Cristina Corbo Jennings

Cristina Corbo Jennings is senior counsel with Schmoyer Reinhard LLP.  Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Jennings was in-house counsel for the Valero Companies, listed among Fortune 50 companies and having over 20,000 employees systemwide.  In addition, she was formerly an associate with Hunton & Williams LLP in their ERISA/Employee Benefits section in the Dallas office. 

Ms. Jennings’ practice focuses on advising benefits and other HR professionals on legal matters involving employee benefits, including plan administration and issues relating to ERISA and Internal Revenue Code compliance for retirement, health, and welfare benefits.  With over eight years of experience with a corporation, Ms. Jennings understands the various considerations employers face on a day-to-day basis and offers a practical approach to support clients in making sound decisions aimed at achieving business objectives while minimizing their legal exposure.  Her practice includes: 

Advising employers with respect to all areas of employee benefits relating to retirement, health and welfare benefits, including administration and operation in compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable federal laws

*Counseling benefit plan committees on fiduciary duties and responsibilities under ERISA

*Representing clients on employment and employee benefit issues in the context of mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions from negotiation and drafting of the agreement through the transition following close

*Assisting plan administrators with employee benefit claims and review procedures, participant appeals, and resolution of subrogation claims

*Drafting and amending plan documents and comprehensive summary plan descriptions for retirement, health, and welfare plans

*Representing plan sponsors in negotiation and review of agreements with third-party administrators and other service providers, including HIPAA business associate agreements

*Assisting self-funded health plans in the implementation and administration of HIPAA Privacy and Security procedures and related compliance efforts

*Representing employers in preparing employment and severance agreements, including compliance with Section 409A 

In addition, Ms. Jennings' prior experience enables her to assist clients with a variety of employment-related issues that may arise on a daily basis in the workplace, including the administration of leave benefits, data privacy obligations, preparation and review of policies and procedures, and drafting general employee communications. 

During law school, Ms. Jennings served as an intern for the Honorable James A. Baker, Texas Supreme Court, and as a staff member of the St. Mary's Law Journal.