Trained in the legal field as an Employee Benefits Paralegal/ESOP Consultant with a passion for ERISA, retirement plans and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP). Motivated to help clients with each stage of an ESOP and meet them where they are in the process. Experience with setting up the ESOP, ongoing compliance and ending the journey of the ESOP that is ready for termination and distribution. Energized when interacting with clients and others about new legal changes, better ways to organize and problem solve. Seek reasonable solutions with a strong commitment to producing quality and timely work product. Experienced ability to organize and multi-task in a fast-paced work environment. Years of experience utilizing the IRS and DOL compliance programs (VCP and DFVCO requests). Familiar with compliance tests including IRC 401(a) general nondiscrimination, ADP/ACP, 410(b) coverage, 416 top heavy tests and 409(p) tests. Flexibility to work additional hours during peak activity months to meet deadlines. Excellent communication skills, written, verbal and in-person.

1. Carrie A. Roberts
Chicago, IL 60613
312-401-8901
CarrieRobertsRivera@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-roberts-rivera-cebs-5332443/Twitter
Employee Benefits Paralegal and ESOP Consultant Overview:
Trained in the legal field as an Employee Benefits Paralegal/ESOP Consultant with a passion for ERISA,
retirement plans and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP). Motivated to help clients with each stage of an
ESOP and meet them where they are in the process. Experience with setting up the ESOP, ongoing compliance
and ending the journey of the ESOP that is ready for termination and distribution. Energized when interacting
with clients and others about new legal changes, better ways to organize and problem solve. Seek reasonable
solutions with a strong commitment to producing quality and timely work product. Experienced ability to organize
and multi-task in a fast-paced work environment. Years of experience utilizing the IRS and DOL compliance
programs (VCP and DFVCO requests). Familiar with compliance tests including IRC 401(a) general
nondiscrimination, ADP/ACP, 410(b) coverage, 416 top heavy tests and 409(p) tests. Flexibility to work
additional hours during peak activity months to meet deadlines. Excellent communication skills, written, verbal
and in-person.
Qualification Brief:
 Talented project manager with proven ability to communicate among advisors, CPAs, and attorneys
regarding the operation of plans
 Extensive knowledge on legislative regulations of defined contribution plans, published client alerts and
speaker presentations for clients and peers
 Responsible for client plans, act as a resource for technical issues in the legal field including ESOP and
401(k) plans
 Detail oriented and supportive resource for several clients, providing analytical support for attorneys on
multiple tasks and others in a consulting compacity
 Highly effective collaborator within all levels and departments of the organization
 Motivated client engagement, effective and clear communicator with a dedicated and smart work ethic
 Areas of subject matter expertise: employee benefits, qualified plans, ESOP/KSOPs, 401(k) plans,
defined contribution plans, defined benefit plans, cash balance plans
 Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word and PowerPoint); experience
with Relius
Professional Experience:
Holland & Knight LLP – Chicago, IL September 2018 – Present
ESOP and Employee Benefits Paralegal
 Outlined plan reviews for ESOP deals regarding plan detail and administration, as needed by the
lender/bank
 Collaborated with ESOP team and practice group in all aspects of the corporate deal process to establish
an ESOP, refinance an ESOP loan or sell an ESOP
 Composed over 10 determination letter applications for newly established ESOPs and terminating
ESOPs, and responded to the IRS agents’ information requests as needed
 Updated ESOPs, 401(k) plans and KSOPs as needed for legal changes
 Advised clients and ESOP team and communicated clearly technical changes, including presentation
webinar and client alerts (loans, hardships, design preferences, claims review procedures, SECURE Act
and CARE Act)

2.  Designed summary plan descriptions (SPD) and summary of material modifications (SMM)
 Prepared and filed submissions under the IRS’s Voluntary Compliance Program (VCP) and engaged the
implementation and utilization of options under the Self-Correction Program (SCP)
 Collaborated with corporate clients and ESOP trustees regarding results of qualified plan transaction
matters following review of documents
 Conducted due diligence and identified issues arising under the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA to
reduce cost of errors and potential fiduciary problems
 Developed procedures for clarification of distributions and technical aspects of the plans to reduce future
research, compliance efforts or inefficiencies
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP – Chicago, IL February 2008 – August 2018
Employee Benefits Paralegal
 Interacted with clients to address various questions and concerns, specifically for ESOPs, pension plans
(defined benefit), 401(k) plans and other defined contribution plans
 Acted as subject matter expert, consultant and backstop for qualified plans and related compliance
issues, including write client alerts on IRS and Department of Labor compliance programs
 Amended and restated qualified plan documents for legal changes and optional changes that would best
benefit companies and their employees
 Facilitated defined benefit and defined contribution plan terminations, including coordinating all
communications and projects among clients, actuaries, consultants and attorneys, and preparing IRS and
PBGC filings and participant notices
 Attended client quarterly qualified plan administration and investment committee meetings concerning
fiduciary duty, review of investment performance and goals of each 401(k) plan fund, design of
employee and executive plan and compensation
 Established organized electronic database for several clients creating ease of document location and
sharing of information during review of contracts and amendment of plans
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP – Chicago, IL November 1996 – January 2008
(formerly, Gardner Carton & Douglas LLP and now Faegre Drinker)
Employee Benefits Paralegal
 Acted as consultant and professional advisor for several key clients of the department by organizing and
managing projects among board members, attorneys, consultants, trustees, and actuaries
 Drafted hundreds of summary plan descriptions (SPD), summaries of material modifications (SMM),
plan documents, government filings, IRS Forms 5500, summary annual reports (SAR), IRS
determination letter filings (IRS Forms 5300, 5310, 5307)
 Reviewed domestic relations orders to determine qualified status and prepare client procedure packages
for QDROs, including sample letters, notices, authorizations, and sample QDROs
 Actively participated in the selection and training of paralegals and attorneys
Education:
Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS Program) – Chicago, IL November 2000
o Co-sponsored by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton
School of the University of Pennsylvania
University of Chicago – Chicago, IL June 1996
o BA in Public Policy (with Honors)
Skill Keyword Summary:
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