enables her to deliver practical, effective solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs.