Press Release

Cohen & Buckmann Names New Practice Area Chairs: Carol Buckmann and Gretchen Harders

Issued by Cohen & Buckmann P.C.

Sept. 8, 2025

Cohen & Buckmann P.C. has appointed two of its most experienced attorneys to new leadership roles, enhancing the firm’s industry leadership on retirement plan governance, fiduciary compliance and employee benefits strategy. Carol Buckmann has been named chair of the firm’s Fiduciary and Plan Governance Practice, and Gretchen Harders is chair of the Pensions and Employee Benefits Practice .

“Carol and Gretchen have long been thought leaders at the forefront of these complex issues,” co-founder and managing partner Sandra Cohen said. “We’re proud to see them take on these new roles, and we know their vision and leadership will continue to strengthen our practice and the outcomes for our clients.”

Carol Buckmann

A nationally recognized authority on the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Carol has counseled employers, plan sponsors, committees, trustees and investment managers for decades on the full scope of fiduciary duties. Under her leadership, the Fiduciary and Plan Governance practice helps clients minimize litigation risk, strengthen oversight and respond effectively to investigations and Department of Labor audits. The practice regularly advises on fiduciary audits, investment oversight, service provider agreements and cybersecurity protocols for plan assets.

“I want our clients to have good governance practices that will help them fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities well and help to minimize their litigation risk, and that starts with clear, actionable advice,” Carol said. “My focus as chair of the Fiduciary and Plan Governance practice is to ensure we are proactive in providing the tools and support our clients need to navigate their responsibilities with clarity and confidence.”

Gretchen Harders

Gretchen is widely regarded as an attorney whom other attorneys call for advice on employee benefits, pensions and executive compensation. She represents a broad range of clients, from financial services companies and entertainment industry employers to tax-exempt organizations and individual executives. As chair of the Pensions and Employee Benefits practice, Gretchen provides steady leadership to employers and executives through evolving pension, health and executive compensation matters, balancing compliance with business strategy.

“Employee benefits and executive compensation issues are deeply tied to both business strategy and employee well-being,” Gretchen said. “I’m excited to lead our firm in helping clients design forward-looking programs that align compliance with competitive advantage.”

About Cohen & Buckmann: Top-Ranked Employee Benefits Lawyers, Best Law Firms ®, Legal 500 ®

Cohen & Buckmann is an employee benefits and executive compensation focused boutique law firm, handling some of the most complex areas of law related to executive compensation, employee benefits, which includes high-stakes business transactions that hinge on how key executive compensation and benefits issues are handled. Because these matters can be legally intricate, Cohen & Buckmann lawyers work seamlessly with other corporate counsel, tax advisors and investment professionals to develop and implement strategies that align with the business purpose and support long-term success. These matters often cover topics like ERISA, health and welfare plans, 401(k) plans and other qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, mergers & acquisitions, and cross-border employment matters. The Firm also advises investment advisers on regulatory matters, as well as their fiduciary duties to their clients, including pension plan clients.

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