The ERISA Group is a boutique Employee Benefits, ERISA, and Executive Compensation law firm based in San Francisco, California. Founded by Bianca Zahrai, the firm provides sophisticated, practical legal counsel to employers, fiduciaries, executives, and plan participants navigating today’s complex benefits landscape.

With more than 20 years of experience in regulatory compliance, fiduciary governance, and benefits administration, Ms. Zahrai brings a rare combination of government, in-house, and private practice insight to every client engagement. Her practice is grounded in a deep understanding of ERISA Title I, fiduciary responsibility, and the real-world challenges faced by plan sponsors and administrators.

We believe effective employee benefits and executive compensation counsel requires more than technical knowledge. It requires strategic thinking, operational awareness, and a clear understanding of regulatory expectations.

Our firm works closely with clients to:

• Reduce fiduciary and compliance risk
   
• Strengthen plan governance
   
• Improve administrative practices
   
• Anticipate regulatory scrutiny
   
• Resolve issues before they become liabilities
   

We serve as trusted advisors, helping clients make informed decisions that protect both their organizations and their leadership.

We advise on all aspects of qualified retirement plans, including:

• Defined benefit and cash balance plans
   
• 401(k), 403(b), and profit-sharing plans
   
• Money purchase and thrift plans
   
• Taft-Hartley and multiemployer plans
   
• Plan design, amendments, and terminations
   
• Operational and nondiscrimination compliance
   

Our health and welfare practice includes guidance on:

• HIPAA, COBRA, ARRA, and ACA compliance
   
• Mental Health Parity requirements
   
• Transparency and disclosure rules
   
• Vendor and administrator oversight
   
• Participant communications and claims
   

We help fiduciaries meet their duties through:

• Committee formation and charters
   
• Investment policy development
   
• Fee and vendor benchmarking
   
• Conflict-of-interest reviews
   
• Fiduciary training programs
   
• Documentation and risk management
   

We counsel employers and executives on:

• Nonqualified deferred compensation
   
• Incentive and bonus plans
   
• Equity-based compensation
   
• Severance and change-in-control agreements
   
• Internal Revenue Code Sections 409A and 280G compliance
   

We assist clients with:

• DOL and IRS audits and investigations
   
• Voluntary correction programs
   
• Operational failure remediation
   
• Prohibited transaction issues
   
• Delinquent filing corrections
   

We also represent individuals by:

• Assisting with locating lost retirement accounts
   
• Resolving benefit and coverage disputes
   
• Preparing and reviewing QDROs
   
• Advocating in claims and appeals
   

Clients choose The ERISA Group for:

• Deep regulatory and audit experience
   
• Practical, business-focused advice
   
• Personalized partner-level attention
   
• Strong fiduciary governance expertise
   
• Proven success in high-risk compliance matters
   

As a boutique firm, we provide the responsiveness and flexibility of a small practice with the sophistication and depth of a large firm.

Our mission is to help employers, fiduciaries, and executives build compliant, well-governed, and sustainable benefits programs. We are committed to delivering clear guidance, proactive risk management, and strategic solutions that support our clients’ long-term success.