ELIZABETH S. BULLOCK
614-582-6356 (c)
bulloce@nationwide.com
Skilled ERISA Attorney with over seven years experience. Provided legal advice to Fortune 500 Company regarding a converted cash balance plan and served as counsel to the Administrative Committee for billion dollar cash balance and 401(k) plans. Advise service provider regarding 401(k) plans and give guidance regarding automatic enrollment and qualified default investment alternatives, establishment of public school retirement plans and ERISA 403(b) plans under the final 403(b) regulations. Possess thorough research skills and ability to communicate complex subject matter in simple terms.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2000-Present Nationwide Columbus, OH
Assistant General Counsel, 2006 - Present
- Provide legal advice and risk analysis to private-sector retirement plan business which provides the financial products for small business retirement plans through third party administrators offering 401(k), 403(b) and governmental 401(a) plans
- Draft legal documents and provide legal opinions regarding automatic enrollment and qualified default investment alternatives
- Give legal advice regarding ERISA 403(b) plans and public school 403(b) plans
Assistant General Counsel, 2006
- ERISA counsel for $2 billion converted cash balance plan
- Provided daily legal advice and risk analysis
- Advised administrative committee regarding their fiduciary duties for cash balance and 401(k) plan and provided legal advice regarding discretionary decisions
- Worked with office of investments regarding transactions and proposed ventures
- Drafted cash balance plan document
- Provided current analysis of new cases, legislation and regulations
Senior Counsel, 2004-2006
- Successfully negotiated with clients, outside counsel and government authorities preventing millions of dollars in potential lawsuits
- Drafted cash balance plan incorporating provisions of merged plan and negotiated provisions resulting from merger and acquisition of Provident Life Insurance Company
- Drafted durable power of attorney statutes for State of Ohio enacted in 2006
Counsel II, 2003-2004
- Drafted amendments to Nationwide 401(k) and cash balance plans
- Provided legal advice regarding self-correction of issues identified during third party audit
Counsel, 2000-2003
- Reviewed all domestic relations orders and powers of attorney for Nationwide 401(k) and cash balance plans
- Provided research and analysis of DOL and IRS promulgations and case law for senior ERISA attorneys
1999-2000 Spherion Legal Services Columbus, Ohio
Attorney
- Assisted in settlement of class action lawsuit for Nationwide Insurance
- Reviewed individual claims and negotiated with defendant's counsel in settlement of lawsuit
1991-1998 PNC Bank Louisville, Kentucky
Trust, Estate and Tax Officer, 1993-1998
- Administered estates up to several billion dollars from opening to closing of estate
- Completed, filed and negotiated with IRS attorneys in regard to estate, split-interest trust, grantor retained annuity trusts, income, exempt organization, charitable remainder interest trusts and private foundation tax returns
- Set up and administered trusts ranging in size up to several million dollars
Collateral Loan Review Officer, 1991-1993
- Analyzed collateral loan documents for large commercial loans
- Documented and drafted a loan review training manual
EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS
Juris Doctor
CAPITAL UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL – Columbus, Ohio
Bachelor of Arts – Journalism
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY – Columbus, Ohio
Licensure
Licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio
Technical Proficiencies
Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Lexis, RIA Thomson, CCH, BNA
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Certified Toastmaster (Speaker) – 2005
President of Toastmasters: 2006-2008