ERISA

EDUCATION

CERTIFIED EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SPECIALIST CERTIFICATE CANDIDATE

International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans

Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL OF LAW, San Diego, CA

Juris Doctor, December 1999

Dean’s Honor Roll, December 1999

Trial Practice , Fall 1999

American Jurisprudence Award Recipient in International Business Transactions, Summer 1998

GOLDEN GATE UNIVERSITY, San Francisco, CA

Master of Arts, International Relations and Public Policy, April 1994

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Berkeley, CA

Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies, May 1990

EXPERIENCE

SAN FRANCISCO ERISA ADVISOR - San Francisco, CA

Principal and Senior ERISA Compliance Consultant - October 2008 to Present

Consult with plan sponsors and monitor plans’ various issues including investment and fiduciary plan governance, fees and expenses, documentation of trust agreements, investment management, as well as non-discrimination testing, plan design, eligibility determination, plan reports and government filings, etc. focusing on defined benefit and defined contribution qualified retirement plans, health and welfare plans, addressing COBRA and HIPAA issues. Review and audit of Reporting (Forms 5500) and Disclosure (Plan Document, SPD, SMM, SAR’s), review, drafting, interpretation and impact of regulations, qualification requirements, and plan administrative compliance audits. Advising and consultation in all aspects of ERISA regulatory compliance, ERISA prohibited transaction analysis, establishment of commingled funds including trust and domestic funds, real estate investments, private equity funds, as well as international equities and fixed income, stable value, etc. Research of technical issues and questions, with emphasis on IRS and DOL correction programs.

INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE IN SERVICE AND EDUCATION, San Francisco, CA

Chief Financial Officer, March 2006 to October 2008

Directed the overall financial planning and accounting practices of the Organization. Oversaw treasury, accounting, budget, tax and audit activities of the Organization. Implemented and directed financial and accounting system controls and standards, and ensure timely financial and statistical reports for management and Board use. Prepared IRS and California State employment tax filings. Grant procurement and administration. International travel to site locations for evaluation of service-learning programs. Reviewed and identified compliance issues, made recommendations and directed implementation of appropriate programs. Managed exposure in policies, procedures and controls, and ensured compliance with regulatory agencies, such as the IRS. Supervision of staff.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, San Francisco, CA

Auditor, August 2000 to February 2006

Audited employee health and pension benefit plans covered by ERISA, HIPAA and COBRA. Drafted reports, memoranda, and compliance determinations addressing violations of the fiduciary provisions under Title I of ERISA, focusing on private sector health and pension plans, including 401(k), 403(b), profit sharing, money purchase and Taft-Hartley plans. Audit of Reporting (Form 5500's) and Disclosure (PD, SPD, SMM, SAR’s), conducted field interviews, formal depositions, and document review. Analysis of plan records requiring the application of technical audit procedures used to verify account journals, ledgers, and source documents. Duties were performed in conjunction with the Solicitor of Labor and the United States Attorney on cases selected for civil litigation or criminal prosecution. Prepared referrals to the IRS on matters related to benefit plan tax qualification status and potential excise tax assessment, and EBSA’s Office of Chief Accountant, (OCA). Conducted on-campus recruiting. Trained and supervised student interns.

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL OF CALIFORNIA, Sacramento, CA

Graduate Legal Assistant, Summer 1999

Assisted staff attorneys in research and drafting of legislative bills and amendments; prepared oral or written legal opinions on issues relating to existing law and proposed legislation; provided oral and written legal advice to legislative staff on legislative rules and procedures, legislative proposals, existing law and legal precedent; assisted staff attorneys in appearances before legislative committees to provide legal advice on existing law or proposed legislation.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, San Diego, CA Honorable John A. Houston, Judge

Judicial Extern, Spring 1999

Prepared bench memoranda and drafted opinions; reviewed and analyzed pleadings and made recommendations on pending motions; assisted with courtroom administration; observed court process through attendance at Settlement, Case Management and Early Neutral Evaluation Conferences, pretrial and motion hearings and trials.

UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, San Diego, CA

Honorable Louise DeCarl Adler, Chief Judge

Judicial Extern, Summer 1998

Prepared bench memoranda; reviewed and analyzed pleadings and made recommendations on pending motions; researched and wrote on a variety of bankruptcy issues; assisted with courtroom administration; observed court process through attendance at pretrials and hearings, motion hearings and trials.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, Alameda, CA

Patent Prosecution Assistant, January 1994 - April 1996

Responsible for various aspects of disclosure and prosecution of US and foreign patent applications; drafted legal correspondence and documents; maintained database for the prosecution of domestic and foreign utility patent applications; trained and supervised temporary personnel.

LANGUAGE and COMPUTER SKILLS

Fluent in Farsi; conversant in French and Italian. Proficient in WordPerfect, MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), QuickBooks, Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis.

ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERESTS

Member of Tehran Bar Association; Treasurer of International Law Society; member of Women's Insolvency Network and the Intellectual Property Section of the ABA. Biking, photography, swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA, running, hiking, and traveling.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING & ACTIVITIES

Commissioned Notary Public, California.

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Investigative Training: Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture.

U.S. Department of Labor, Criminal Training Course.

U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefit Plan Accounting and Benefit Plan Auditing Training Course.

U.S. Department of Labor, Investigator Basic Training Course and ERISA compliance instruction.

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