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Megan E. Hladilek
Partner
Overview
Megan Hladilek counsels employers and fiduciaries on employee benefits matters, helping them design and revise plans and service contracts that are both strategic and compliant.
Megan strives to find solutions that meet business objectives and timetables within a level of risk acceptable to the client — whether that’s a complex pension plan project, fixing an erroneous 401(k) loan, or offering a new idea about health coverage in a deal when the parties seem to be in a deadlock. She enjoys sharing her knowledge, as well as counseling clients through tough decisions.
Plan Designs, Interpretations, and Corrections
Megan advises on the design, governance, and administration of retirement, welfare, and executive employee benefit plans. She revises plan documents, policies, and summary plan descriptions for compliance with the Internal Revenue Code, ERISA, and other laws. Megan assists clients with obtaining Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approvals of plan documents and terminations.
She develops practical solutions for errors in benefit plan administration and documentation, including the IRS and Department of Labor (DOL) correction programs. Megan also resolves benefit claims and appeals. She devises pension plan de-risking strategies. In addition, she writes plain English notices to meet disclosure requirements.
Fiduciary Standards
Megan guides clients on understanding their fiduciary status and fiduciary duties. She drafts investment management agreements and fee disclosures. She also analyzes prohibited transactions and manages investigations.
Corporate Transactions
Megan conducts benefits due diligence and supports clients in corporate transactions. During mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, she negotiates benefits and compensation terms. She also advises on the integration of benefit plans, including plan mergers, governance, and participant communications.
Personal Interests
In her free time, Megan enjoys going to the library, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. She indulges in watching and listening to musicals — in films, on stage, and on soundtracks.
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Minnesota
Languages
French
Education
Mitchell Hamline School of Law
J.D. summa cum laude, Law Review (notes and comments editor) (2007)
Saint Norbert College
B.A. summa cum laude (2003)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
Other Perspectives
- Employment and Benefits Traps for the Unwary
Panelist with Page Fleeger (FaegreBD), Medha Johnson (American Enterprise Group) and Jayne Paquin (Target), 2017 Iowa M&A Conference, Des Moines, August 2017 - Top 10 Concerns for 401(k) Benefit Plans
Co-presenter with Magen Koepp (Olsen Thielen & Co.), April 2017 - DOL Fiduciary Rule: What Plan Sponsors and Advisors Need to Know
Co-presenter with Doug Heffernan, Minnesota CLE Conference Center, Minneapolis, February 2017 - Scenarios Under the Fiduciary Rules and Exemptions
Co-presenter with Doug Heffernan, Minneapolis Pension Council, October 2016 - Twin Cities Institutional RIA Roundtable: DOL Fiduciary Definition Discussion
Panelist with Stuart Cohen (Nuveen) and Andrew Holly (Dorsey & Whitney LLP), Minneapolis, September 2016 - Department of Labor Fiduciary Definition Proposal Discussion
Panelist with Jason Lipka (Principal Financial Group), Thomas Henke (Fredrickson & Byron P.A.) and Page Fleeger (Faegre Baker Daniels), Minneapolis, February 2016 - Obergefell v. Hodges: Tax and Estate Planning Issues for Employers and Individuals
Panelist with Professor Lee-Ford Tritt, University of Florida, Levin College of Law, and Ray Prather, Prather Ebner LLP, at ABA Section of Taxation Joint Fall Meeting, Chicago, September 2015 - The Evolution of Marriage Equality and Employee Benefits Plans
Co-presenter with Gayle Skolnik and Justin Kingsolver, Bloomberg BNA Webinar, August 2014 - Post-DOMA Issues for Retirement Plans and Fringe Benefits
Employee Benefits Institute of America Webinar, June 2014
Firm Blog Contributions
- Spotlight on Benefits – a blog offering practical insight on legal developments which impact benefit plans
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- Minnesota State Bar Association — Employee Benefits Section
Civic Activities
- United Way — Women United Membership, Co-chair, 2015; Women's Giving Membership, Co-chair, 2014; WINGs Program Funding, Co-chair, 2013; and Faegre Baker Daniels Campaign, Co-chair, 2011-12