John R. Hickman

John R. Hickman

Atlanta, GA recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2001
Alston & Bird LLP

266 Best Lawyers awards

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Awarded Practice Areas

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

Biography

John Hickman is head of the firm’s Health Benefits Practice, where he leads several attorneys devoted exclusively to health care reform issues under the Affordable Care Act, HIPAA privacy, health savings accounts (HSAs) and consumer-directed health care, flexible benefit plans and related health benefit issues. Mr. Hickman has worked closely with health plans, financial institutions and employers, as well as the IRS, Treasury and DOL, in addressing health benefit issues.

Mr. Hickman has been inducted into the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White) and Who's Who Legal. The Best Lawyers in America named him a 2016 "Lawyer of the Year" in the area of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Mr. Hickman has lectured widely and published articles on health care reform, ERISA and cafeteria plan issues. He is co-author of the following health benefit treatises: Cafeteria Plans Manual, Health Care Reform, HIPAA Portability and Privacy and Consumer-Driven Health Care (published by Thomson/Reuters/EBIA). Mr. Hickman is head of the Technical Advisory Committee and is on the board of the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation (ECFC). Mr. Hickman was also an adjunct professor of law at Emory University School of Law.

Alston & Bird LLP

266 Best Lawyers awards

Alston & Bird LLP logo

Overview

  • Emory University, JD, graduated 1989
  • Florida Atlantic University, BA, graduated 1989

  • Georgia, State Bar of Georgia

  • American College of Employee Benefits Counsel - Fellow
  • Georgia, State Bar of Georgia
  • American College of Employee Benefits Counsel - Fellow
  • Emory University, JD, graduated 1989
  • Florida Atlantic University, BA, graduated 1989

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Atlanta (2025)
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Atlanta (2016)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Special Focus:
  • COVID-19

Additional Information

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Case History

Cases
  • Experience
  • Counsel to major insurers regarding health benefits and HIPAA privacy issues.
  • Counsel to financial institutions and card associations regarding health benefits issues.
  • Chair of the Benefits Trade Association technical advisory committee.

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