Elizabeth’s prior experience as in-house counsel gives her a welcome perspective on what it’s like for clients to manage employee benefit plans and negotiate vendor contracts for benefits services in a highly regulated and competitive environment.
Overview
Elizabeth advises clients on employee benefits matters, including 401(k), pension and profit sharing plans as well as executive compensation arrangements. She has experience both in-house and as an outside legal advisor, assisting clients with fiduciary compliance and the myriad of rules that govern plans and reporting for private, governmental and tax-exempt employers.
As employee benefits counsel, Elizabeth advises clients on the requirements of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. She assists employers with resolving plan compliance errors, working through available IRS and DOL correction programs and also negotiates on behalf of clients with the IRS and Department of Labor to correct plan errors.
Experience
Elizabeth negotiates vendor contracts for employee benefit services for her clients, and keeps them up-to-date on the best practices regarding terms and conditions.
Elizabeth has advised clients on the creation and operation of equity- based compensation arrangements. She also counsels clients on compliance with Code Section 409A and other issues arising in executive employment agreements and deferred compensation plans.
While at J.P. Morgan Retirement Plan Services, Elizabeth advised the sales division and client relationship managers. She negotiated complex client service agreements, which informs her current work with employers as they negotiate and review contracts.
When she was in-house at Hallmark, Elizabeth counseled internal clients on ERISA and all other aspects of employee benefits matters, including fiduciary issues, 401(k) plans and health and welfare plans. She worked closely with HR regarding the application of employee benefits laws to employment matters and disputes.
Elizabeth has considerable experience with employee benefits issues arising in the context of mergers and acquisitions.
Recognitions
Recognitions
Rated Top Rated - AV® Preeminent™ Lawyers by Martindale-Hubbell
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
The Missouri Bar
American Bar Association
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Missouri, 1994
Education
Drake University, J.D., 1994
- Order of the Coif
- Drake Law Review, Staff Member, 1992-93
- Drake Law Review, Notes Editor, 1993-94
University of Iowa, B.A., 1991