Emily Hootkins is an associate in the ERISA Litigation Group. Her practice focuses on litigating employee benefits disputes, and counseling plan sponsors and fiduciaries on regulatory compliance issues and litigation avoidance. Ms. Hootkins has experience litigating various types of ERISA actions, including class actions involving investments in employer securities, benefit terminations, and the anti-cutback rule. Ms. Hootkins also has experience defending against individual ERISA claims involving disability and life insurance.

In addition to her ERISA practice, Ms. Hootkins is committed to providing pro bono legal services. Ms. Hootkins has performed basic estate planning services for multiple pro bono clients through Alston & Bird’s Wills Program. She is a VA Accredited Attorney who is currently assisting several veterans, including the pursuit of a discharge upgrade and claim for waiver of an overpayment. Ms. Hootkins is also currently assisting a client referred by the Georgia Innocence Project in seeking DNA testing and a motion for new trial.

Ms. Hootkins graduated, cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 2011. While at Harvard, she was awarded Dean's Scholar Prizes in bankruptcy and corporate reorganization, evidence, and trusts and estates. She received her B.A. from Emory University in 2008.