Cynthia Christie is a member of the firm's Employee Benefits and Compensation Group and focuses her practice on advising private and public sector employers with respect to qualified and nonqualified retirement plans. She counsels clients regarding issues arising from the creation and administration of employee benefits plans, including cash balance plans, profit-sharing plans, employee stock ownership plans, and nonqualified deferred compensation plans.
Ms. Christie assists clients with all aspects of plan design and administration, from initial design and drafting of a plan to calculation of service and benefits to plan termination. She advises clients as to the impact of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and other governing laws on the design and operation of retirement plans and assists clients in interpreting plan terms with respect to plan administration and benefits determinations. Ms. Christie also provides clients with advice on plan compliance and correction issues and has extensive experience in correcting plan failures, both informally and through the correction programs sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor.
Professional Associations
- Worldwide Employee Benefits Network, Hartford Chapter, 2009 to present, Programming Chair of Steering Committee
- American Bar Association, Taxation Section, Employee Benefits Committee; Labor and Employment Law Section
- Connecticut Bar Association
Honors and Awards
- Listed as a Rising Star in Connecticut Super Lawyers® in the area of Employee Benefits/ERISA Law since 2009 (Super Lawyers is a registered trademark of Key Professional Media, Inc.)
Experience
- Analyzed on-site medical clinic operated by a NYSE publicly traded laboratory analytical instrument and software company to determine applicability of ERISA.
- Advised plan sponsor regarding consolidation of sponsor's multiple welfare benefit plans and cafeteria plan into a single "wrap plan" and drafted document for new plan.
- Counseled plan sponsor concerning design and operation of its retiree medical program, including drafting of plan documents.
- Representation of a construction materials company concerning the sale of its asphalt paving and construction contracting business in Michigan and Indiana.
- Represented a multinational employer with respect to all of the employee benefits it offers to its employees.
- Assisted a health care organization in reviewing its defined contribution plans for compliance with statutory requirements, developed correction strategies, and obtained approval of corrections through governmental correction programs.
- Assisted large Connecticut-based hospital with complex RFP process involving a search for a retirement plan service provider and negotiation of a favorable administrative agreement.
Publications & Presentations
Presentations
- "Government-Defined Contribution Roundtable" (6/9/2010) presented at Fiduciary Investment Advisors' 2010 Client Conference
News
12.16.10, Robinson & Cole Elevates Six New Counsel
6.17.10, Robinson & Cole Attorney Speaks at Fiduciary Investment Advisors' Client Conference
9.11.09, Robinson & Cole Attorneys Coauthor Article on 401(k) Plans for the Journal of Retirement Planning