ABOUT US

Myers & Shaw, P.A. is a truly unique law firm. We are proud to be one of the few law firms located in the State of Florida specializing solely in the highly complex and technical practice of employee benefits law. We are committed to meeting our clients' employee benefits needs by delivering high quality service, practical solutions, and solid, understandable advice in a timely manner.

With over 40 years of combined experience in employee benefit matters, our attorneys specialize in providing advice on all aspects of employee benefits to employers, including correction of administrative operational issues for plans, designing, drafting, revising, reviewing, implementing, administering, and terminating defined benefit pension plans, profit sharing plans, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, ESOPs, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, 457 plans, special compensation arrangements, stock related incentives, flexible benefit programs, cafeteria plans, welfare benefit programs, and MEWAs.

The firm also represents and advises employers in benefit plan matters before the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; in corporate transactions, such as financing, mergers, acquisitions, sales and bankruptcies; in continuation of health care coverage issues, specifically COBRA and HIPAA portability and privacy issues; and in all types of issues regarding fiduciary obligations relating to employee benefits.

Our diversified client base includes both large and small employers located throughout Florida and the United States. We represent both publicly traded and closely held corporations, as well as for-profit and not-for-profit entities. Our clients are involved in a myriad of different industries, including, but not limited to, professional services, governmental entities, religious institutions, banking, manufacturing, mining, agriculture, health care, construction and professional employer organizations.

Our Attorneys

•  Carol L. Myers, Esq.

Carol has practiced employee benefit law for over 25 years. In addition, for the three years prior to attending law school, she worked in pension administration and actuarial services. As President of the firm, Carol directs the firm's practice and focuses on all aspects of employee benefits. She regularly assists employers with complex issues in administering, designing, revising, preparing and implementing all types of employee benefit plans and compensation arrangements including qualified retirement plans, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, 457 plans, employee stock ownership plans and health and welfare plans. Carol frequently represents employers with regard to employee benefits involved in company financing activities, mergers, acquisitions, sales and bankruptcies. She also represents employers before the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

A member of the American Bar Association, Carol is actively involved in the Employee Benefits Committee of the ABA Section of Taxation and the Employee Benefits Committee of the ABA Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law. She is a member of the ESOP Association, the National Center for Employee Ownership, the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals, the Society for Human Resource Management and the Sarasota Human Resources Association as well as the Tampa Bay Pension Council. She is a frequent speaker before various professional groups on all aspects of employee benefit matters.

Carol established Myers & Shaw, P.A. in 1992, after spending 13 years as employee benefit practice director of Florida 's largest law firm. She received her law degree and her LL.M. degree in taxation, both with high honors, from the University of Florida .

•  Melanie D. Shaw, Esq.

Following a previous career in education, Melanie received her law degree with honors from Florida State University College of Law in 1995. She practiced in Tallahassee, Florida and Minneapolis, Minnesota before joining Myers & Shaw, P.A. in 2003. Melanie's practice has specialized in health and welfare plans, cafeteria plans, flexible spending plans, benefit plan administrative service contracts, HIPAA privacy and portability, and COBRA.