Carrie J.Grove
Partner
Employee Benefits
cgrove@seyfarth.com
Carrie partners with her clients to ensure that their benefit and pension plans operate smoothly and in compliance with the law.
More About Carrie
Employee benefit plans offer important benefits and security to employees, and help companies attract and retain the best talent. These plans are also subject to a complex and evolving set of laws, which are difficult for plan sponsors to navigate. Clients look to Carrie for assistance in navigating all legal, strategic, and practical aspects of establishing and administering a wide variety of employee benefit plans.
Over two decades of experience as an ERISA attorney has afforded Carrie the opportunity to handle a vast array of complex issues involving all aspects of establishing and managing employee plans. Her practice focuses on self-administered multiemployer pension and benefit plans. Clients appreciate the practical, "real world" approach she takes when dealing with legal as well as non-legal challenges facing the plans.
Multiemployer plan clients seek Carrie's advice on legal matters and ask her to be involved in most aspects of administering their plans. These range from routine matters, which include handling benefit appeals and answering questions from fund office staff on COBRA, QDROs, benefit payments and other straightforward legal compliance issues, to larger, more complex projects such as plan restatements and compliance program submissions to the IRS, handling DOL compliance audits, implementing plan changes due to new collective bargaining directives or changes in the law, including the No Surprises Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and assisting the Trustees in taking the necessary steps to improve the funded status of the plan.
Carrie drafts plan documents, plan amendments, and participant communications. She is also regularly involved with drafting and negotiating agreements with third-party service providers for her multiemployer plan clients. Carrie is responsible for reviewing private equity and other alternative investment agreements and related documentation, and negotiating side letters that contain provisions that afford greater protection to the ERISA plans she represents. She also negotiates investment management agreements for separate accounts and group trusts.
In addition to the benefits work Carrie does for her multiemployer plan clients, she (with the help of her colleagues in the labor and employment, real estate, corporate and tax departments at Seyfarth) also assists her self-administered multiemployer plan clients with issues that any employer would face, including employment issues (leave issues, claims of discrimination, terminations, etc.), labor issues for the clients’ unionized staff, executive compensation for the top management, corporate issues such as by-laws, dba filings, real estate purchases and leases, and computer software contracts.
The Executive Director of a set of large multiemployer pension and health plans that Carrie represents stated in an email that:
“My interaction with Carrie Grove is often (weekly and at times daily). Carrie’s sense of urgency regarding all Trust Fund business in unparalleled. I have said many times to those that ask, her ability to get large “quantities” and “quality” work done timely is remarkable and greatly appreciated. Our workload is immense and she never lets me or the Trust Fund down. I wouldn’t want this type of a job without having a quality person like Carrie Grove to work alongside.”
At Seyfarth, Carrie enjoys the warm and friendly atmosphere, where everyone's goal is to provide top-quality legal services.
Over two decades of experience as an ERISA attorney has afforded Carrie the opportunity to handle a vast array of complex issues involving all aspects of establishing and managing employee plans. Her practice focuses on self-administered multiemployer pension and benefit plans. Clients appreciate the practical, "real world" approach she takes when dealing with legal as well as non-legal challenges facing the plans.
Multiemployer plan clients seek Carrie's advice on legal matters and ask her to be involved in most aspects of administering their plans. These range from routine matters, which include handling benefit appeals and answering questions from fund office staff on COBRA, QDROs, benefit payments and other straightforward legal compliance issues, to larger, more complex projects such as plan restatements and compliance program submissions to the IRS, handling DOL compliance audits, implementing plan changes due to new collective bargaining directives or changes in the law, including the No Surprises Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and assisting the Trustees in taking the necessary steps to improve the funded status of the plan.
Carrie drafts plan documents, plan amendments, and participant communications. She is also regularly involved with drafting and negotiating agreements with third-party service providers for her multiemployer plan clients. Carrie is responsible for reviewing private equity and other alternative investment agreements and related documentation, and negotiating side letters that contain provisions that afford greater protection to the ERISA plans she represents. She also negotiates investment management agreements for separate accounts and group trusts.
In addition to the benefits work Carrie does for her multiemployer plan clients, she (with the help of her colleagues in the labor and employment, real estate, corporate and tax departments at Seyfarth) also assists her self-administered multiemployer plan clients with issues that any employer would face, including employment issues (leave issues, claims of discrimination, terminations, etc.), labor issues for the clients’ unionized staff, executive compensation for the top management, corporate issues such as by-laws, dba filings, real estate purchases and leases, and computer software contracts.
The Executive Director of a set of large multiemployer pension and health plans that Carrie represents stated in an email that:
“My interaction with Carrie Grove is often (weekly and at times daily). Carrie’s sense of urgency regarding all Trust Fund business in unparalleled. I have said many times to those that ask, her ability to get large “quantities” and “quality” work done timely is remarkable and greatly appreciated. Our workload is immense and she never lets me or the Trust Fund down. I wouldn’t want this type of a job without having a quality person like Carrie Grove to work alongside.”
At Seyfarth, Carrie enjoys the warm and friendly atmosphere, where everyone's goal is to provide top-quality legal services.
- JD, University of California College of the Law, San Francisco
- BS, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
PsychologyMagna cum laude
- California
- Represented both multi-employer health and pension plans in Department of Labor investigations. All were successfully resolved.
- Negotiated dozens of alternative investments made by multi-employer pension plan client, including hedge funds, private equity funds, portable alpha funds, and dynamic fixed income funds.
- Assisted in formation of and retained as co-counsel on new Taft-Hartley health fund.
Related News & Insights
-
Recognition
Aug 18, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2023
-
Legal Update
Aug 25, 2014
Issue 84: HHS Delays the Implementation Date for Adopting the ICD-10 Coding Standard Until October 1, 2015
-
Firm News
Feb 10, 2011
Seyfarth Shaw Elevates 14 to Partner
-
Attorney Publication
Jul 30, 2010
Carrie Grove and Yvette Kotchounian Published in Benefits & Compensation Digest
“A Plan Sponsor’s Guide for Collecting Withdrawal Liability”
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2023)
- International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
- “Retiree Health Plans 101,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefits Magazine (October 2019)
- Co-Author, "HHS Delays the Implementation Date for Adopting the ICD-10 Coding Standard Until October 1, 2015," Health Care Reform Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 25, 2014)
- “Complying With the Affordable Care Act – 90-Day Limit on Waiting Periods,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefits Magazine (March 2013)
- “Tax Reporting and Withholding on Pension Payments,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefits Magazine (January 2013)
- “Merging Multiemployer Health and Welfare Funds,” Trustee Handbook: A Guide to Labor-Management Employee Benefit Plans, 7th Ed. (2011)
- “A Plan Sponsor’s Guide for Collecting Withdrawal Liability,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefit & Compensation Digest (July 2011)
- “Merging Multiemployer Health and Welfare Funds: A Practical Guide,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefit & Compensation Digest (December 2008)
- “Investing Pension Assets in Alternative Investments,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefit & Compensation Digest (July 2007)
- “What to Do With Post-Death QDROs,”International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefits & Compensation Digest (September 2006)
- "Health Benefit Basics—Know Your Alphabet," International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 69th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2023)
- “Modern Cost Management Tools,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 65th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2019)
- “Advanced Retiree Health Care Presentation,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 64th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2018)
- “Ask the Professionals,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 63rd Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2017)
- “Roundtable: ACA Follow-up for Multiemployer Plans,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 61st Annual Employee Benefits Conference (November 2015)
- “Impact of DOMA on Benefit Plans,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 60th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2014)
- “Negotiating Investment Management Agreements,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 59th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2013)
- “All About Contracting,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 57th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2011)
- “The Retiree Reinsurance Program - Where Are We Today?” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 56th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (November 2010)
- “Health Care Reform - A Legislative Follow-Up,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 56th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (November 2010)
- “Legal Issues Related to Alternative Investments,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 53rd Annual Employee Benefits Conference (November 2007)
"My interaction with Carrie Grove is often (weekly and at times daily). Carrie's sense of urgency regarding all trust fund business is unparalleled. I have said many times to those that ask, her ability to get large 'quantities' of 'quality' work done in a timely manner is remarkable and greatly appreciated. Our workload is immense and she never lets me or the trust fund down. I wouldn't want this type of a job without having a quality person like Carrie Grove to work alongside." —Client feedback
Carrie partners with her clients to ensure that their benefit and pension plans operate smoothly and in compliance with the law.
More About Carrie
Employee benefit plans offer important benefits and security to employees, and help companies attract and retain the best talent. These plans are also subject to a complex and evolving set of laws, which are difficult for plan sponsors to navigate. Clients look to Carrie for assistance in navigating all legal, strategic, and practical aspects of establishing and administering a wide variety of employee benefit plans.
Over two decades of experience as an ERISA attorney has afforded Carrie the opportunity to handle a vast array of complex issues involving all aspects of establishing and managing employee plans. Her practice focuses on self-administered multiemployer pension and benefit plans. Clients appreciate the practical, "real world" approach she takes when dealing with legal as well as non-legal challenges facing the plans.
Multiemployer plan clients seek Carrie's advice on legal matters and ask her to be involved in most aspects of administering their plans. These range from routine matters, which include handling benefit appeals and answering questions from fund office staff on COBRA, QDROs, benefit payments and other straightforward legal compliance issues, to larger, more complex projects such as plan restatements and compliance program submissions to the IRS, handling DOL compliance audits, implementing plan changes due to new collective bargaining directives or changes in the law, including the No Surprises Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and assisting the Trustees in taking the necessary steps to improve the funded status of the plan.
Carrie drafts plan documents, plan amendments, and participant communications. She is also regularly involved with drafting and negotiating agreements with third-party service providers for her multiemployer plan clients. Carrie is responsible for reviewing private equity and other alternative investment agreements and related documentation, and negotiating side letters that contain provisions that afford greater protection to the ERISA plans she represents. She also negotiates investment management agreements for separate accounts and group trusts.
In addition to the benefits work Carrie does for her multiemployer plan clients, she (with the help of her colleagues in the labor and employment, real estate, corporate and tax departments at Seyfarth) also assists her self-administered multiemployer plan clients with issues that any employer would face, including employment issues (leave issues, claims of discrimination, terminations, etc.), labor issues for the clients’ unionized staff, executive compensation for the top management, corporate issues such as by-laws, dba filings, real estate purchases and leases, and computer software contracts.
The Executive Director of a set of large multiemployer pension and health plans that Carrie represents stated in an email that:
“My interaction with Carrie Grove is often (weekly and at times daily). Carrie’s sense of urgency regarding all Trust Fund business in unparalleled. I have said many times to those that ask, her ability to get large “quantities” and “quality” work done timely is remarkable and greatly appreciated. Our workload is immense and she never lets me or the Trust Fund down. I wouldn’t want this type of a job without having a quality person like Carrie Grove to work alongside.”
At Seyfarth, Carrie enjoys the warm and friendly atmosphere, where everyone's goal is to provide top-quality legal services.
Over two decades of experience as an ERISA attorney has afforded Carrie the opportunity to handle a vast array of complex issues involving all aspects of establishing and managing employee plans. Her practice focuses on self-administered multiemployer pension and benefit plans. Clients appreciate the practical, "real world" approach she takes when dealing with legal as well as non-legal challenges facing the plans.
Multiemployer plan clients seek Carrie's advice on legal matters and ask her to be involved in most aspects of administering their plans. These range from routine matters, which include handling benefit appeals and answering questions from fund office staff on COBRA, QDROs, benefit payments and other straightforward legal compliance issues, to larger, more complex projects such as plan restatements and compliance program submissions to the IRS, handling DOL compliance audits, implementing plan changes due to new collective bargaining directives or changes in the law, including the No Surprises Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and assisting the Trustees in taking the necessary steps to improve the funded status of the plan.
Carrie drafts plan documents, plan amendments, and participant communications. She is also regularly involved with drafting and negotiating agreements with third-party service providers for her multiemployer plan clients. Carrie is responsible for reviewing private equity and other alternative investment agreements and related documentation, and negotiating side letters that contain provisions that afford greater protection to the ERISA plans she represents. She also negotiates investment management agreements for separate accounts and group trusts.
In addition to the benefits work Carrie does for her multiemployer plan clients, she (with the help of her colleagues in the labor and employment, real estate, corporate and tax departments at Seyfarth) also assists her self-administered multiemployer plan clients with issues that any employer would face, including employment issues (leave issues, claims of discrimination, terminations, etc.), labor issues for the clients’ unionized staff, executive compensation for the top management, corporate issues such as by-laws, dba filings, real estate purchases and leases, and computer software contracts.
The Executive Director of a set of large multiemployer pension and health plans that Carrie represents stated in an email that:
“My interaction with Carrie Grove is often (weekly and at times daily). Carrie’s sense of urgency regarding all Trust Fund business in unparalleled. I have said many times to those that ask, her ability to get large “quantities” and “quality” work done timely is remarkable and greatly appreciated. Our workload is immense and she never lets me or the Trust Fund down. I wouldn’t want this type of a job without having a quality person like Carrie Grove to work alongside.”
At Seyfarth, Carrie enjoys the warm and friendly atmosphere, where everyone's goal is to provide top-quality legal services.
- JD, University of California College of the Law, San Francisco
- BS, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
PsychologyMagna cum laude
- California
- Represented both multi-employer health and pension plans in Department of Labor investigations. All were successfully resolved.
- Negotiated dozens of alternative investments made by multi-employer pension plan client, including hedge funds, private equity funds, portable alpha funds, and dynamic fixed income funds.
- Assisted in formation of and retained as co-counsel on new Taft-Hartley health fund.
Related News & Insights
-
Recognition
Aug 18, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2023
-
Legal Update
Aug 25, 2014
Issue 84: HHS Delays the Implementation Date for Adopting the ICD-10 Coding Standard Until October 1, 2015
-
Firm News
Feb 10, 2011
Seyfarth Shaw Elevates 14 to Partner
-
Attorney Publication
Jul 30, 2010
Carrie Grove and Yvette Kotchounian Published in Benefits & Compensation Digest
“A Plan Sponsor’s Guide for Collecting Withdrawal Liability”
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2023)
- International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
- “Retiree Health Plans 101,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefits Magazine (October 2019)
- Co-Author, "HHS Delays the Implementation Date for Adopting the ICD-10 Coding Standard Until October 1, 2015," Health Care Reform Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 25, 2014)
- “Complying With the Affordable Care Act – 90-Day Limit on Waiting Periods,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefits Magazine (March 2013)
- “Tax Reporting and Withholding on Pension Payments,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefits Magazine (January 2013)
- “Merging Multiemployer Health and Welfare Funds,” Trustee Handbook: A Guide to Labor-Management Employee Benefit Plans, 7th Ed. (2011)
- “A Plan Sponsor’s Guide for Collecting Withdrawal Liability,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefit & Compensation Digest (July 2011)
- “Merging Multiemployer Health and Welfare Funds: A Practical Guide,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefit & Compensation Digest (December 2008)
- “Investing Pension Assets in Alternative Investments,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefit & Compensation Digest (July 2007)
- “What to Do With Post-Death QDROs,”International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefits & Compensation Digest (September 2006)
- "Health Benefit Basics—Know Your Alphabet," International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 69th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2023)
- “Modern Cost Management Tools,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 65th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2019)
- “Advanced Retiree Health Care Presentation,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 64th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2018)
- “Ask the Professionals,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 63rd Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2017)
- “Roundtable: ACA Follow-up for Multiemployer Plans,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 61st Annual Employee Benefits Conference (November 2015)
- “Impact of DOMA on Benefit Plans,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 60th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2014)
- “Negotiating Investment Management Agreements,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 59th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2013)
- “All About Contracting,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 57th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (October 2011)
- “The Retiree Reinsurance Program - Where Are We Today?” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 56th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (November 2010)
- “Health Care Reform - A Legislative Follow-Up,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 56th Annual Employee Benefits Conference (November 2010)
- “Legal Issues Related to Alternative Investments,” International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 53rd Annual Employee Benefits Conference (November 2007)
"My interaction with Carrie Grove is often (weekly and at times daily). Carrie's sense of urgency regarding all trust fund business is unparalleled. I have said many times to those that ask, her ability to get large 'quantities' of 'quality' work done in a timely manner is remarkable and greatly appreciated. Our workload is immense and she never lets me or the trust fund down. I wouldn't want this type of a job without having a quality person like Carrie Grove to work alongside." —Client feedback