About Elizabeth
Elizabeth Hopkins: ERISA Litigation Expert Protecting Your Employee Benefits
Elizabeth Hopkins is a senior partner at Kantor & Kantor, where she is passionately dedicated to safeguarding the rights of individuals who have been unfairly denied their earned employee benefits. With a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades, Ms. Hopkins brings unparalleled expertise in ERISA litigation, having previously led the ERISA appellate and amicus program at the United States Department of Labor. Her deep understanding of complex ERISA regulations, coupled with a strategic and creative approach to advocacy, makes her a formidable legal counsel for those facing benefit denials.
Prior to joining Kantor & Kantor in 2018, Ms. Hopkins spearheaded nationwide litigation focused on advancing the interests of workers and their families concerning pension, healthcare, and disability benefits. For over 20 years, from 2002 to 2017, she oversaw a sophisticated program that filed over 100 friend-of-the-court and party briefs and presented arguments in federal courts of appeals across the country. Her work extended beyond litigation, including formulating departmental positions and briefing ERISA issues for the Supreme Court – a rare opportunity to contribute to landmark cases shaping the landscape of employee benefit law. She was instrumental in navigating a multitude of regulatory issues and court challenges related to ERISA and the Affordable Care Act regulations, demonstrating her thorough understanding of the ever-evolving legal environment.
During her tenure at the Department of Labor, Ms. Hopkins was a consistently sought-after speaker at ERISA conferences and bar-sponsored events, sharing her profound knowledge and skills through numerous classes on ERISA topics and brief writing. Recognized for her exceptional abilities, she received numerous awards for her impactful work on particular projects and cases, including one of the first prestigious annual awards for brief writing – a testament to her meticulous attention to detail and persuasive writing style. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ms. Hopkins is motivated by a genuine desire to help others and fight for justice, a commitment that drives her dedication to her clients at Kantor & Kantor.
Ms. Hopkins’ extensive background extends beyond the courtroom. She is an active member of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, where she has served as a judge on their annual writing competition, evaluating and assessing the quality of legal briefs. She is also a contributing writer and editor for the American Bar Association’s *Employee Benefits Law* publication, and has recently been appointed to serve on the Board of Senior Editors for this highly respected legal resource. Her commitment to the legal community is further evidenced by her long-standing volunteer involvement with a diverse range of organizations, including the Special Olympics, a homeless shelter, the Red Cross, and an after-school program at a Los Angeles public high school. In 2018, she traveled to Dilley, Texas, to represent detained migrant women and their children claiming asylum – a deeply impactful experience that underscores her compassion and dedication to social justice. Currently, she volunteers her time as a teacher with Classrooms Without Walls, further demonstrating her commitment to education and community engagement.
Ms. Hopkins is particularly excited to leverage her substantial skill and experience at Kantor & Kantor to represent clients with ERISA claims. She specializes in protecting clients who have been denied pension, healthcare, disability, and life insurance benefits. Her expertise allows her to aggressively pursue claims and ensure that individuals receive the benefits they are rightfully entitled to.
Practice Areas:
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- Litigation – ERISA
Awards:
- Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2024
- Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2024
Affiliations:
- American College of Employee Benefits Counsel
- American Bar Association
City: Northridge, State: California, Country: United States
