Erek M. Sharp, Stockholder, Reid and Riege, P.C. to Speak at Knowledge Congress’ LIVE Webcast

NEW YORK - Feb. 10, 2014 - PRLog -- The Knowledge Group/The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series, the leading producer of regulatory focused webcasts, has announced today that Erek M. Sharp, Stockholder, Reid and Riege, P.C. will speak at a 2-hour webcast entitled “401(k) and 403(b) Investments: What's New for 2014 and Beyond? LIVE Webcast. This two-hour event is scheduled on February 20, 2014 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET.

For further details and updated list of speakers, please visit:

http://www.knowledgecongress.org/event_2014_401_403_Investments.html

Event Synopsis:

The investment of 401(k) and 403(b) plan assets can be a source of material risk for plan sponsors and plan fiduciaries. The selection and retention of investment options and platform providers is subject to ERISA’s stringent fiduciary rules.  Fiduciaries in the 401(k) and 403(b) plan universe face ever-increasing scrutiny with respect to their investment decisions, and often find these decisions, and the processes employed in reaching them, being challenged by plaintiff’s attorneys, labor organizations and/or government regulators.  Whether or not the challenges are warranted in any particular situation, the costs, which might include litigation expenses, adverse publicity for the plan sponsor and service providers, and diminished morale for the sponsor’s employees, can be staggering.  The ability of plan sponsors and fiduciaries to identify and understand key issues arising in connection with the investment of 401(k) and 403(b) plan assets is a critical step in navigating the investment process and mitigating risk.

The Knowledge Group is assembling a panel of distinguished thought leaders and practitioners to help plan sponsors and plan fiduciaries understand and navigate the 401(k) and 403(b) plan investment landscape in year 2014 and beyond. The speakers will walk you through the most important issues in the mix in a two-hour LIVE webcast.

Key topics include:

- 401(k) and 403(b) Investments: an Overview

- Fiduciary Rules and How They Apply to 401(k) and 403(b) Investments

- Impact on Firms, Plan Fiduciaries, Sponsors and Participants

- Up-to-the-minute regulatory updates

- Best Practices and Strategies for Compliance

- Other issues surrounding 401(k) and 403(b) Investments, including company stock, brokerage windows and life time income

About Erek Sharp

Erek is a stockholder and member of Reid and Riege’s Employee Benefits & Pension Practice Area. Erek frequently analyzes, drafts and amends both qualified and nonqualified plan documents, and has substantial experience counseling a diverse roster of clients in connection with plan implementation, compliance and termination-related matters arising under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other applicable laws. He routinely counsels clients concerning their fiduciary obligations and “best practices,” and often provides advice in connection with prohibited transaction issues and the application of related class or statutory exemptions. He has substantial experience advising plan sponsors, named fiduciaries, trustees and investment advisers in connection with the investment of benefit plan assets in both traditional and alternative investment vehicles (both domestic and offshore), including plan asset funds, VCOCs and REOCs, and frequently reviews and negotiates the terms of related advisory/service agreements and fund documents. He also counsels clients in connection with benefits and compensation issues arising in merger and acquisition transactions, including transactions involving leveraged and non-leveraged ESOPs. In addition, he has advised boards of directors and compensation committees in connection with the design and implementation of equity and “phantom” equity compensation arrangements, change in control agreements and severance/separation pay programs and agreements, as well as their reporting and disclosure obligations with respect thereto.

About Reid and Riege, P.C.

Founded in 1950, Reid and Riege, P.C. is a full service law firm providing legal counsel and representation to many of the region's leading business and nonprofit organizations, financial institutions, corporations and individuals. The firm's focus includes the following practice areas: commercial finance; corporations, limited liability companies and other business organizations; business succession planning; executive agreements and compensation; mergers and acquisitions; pension and other employee benefits; employment and personnel; environmental; health care; estate planning and estate settlement; executive and physician planning; fiduciary and probate litigation; fiduciary services; general litigation; insolvency and bankruptcy; multiemployer benefit plans; nonprofit organizations; real estate; and tax. Reid and Riege has principal offices in both Hartford and New Haven.

To know more about Erek Sharp and Reid and Riege, P.C. please visit: www.rrlawpc.com

About The Knowledge Group, LLC/The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series

The Knowledge Congress is a series of live webcasts produced by The Knowledge Group, LLC, which examine trends, regulatory, and technology changes across a variety of industries. Its mission is to produce unbiased, objective, and educational live webcasts that examine industry trends and regulatory changes from a variety of different perspectives. The goal is to deliver a unique multilevel analysis of an important issue affecting business in a highly focused format.

The organization brings together the world's leading authorities and industry participants through informative two-hour webcasts to study the impact of changes and emerging trends. Hear from leading government officials/regulators, key thought leaders, and industry experts objectively analyze the latest trends and issues and their impact on industries.  For further details, please visit the organization’s website: www.knowledgecongress.org