Member Spotlight: Gretchen Russell

What is your practice area and passion in the legal field?
For the past 10 years, I have been in an area called ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act). It marries IRS and DOL regulations to tell employers what they can and cannot do with their retirement and health and welfare benefit plans in order to maintain tax qualified status, etc. I work in the retirement and executive compensations space within and adjacent to ERISA. I love what I do because I get to make employers’ lives simpler by explaining a complex area of law in a way c-suites and human resource professionals can understand, enabling them to make the best decisions for their business and employees. 

What is your involvement with IndyBar?
I joined the IndyBar last year because I wanted to get more involved in the legal community in and around Indy. I am most active as a Labor Employment Law Executive Committee member and am a member of  the Women and the Law Division, too. 

What is something you're recently proud of?
I’m proud of my recent admittance to the Indiana (and Illinois) bar. I was admitted to Missouri in 2013 and, after spending an extended about of time in corporate America doing compliance and consulting work, I had to take the bar again in order to be able to practice in Indiana, which I did all while working full time. I’m now licensed in Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois.  

What are you involved with outside of law?
I’m a runner and a member of the Carmel Run Club. I also occasionally serve as a coach and volunteer for Girls on the Run. 

How do you like to unwind and relax?
Spending time with friends and family, running, time in nature, and with Peloton yoga and cycling classes