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Mary Turk-Meena

Partner
Charlotte
+1.704.331.7590
Fax +1.704.353.3290

Primary Practice

Secondary Practices

Education

  • J.D., Temple University Beasley School of Law, 1979
  • B.M., Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music, 1974, (with honors)

Admissions

  • Bar of New York
  • Bar of North Carolina
  • Bar of Ohio (Inactive)
  • Bar of Pennsylvania (Inactive)
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
  • Biography Overview
  • Additional Background
  • Representative Work
Ms. Turk-Meena is a partner in the Charlotte office and has extensive experience advising companies with respect to the design, implementation and administration of qualified and nonqualified retirement plans and welfare benefit plans. This includes advice and counsel on interpreting and applying the qualification and other requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and plan governance and other requirements of ERISA as they relate to all types of employee benefit plans. She is also experienced in conducting plan audits and correcting plan qualification defects, including submissions to the Internal Revenue Service under its voluntary correction programs.

In addition, Ms. Turk-Meena has significant experience working with health plans regarding compliance with tax, PPACA, ERISA and HIPAA requirements, including related programs such as cafeteria plans, flexible spending arrangements and health savings accounts, as well as negotiating and advising on vendor contracts. She also advises clients regarding deferred compensation and other executive benefit arrangements under Section 409A. Ms. Turk-Meena also works with clients to address employee benefits aspects of corporate acquisitions, dispositions, mergers and bankruptcies.

Professional Background

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Turk-Meena was a principal with a large professional-services firm and was with an international law firm. She has also served as in-house counsel with two major U.S. banks, advising their retirement plan trust and investment management areas.

Achievements

  • Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits Law, 2009 - 2012

Professional/Civic Activities

  • The Charlotte Museum of History (Board of Trustees)
  • The North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Human Resources Policy Committee (Member)
  • Frequent Lecturer on employee benefit-related topics at continuing legal education programs and other seminars
  • Crestdale Middle School, Former PTA Board Member
  • Junior Achievement of the Carolinas, Volunteer Teacher
  • Mint Museum of Art, Former Board Member

Speaking Engagements

  • “ERISA Compliance for Health & Welfare Plan,” speaker for Employee Benefits Institute of America, October and November 2008
  • "ERISA for Rookies," speaker for national webcast sponsored by the Employee Benefits Institute of America, May 2008
  • "Employee Benefits Issues Arising in Transactions," CLE presentation with Michel Vanesse, February 2007
  • Advised companies regarding group health plan changes to comply with federal Health Care Reform.
  • Advised publicly held companies in connection with defined benefit plan freezes and enhancements of defined contribution plans.
  • Implemented a deferred compensation program for a private company's top executives, including program design and documentation, meetings with top executives to describe the program, evaluation of investment options, implementation of a related funding arrangement and assistance in administrative matters.
  • Advised companies on implementation of consumer-driven health plans, including, provider selection and contracting, coordination of administration with third-party providers, plan documentation and employee communications.
  • Supervised a compliance review of a public company's corporate-wide 401(k) plan, including identifying operational defects and design of internal administrative procedures to enhance effectiveness of plan administration.
  • Redesigned employee benefit plans affected by change in corporate structure, including advice regarding impact of change in structure to existing plans and design, implementation and documentation of new structure.
  • Advised company on vendor search for 401(k) plan, including fiduciary duties, plan documentation, participant communications and investment selection.
  • Advised publicly-held company with regard to the integration of non-qualified, qualified and welfare plans of several acquired companies, including consolidation, documentation and administration.
  • Advised a large publicly-held company with regard to plan governance issues, including ERISA requirements and implementation of appropriate governance procedures.
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