Overview

Kara’s practice is focused in the areas of Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation. In a highly technical and complex area of law, Kara is able to break down and clearly explain complicated issues to employers. She represents public, private, governmental and non-profit employers in designing and documenting retirement plans, welfare benefit plans, fringe benefit plans and executive compensation plans. 

Areas of Focus

Credentials

Recognition

  • Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Young Guns (2024)
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation (2021-2024)
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2021-2024)
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers, Rising Stars (2020-2023)
  • Staff Member and Contributing Editor, North Carolina Law Review, 2010-2012

Education

  • University of North Carolina School of Law, high honors, J.D., 2012
    • Order of the Coif
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with distinction, B.A. in Political Science, 2009
    • Phi Beta Kappa

Affiliations

  • Food Runners Collaborative
    • Board Member (2017-2023)
    • Secretary, 2019
  • Board Member, Raleigh Kiwanis Foundation, 2016-2018
  • President, Triangle Benefits Forum, 2016-2019
  • North Carolina Bar Association, Membership Committee, 2017-Present
    • YLD Community Relations Committee, 2016-2017
  • Wake County Bar Association 

Experience

  • Represented a Nasdaq-listed bank holding company with employee benefits matters related to its assumption of all customer deposits and certain other liabilities, and acquisition of substantially all loans and certain other assets, of a bridge bank, as successor to the failed bank subsidiary of a Nasdaq-listed bank holding company, from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as receiver for the bridge bank.
  • Advised a multistate skilled nursing, home care, and I/DD company with employee benefits-related matters in its definitive agreement to acquire the largest home care company in Rhode Island.
  • Represented a North Carolina bank and its parent with respect to the employee benefits aspects of an approximately $220 million merger with another bank.
  • Advised a life sciences company with employee benefits-related matters in its acquisition of a clinical manufacturing facility for an undisclosed amount.
  • Advised a private equity fund and its contract research solutions portfolio company in employee benefits matters related to their acquisition of a statistical programming, consulting, and data management company.
  • Advised a life sciences company on its acquisition of a clinical manufacturing facility for an undisclosed amount.
  • Advised a company specializing in video game and software development on employee benefits matters related to the definitive agreement to acquire a company that developed a presence-based social networking platform connecting users online through live video on mobile and desktop apps.
  • Advised a provider of services to people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities on employee benefits matters related to the acquisition of another provider of support and services to help individuals with developmental and physical disabilities.
  • Amending and restating qualified retirement plans to comply with the Pension Protection Act and other changes in the law.
  • Advising employers regarding designing and administering benefits plans in compliance with the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA.
  • Drafting and revising health and welfare plan documents and summary plan descriptions.
  • Assisting employers with identifying and correcting plan errors through DOL and IRS compliance programs.
  • Reviewing and amending executive compensation arrangements.
  • Advised a leading CRO in Asia on the employee benefits aspects of its acquisition of CRO assets in the United States.
  • Advised a publicly-traded health information technologies and clinical research company on the employee benefits aspects of its sale of a consulting line of business.
  • Advised a private equity fund on the employee benefits aspects of its acquisition of a specialty pharmaceutical company.
  • Advised a leading contract research organization in a definitive agreement to acquire a provider of contract research, clinical and regulatory and other consulting services. Advised specifically on benefits reps, warranties and covenants, conducted due diligence and helped the company navigate integration issues.

  • Advised a closely held company, a leading provider of tailored operational, training and technical solutions in support of national security missions, in the sale of its business.

Insights

News

Publications & Alerts

Events & Programming

  • Co-Presenter, "When the Dealin's Done: Benefits Integration Following M&A Transactions," Smith Anderson's 32nd Annual Employment Law Update, Cary, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "SECURE 2.0 - Major Changes to Employer Retirement Plan Landscape," Smith Anderson's 31st Annual Employment Law Update, Cary, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Secure Act 2.0 - Update," Triangle Benefits Forum, Raleigh, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Secure Act 2.0," Triangle Benefits Forum, Raleigh, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Employee Benefit Plan Hot Topics: What Employers Want to Know," Smith Anderson's 30th Annual Employment Law Update, Virtual
    Speaking Engagement
  • Co-Presenter, "Managing Retirement Plan Risk: Fiduciary Duties and Litigation Trends," Smith Anderson 29th Annual Employment Law Update, Virtual
    Speaking Engagement
  • Co-Presenter, "COVID-19 Employee Benefits Issues," Triangle Benefits Forum, Raleigh, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Co-Presenter, "The Ins and Outs of Fiduciary Duties – Limiting Your Exposure," First Citizens Bank Retirement Plan Education Series, Virtual
    Speaking Engagement
  • Co-Presenter, "Employee Benefits Updates in CAA and ARPA," Triangle Benefits Forum, Raleigh, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Co-Presenter, "Fix-It Guide: Identifying and Correcting Common Retirement Plan Errors," webinar in partnership with CAPTRUST
    Speaking Engagement
  • Co-Presenter, "Supporting Employees and Reducing Costs: Employee Benefits in a Pandemic,” Smith Anderson 28th Annual Employment Law Update, Virtual
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Identifying and Correcting Common Retirement Plan Errors," VACO CPE Series, Durham, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Co-Panelist, "Panel Discussion - Hot Topics in Employment Law," Smith Anderson 27th Annual Employment Law Update, Cary, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Identifying and Correcting Common Retirement Plan Errors," Triangle Benefits Forum, Raleigh, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Co-Presenter, "Benefits in Mergers & Acquisitions for the HR Generalist: The Real Deal,” Smith Anderson 26th Annual Employment Law Update, Cary, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Employee Benefit Plan Issues in M&A," Triangle Benefits Forum, Raleigh, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "DOL and IRS Audits - What to Expect and How to Prepare," Triangle Benefits Forum, Raleigh, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "DOL and IRS Audits - What to Expect and How to Prepare," 2017 Employment Law Update, Cary, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "DOL and IRS Audits - What to Expect and How to Prepare," 2017 Employment Law Update, Cary, N.C.
    Event
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