Overview
Kara is a trusted advisor to public, private, governmental and non-profit employers on all aspects of employee benefits.
With over a decade of experience and a deep understanding of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and related federal regulations, Kara counsels clients on design, compliance, and administration of qualified retirement plans, health and welfare benefits and deferred compensation arrangements. Recognized for her extensive knowledge and skills, Kara has earned accolades from publications such as Business North Carolina, Chambers USA and more.
Whether helping employers to achieve day-to-day compliance within complex regulatory frameworks or navigate benefits issues in corporate transactions, Kara provides clear, strategic counsel tailored to each client’s business objectives.
Kara regularly advises on:
- 401(k), 403(b), and defined benefit pension plans
- 457 deferred compensation plans
- Health and welfare plans, including Affordable Care Act, COBRA, and HIPAA compliance
- ERISA fiduciary governance and plan corrections (EPCRS, VFCP, and DFVCP)
- Benefits due diligence and integration in mergers and acquisitions
- IRS and DOL audits and investigations
Kara also enjoys being an extension of a client’s internal team by partnering with HR professionals and in-house counsel to ensure legal compliance while managing risk and promoting competitive, compliant benefit programs.
Areas of Focus
Credentials
Recognition
- Chambers USA, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation (2021-2025)
- Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Young Guns (2024-2025)
- 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
- President, Triangle Benefits Forum (2016-2019, 2025-present)
- American Bar Association
- Joint Committee on Employee Benefits, Labor and Employment Law Section
- Women Employee Benefits Attorneys
- American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries
- Raleigh Metro Society for Human Resources Management
- Food Runners Collaborative
- Board Member (2017-2023)
- Secretary (2019)
- Board Member, Raleigh Kiwanis Foundation (2016-2018)
- 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.
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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.
