Biography
Hannah represents employers of varying sizes and in different regions of the country with matters related to employee benefits, executive compensation, and incentives programs.
Areas of Focus
+Retirement
- Advises employers—both for-profit and nonprofit—regarding 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), 457(f), defined benefit, and cash balance plans
- Designs plans and plan features to achieve strategic goals of the company and/or its owners
- Provides practical advice on plan administration to avoid plan errors
- Maintains plans to ensure compliance with applicable federal laws
- Guides employers through the plan termination process
- Aids employers in correcting plan documentation or operational errors
- Drafts determination letters and other filings
- Guides employers through plan restatement process
- Responds to participant inquiries and claims
- Counsels employers on controlled group and affiliated service group matters
+Executive Compensation
- Works with employers to design compensation arrangements for executives and key employees, and to assist with the selection or expansion of current compensation arrangements
- Advises employers in the drafting and negotiation of employment agreements
- Designs severance plans, change in control agreements, and retention incentive arrangements
+Medical, Welfare, & Fringe Benefits
- Counsels employers in the selection and implementation of various fringe benefit arrangements
Credentials
+Certifications & Specializations
Certified Yellow Belt in Legal Lean Sigma by the Legal Lean Sigma Institute®
+Education
North Carolina Central University School of Law, JD, summa cum laude, 2017. Valedictorian.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA with distinction, 2010
+Notable Accomplishments
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch” (Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law) 2024-2025
Recipient of Daniel G. Sampson Award for Scholarship
Senior Editor, North Carolina Central Law Review
+Professional & Community Activities
American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA): Chair, focus Committee
Journal of Pension Benefits, Co-Editor-in-Chief
+Speaking & Writing
“Executive Compensation: Attracting, Retaining, and Mitigating Risk” for ACC Charlotte Annual Educational Webinar February 2025
“Foundations of Controlled Groups and Affiliated Service Groups” and “Plan Corrections: Under SECURE 2.0” at the Poyner Spruill Annual Employment and Employee Benefits Seminar February 2025
“Are We Related? Minimum Coverage Case Studies” and “The Future is Here—Student Debt Matching & PLESAs” at ASPPA Annual Conference October 2024
“SECURE 2.0: Highlight on Student Loan Matching” (Journal of Pension Benefits Summer 2024, Vol. 30, Issue 4)
To Vote or Not to Vote: DOL Releases Final Proxy Voting Rule (Journal of Pension Benefits, Summer 2021)
Tax Reform Update: The Expense of Providing Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits to your Employees (Journal of Pension Benefits, Spring 2019)
Relief Storm: Providing tax-free benefits during the COVID-19 Emergency, NC Lawyers Weekly
The Changing Landscape of Executive Compensation: Tax Reform and the Use of Nonqualified Plans, Journal of Pension Benefits
QSEHRA: Not Just Another Acronym, Plan Consultant Magazine
