ERISA PRACTICE
Ms. Connerton began her attorney career as an ERISA litigation attorney with the Department of Labor. After four years, Terry entered into private practice where she represented participants, trustees, fiduciaries, and service providers in prosecuting and/or defending breach of fiduciary duty and prohibited transaction claims under ERISA.
Terry has assisted participants seeking benefits from employee benefit plans, including pension, medical, disability, life insurance and executive compensation plans. As counsel for employee benefit plans, she has represented plans being sued for benefits by participants and assisted plan fidicuaries in seeking reimbursement and subrogation under ERISA.
Over the years, Terry has served as counsel to numerous multiemployer plans assisting the trustees in: (i) the creation, amendment, merger and termination of plans; (ii) the selection and monitoring of service providers and financial advisers; (iii) resolving government investigation and audits; (iv) resolving disputes between labor and management trustees; (v) the review of fiduciary liability, directors and officers liability and general liability insurance policies; (vi) resolving participants' benefit claims; (vii) withdrawal liability disputes with employers; (viii) collecting delinquent contributions from employers; (ix) devising funding plans to resolve funding deficiencies; and (x) other regulatory complaince issues. Terry also advises employers who have obligations to multiemployer plans and are involved in disputes or litigation over delinquent contributions and/or withdrawal liabilities.
She conducts ERISA audits of employee benefit plans for plan sponsors and fiduciaries for a flat fee. These audits identify any deficiencies in plan governance, documentation, and administration and recomends ways to correct those deficiencies and mitigate risks of potential fiduciary liability.
Terry also drafts (or reviews and negotiates) contracts for third party administrators ("TPAs"), financial advisors ("FAs"), custodians, consultants, and other vendors of plan-related services. She drafts (or reviews) disclosures under ERISA §§408(b)(2) and 404(a)(5) on behalf of plan sponsors and service providers.