Former in-house counsel brings experience and fresh perspective

Experience as in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 company, a master's degree in business, and roles in human resources and international law have provided Shannon Goff Kukulka special insight into complex employee benefits issues. Clients appreciate Shannon's in-depth legal knowledge, broad experience, and ability to develop creative, practical and cost-effective solutions to problems that may otherwise lead to penalties or litigation.

Companies across various industries value Shannon's assistance with:

• Retirement plans, including pension, 401(k), profit-sharing and nonqualified plans
• Health and welfare plans, continuation coverage issues and Affordable Care Act Compliance
• Executive compensation arrangements, change in control and "golden parachute" tax issues, and section 409A compliance
• Equity-based compensation arrangements, including stock options, restricted stock, and phantom stock
• Benefit issues in corporate transactions, including M&A, divestitures, financings and restructurings, and 280G analyses
• Benefit matters arising under securities laws
• Collectively bargained plans
• International benefits issues
• ERISA litigation strategy and government audits

Shannon has spoken and provided training on various topics, including:

• Healthcare reform laws and compliance/Affordable Care Act
• Equity incentives/executive compensation
• Corporate governance practices related to benefits and compensation
• Fiduciary obligations and audits
• Electronic compliance/e-strategies
• Best practices in IRS, DOL and PBGC audits
• Benefits due diligence and integration considerations in M&A
• Wellness program compliance, including under HIPAA, the ACA, GINA and ADA
• International benefits issues

Shannon has also authored several articles on healthcare reform, e-strategies, and wellness programs for publications such as Workspan Magazine, Employee Benefit News, ADVANCE for Long-Term Care Management, and Benefits Magazine.