Thorp Reed & Armstrong Announces Kristen Belz Ornato as New Senior Counsel in Business Practice Group

Business Wire, Dec 11, 2007

PITTSBURGH -- Thorp Reed & Armstrong, LLP is pleased to announce that Kristen Belz Ornato has joined the firm as a Senior Counsel in the firm's Business Practice Group.

Ms. Belz Ornato's practice focuses on the area of employee benefits. Her experience includes advising clients on a variety of compliance and administration issues related to health and welfare plans; assisting clients with complex employee benefit litigation matters; advising clients on plan design and documentation, plan administration and related fiduciary issues; counseling clients in Title IV compliance and withdrawal liability claims; and representing clients before various state and federal agencies.

Prior to joining Thorp Reed & Armstrong, Ms. Belz Ornato worked at two international law firms, one in Pittsburgh and one in Washington, D.C. She began her legal career at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation where she advised the agency on all aspects of its program.

"I am pleased to welcome Kristen to Thorp Reed and our Business Practice Group," said James K. Goldberg, Business Practice Group Chair of Thorp Reed & Armstrong, LLP. "As our clients continue to navigate an ever changing employee benefits environment, they look to us for counsel and direction. Kristen's professional experience in this area is a valuable addition and asset to our Business Practice Group."

Ms. Belz Ornato holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the Washington College of Law at the American University. She is active in her local community and provides counsel on a variety of pro bono matters.

About Thorp Reed & Armstrong

Since 1895, Thorp Reed & Armstrong, LLP has been a premier Pittsburgh-based law firm, which has grown to include additional offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Princeton, New Jersey, and Wheeling, West Virginia. Earning the respect, trust and appreciation of clients, peers, and those who live in our communities, Thorp Reed & Armstrong attorneys have gained a reputation as lawyers who exemplify the profession's best qualities. The firm supports a wide variety of clients' needs within the practice areas of business law, litigation, and corporate finance.

For more information on Thorp Reed & Armstrong, call 412-394-7711 or visit www.thorpreed.com.