Karen N. Brandon

Qualified Plans – provide advice on design, administration, tax compliance including correction, amendment, investment, claims decisions, fiduciary liability, merger, spin-off and termination of profit sharing, 401(k), pension, money purchase, stock bonus, cash balance and 403(b) plans.

Non-Qualified Plans – provide advice on the design, amendment, investment, termination, and tax compliance including correction of deferred compensation, incentive, equity, SERP, excess benefit, employment, separation, severance and 457 plans.

Multiemployer Plans – provide advice on the design, amendment, merger, termination, investment, administration, tax compliance, claims decisions, fiduciary liability, and withdrawal liability under multiemployer pension and health and welfare plans.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) – provide advice on the design, amendment, investment, administration, tax compliance and termination of ESOPs, including financing options and valuations.

Health and Welfare Plans – provide advice on the design, administration, amendment, tax compliance, investment and termination, including advice on claims, health care reform and HIPAA privacy for medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability, cafeteria, health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) and fringe benefit plans.

Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs) – provide advice on the design, administration, amendment, tax compliance, ERISA and state law compliance, and investment of MEWAs.

Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Associations (VEBAs) – provide advice on the design, amendment, funding, investment, administration, tax compliance and termination of VEBAs, including those created as spin-offs from defined benefit pension plans.

Education

• J.D., American University, 1999
• M.B.A., summa cum laude, Finance, University of District of Columbia, 1992
• B.S., magna cum laude, Justice and Law, Western Connecticut State University, 1987

Admission to Practice

• District of Columbia
• Maryland
• U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
• New Jersey
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
• Illinois

• American Bar Association (Taxation Section, Subcommittees on 401(k) Plans, Self-Correction and Pension Legislation)
• Maryland State Bar Association
• District of Columbia Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association

• Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Chicken Soup for Retirement Plans—Part Two: Digesting Distributions” – January 20, 2023
• Employee Benefits Symposium – “Multiple Plans: Managing Employer Participation in Multiemployer Plans” – March 12, 2021
• American Bar Association, Joint Committee on Employee Benefits, ERISA Basics Seminar – “Determination Letters and EPCRS” and “QDROs, QMCSOs and Spousal Rights” – Chicago – October 18, 2013
• Illinois Chamber of Commerce Webinar – “Raising Your Fiduciary IQ” – June 21, 2012

• July 2017 – AHLA’s Connections – “Has the IRS Made It Any Better for Deferred Compensation Plans of Tax-Exempt and Governmental Entities?”
• January 7, 2015 – SHRM.org – “Mandatory Retirement Savings Program Begins in Illinois”
• 2012 – American Chamber of Commerce – Employee Benefits: An Employer’s Guide – “Fiduciary Duties under ERISA”

• March 2013 – Inside Counsel – “Court Denies Contraception Coverage Injunction”
• July 2, 2012 – Law360 – “Employers Must Hurry To Disclose Retirement Plan Fees”

• Illinois Super Lawyer*

* No aspect of this communication has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. For methodology for selection for one of the honors above, please click on the link.