Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added Briana M. Swift as a shareholder in its Seattle office. She joins the firm from K&L Gates and focuses her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation. Swift is the sixth attorney to join Littler at the shareholder level since the beginning of April.
“As benefits take on greater strategic importance in employee retention efforts, employers are increasingly looking for sophisticated guidance from experienced counsel like Briana,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president. “Her background working with organizations to build and administer plans will add value for our clients looking to do the same in a competitive talent market.”
Swift assists clients with designing, drafting and administering health and welfare plans, tax-qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans, and retirement plans. She also frequently advises employers on tax compliance issues and matters arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Swift’s practice also focuses on assisting clients in the process of mergers or acquisitions on the related benefits and compensation considerations.
“Seattle and the Pacific Northwest are home to everything from dynamic startups to established corporations—many of whom are looking to create employee benefits plans and executive compensation structures that serve their business and talent goals,” said Ryan P. Hammond, office managing shareholder for the firm’s Seattle office. “Briana’s knowledge of the issues and practical approach will be a tremendous asset for employers, and we’re excited to welcome her to the team.”
Earlier in her career, Swift was a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of Labor, where she served as an employee benefits investigator. During this period, she also acted as a visiting attorney with the Appellate Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. In law school, she was a judicial extern for both the Honorable Judge Michael Simon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and the Honorable Judge Mary Murguia of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. During law school, Swift was also a law clerk with the Federal Public Defender's Office for the District of Oregon.
“Littler is well known for providing strategic and holistic guidance to employers on their benefits programs and compensation arrangements for executives,” said Swift. “The firm’s model of providing practical solutions that helps clients meet their overall business goals aligns well with my approach to client service and I am thrilled to join Littler’s deep and talented bench of employee benefits and executive compensation attorneys.”
Swift received her J.D., cum laude, from Lewis & Clark Law School and her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Arizona. She is a member of the Hispanic National Bar Association, where she currently serves as Deputy Region 16 President.
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