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Thompson Hine LLP, a full-service business law firm with approximately 400 lawyers in 8 offices, was ranked number 1 in the category “Most innovative North American law firms: New working models” by The Financial Times and was 1 of 7 firms shortlisted for The American Lawyer’s inaugural Legal Services Innovation Award. The firm has been recognized by the National Law Journal as a Legal Technology Trailblazer and featured by Bloomberg for its innovative service delivery models, which drive accuracy and predictability. The firm’s commitment to innovation is embodied in Thompson Hine SmartPaTHTM – a smarter way to work – predictable, efficient and aligned with client goals. For more information, please visit ThompsonHine.com and ThompsonHine.com/SmartPaTH.

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Shira is a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits &amp; Executive Compensation group. Her practice focuses on advising employers and plan sponsors on complex issues involving group health plans, health insurance coverage and regulatory compliance. She provides practical guidance on statutory and regulatory requirements under the Affordable Care Act, Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, No Surprises Act and other federal mandates affecting health and welfare benefits.

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Before entering private practice, Shira served as Special Counsel with the Internal Revenue Service’s Office of Chief Counsel, Health and Welfare Branch. In that role, she collaborated with the Departments of Labor, Treasury and Health and Human Services on regulatory matters, drafted agency guidance and supported federal litigation involving employee benefits laws.

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The University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 1997

Stanford University, B.A., 1994

ERISA Litigation & Compliance

Decoding DOL’s 2026 Enforcement Strategy for Plan Sponsors and Service Providers

Thompson Hine Expands Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Practice Nationally with Seven New Attorneys

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation

Counsel

Shira McKinlay

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/insights/decoding-dols-2026-enforcement-strategy-for-plan-sponsors-and-service-providers/">“Decoding DOL’s 2026 Enforcement Strategy for Plan Sponsors and Service Providers,” Thompson Hine <em>Employee Benefits Update</em>, January 2026</a></li>
</ul>


Publications

<ul>
<li>“Summary of Recent Legal Changes,” American Bar Association, Dallas, TX (October 2022); San Diego, CA (February 2023); Washington, D.C. (May 2023, May 2024); San Francisco (January 2024); TE/GE Council (February 2023, February 2024)</li>
<li>“HIPAA Training Basics,” training webinars for privacy/security officers and human resources employees (2015 – 2021)</li>
</ul>
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ShiraMcKinlay

ShiraMcKinlay

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