A partner in the firm's Washington D.C. office, Ms. Barker advises clients on the tax and ERISA issues raised by employee benefit plans and executive compensation. Ms. Barker joined Ivins, Phillips & Barker after serving on the staff of the Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives from 1985 to 1991. Her unique experience in this respect has enabled her to develop a thriving Washington practice. She represents clients in their tax controversies before the IRS, most recently involving SERP swaps and deductions for plan contributions, and has assisted clients in raising policy concerns before the Treasury Department, Labor Department, and PBGC. Ms. Barker has also developed extensive experience in designing and drafting executive compensation plans, including SARs, stock option plans, and parachute agreements.
Ms. Barker received her J.D. magna cum laude from Georgetown University (Order of the Coif, Nelson T. Hartson Memorial Award), her A.B. cum laude from Harvard University, and a Master's degree in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Ms. Barker writes and lectures frequently in her field. She is Contributing Editor of the Benefits Law Journal, and a Contributing Author of Guide to Cash Balance Plans (Aspen Publishers, 2003). She is listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward White) and currently serves as Chair of the Employee Benefits Committee (Section of Taxation) of the D.C. Bar.
