Press Release

Groom Names Four New Principals in 2023

Issued by Groom Law Group

Jan. 5, 2023

Groom Law Group, Chartered has announced that four of its counsel have been elected to principal, effective January 1, 2023.

“In yet another exciting year of growth for the firm, we are thrilled to recognize the achievements and to support the promising careers of these four accomplished individuals who provide the highest level of service to our clients, and who contribute in numerous ways to our firm as a whole,” said Christine Keller, Executive Principal of Groom. “Together with last year’s record expansion from new hires, these advancements reflect Groom’s strategic commitment to continuing our delivery of expert legal advice through the broadening of our talent with knowledgeable, diverse, and business-oriented attorneys who exemplify the firm’s values day in and day out.”

The members of Groom’s 2023 principal class are:

William Fogleman joined Groom in 2014, and since then has been an integral part of the firm’s tax practice, particularly in the area of executive compensation.  Clients and colleagues alike rely on his expertise in qualified retirement plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, equity and cash-based incentive compensation arrangements, and employment agreements and separation agreements for individual executives.  In addition, Will has considerable experience advising tax-exempt clients on unrelated business income tax (UBIT) issues.  

Kelly Geloneck has made numerous contributions to the firm over the past decade, including mentoring junior attorneys and advising clients on wide range of federal tax and ERISA matters impacting qualified retirement plans and governmental plans. Her practice encompasses qualified retirement plans, governmental plans, executive compensation, and federal income and employment tax reporting. Prior to her legal career, Kelly was an associate with Mercer Consulting in Los Angeles where she analyzed and developed executive compensation structures with a focus on long-term and deferred compensation arrangements.

Andrew Salek-Raham has, over the past 10 years, become an integral part of Groom’s litigation team, defending clients in ERISA class action lawsuits and Department of Labor investigations and enforcement actions, particularly in the area of employee stock ownership plans, as well as serving as a mentor to associates in the litigation group. His experience spans all phases of federal litigation, including motions practice, class certification, discovery, mediation, and trial.

Kara Petteway Wheatley, who joined Groom in 2018 as an experienced litigator, has quickly established herself as a key member of Groom’s litigation team, particularly in healthcare investigations and litigation. She represents health plan sponsors, TPAs and health insurers in various litigation, including suits brought under ERISA, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (“MHPAEA”), and the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”), as well as in investigations by federal and state regulators.

About Groom Law Group, Chartered

Groom is an award-winning law firm that solves complicated legal issues for plan sponsors, health insurers, financial institutions, retirement services providers, and the public sector. Since our founding in the wake of ERISA’s passage, Groom’s rapid response to shifts in the employee benefits, retirement and health care policy paradigm has been our calling card.  In a world that moves as swiftly as the evolution of benefits law, versatility and willingness to adapt have become core tenets of our practice at Groom. With nearly 100 attorneys, Groom’s benefits, retirement services and health industry practices, along with our litigation and policy groups, are among the largest in the United States. 

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