Helana A. Darrow

Partner

Helana is experienced counseling employers and advisors on all aspects of employee benefit matters, from retirement and executive compensation to health and welfare plan matters. She guides clients on the design of retirement, executive, and health and welfare plans. 

She advises on ERISA fiduciary issues and on the day-to-day compliance issues relating to 401(k) plans, profit sharing plans, pension and cash balance plans, 403(b) plans, 457 plans, deferred compensation plans, and health and welfare plans. Her practice also focuses on ERISA litigation, and she regularly counsels clients on complying with employee benefit plans under ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, PHSA, and the Internal Revenue Code. 

Credentials

Education

University of Cincinnati College of Law (J.D., 1998)

Morehead State University (B.A., 1994)

Bar admissions

  • Ohio

Distinctions

  • Cincinnati Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Best Lawyers®
    • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2024)

Publications
  • September 16, 2021

    Tax and Employee Benefits Reform: House Committee on Ways and Means Submits Proposals

News
  • August 21, 2025

    260 Dinsmore Attorneys Listed as 2026 Best Lawyers®, Ones to Watch

  • August 15, 2024

    250+ Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2025 Best Lawyers ®, Ones to Watch

  • June 5, 2024

    Dinsmore Corporate Team Advises on Eastern Ohio Bank Merger of Equals

  • August 17, 2023

    200+ Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2024 Best Lawyers®, “Ones to Watch”

  • March 30, 2023

    Dinsmore’s Corporate Team Closes Two Substantial Deals for Clients in March

  • January 19, 2021

    Employee Benefits Partner Helana Darrow Returns to Dinsmore as COVID-19 Complicates Benefits Packages Nationwide