Sara J. Van Dyke

Sara J. Van Dyke is a senior ERISA attorney with significant experience providing advice regarding both Taft-Hartley and single-employer benefit plans. Prior to joining Blitman & King in 2025, Sara practiced for ten years at a small union-side law firm in New York City.

Sara advises fiduciaries of Taft-Hartley pension, defined contribution and welfare plans on regulatory compliance, fiduciary matters, plan design and documentation, investments, claims, vendor arrangements, and day-to-day plan administration, including QDRO review. Sara advises Boards of Trustees at regular and special meetings and works with Fund Administrators and other plan professionals to implement Board directives. She has implemented RFPs for service providers, advised regarding regulatory audits, and obtained favorable determination letters, including for real estate holding companies. In addition, Sara advises union entities, businesses and executives on compensation matters such as employment and severance agreements, and restrictive covenants.

Prior to her Taft-Hartley plan experience, Sara practiced for nine years at major law firms in New York City, advising on ERISA, tax, and benefits matters involving broad-based and executive plans, and compensation arrangements representing both employers and executives. Her practice included advice regarding equity incentive arrangements, and compensation and benefits matters in corporate transactions.

Sara was born and raised in Kansas. She enjoys the theater and sports.

SIGNIFICANT REPRESENTATIONS

- Advised the Board of Trustees of a multiemployer welfare plan regarding plan design changes to eligibility and benefits to address projected funding shortfall and worked closely with the Fund Administrator and plan professionals to implement changes.

- Advised a multiemployer 401(k) plan regarding change of recordkeeper, significantly reducing plan expenses, and drafted new plan document and trust agreement.

- Advised Trustee-directed defined contribution plans regarding valuation dates, payment administration issues, and collection of overpayments both before and after SECURE 2.0 restrictions.

- Reviewed defined benefit plan forms in connection with change of plan service provider, including application forms, joint & survivor election and beneficiary designations.

- Advised regarding partnership agreements, including drafting a professional services partnership agreement, and advising a partner regarding consequences of withdrawal from a professional services partnership.

- Reviewed offer letters, employment agreements and restrictive covenant arrangements for numerous employees, including Internal Revenue Code Section 409A tax advice and option compensation.

- Assisted in advising a global financial services company regarding their stock, stock-based and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, U.S. securities and tax law compliance, and data privacy.

PUBLICATIONS

- Contributor regarding ERISA Litigation content, Practical Law (Westlaw), 2014.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

- Presented at union convention regarding HIPAA protections of health benefit plan information, November 2021.

CIVIC AND PRO BONO ACTIVITIES

- Goodhue House – Art Committee, 2013 – 2016

- New York City Bar Consumer Affairs Committee, 2014 – 2015

- Bronx CLARO – Volunteer Lawyers’ Consumer Debt relief program, 2013 – 2014

- Witness and advocate in eviction case in Manhattan housing court, 2012 – 2013

- Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), 2007 – 2009

AFFILIATIONS

- International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans

- Worldwide Employee Benefits Network - New York Chapter Steering Committee