Novara Law Adds New Counsel to Employee Benefits/ERISA Practice

Novara, Tesija, Catenacci, McDonald & Baas, PLLC, one of southeast Michigan’s largest law firms, announces that attorney and CPA Clara M. Sanchez has joined the firm as a senior attorney in the Employee Benefits/ERISA Practice.

“Clara brings over 10 years of ERISA and tax experience, most recently as part of employee benefits at a global automotive company headquartered in Detroit,” said Michael Novara, managing partner and CEO. “We are very pleased to have her join our firm and share her diverse expertise with clients.”

She previously advised on compliance, governance, and audit matters, working for the in-house ERISA counsel and Tax Counsel. In addition to her legal experience, Clara uses her accounting degree and background to prepare Forms 5500, 990, and 8955-SSSA and advise on the legal and tax implications of plan operation and benefit design. 

Clara has experience providing legal advice to defined benefit plans, supplemental benefit plans, defined contribution plans, as well as health and welfare plans. In addition, she has conducted plan audits and provided administrative services to tax-qualified plans, rounding out her extensive employee benefits experience.

She has served as president and treasurer of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association. She also served in the State Bar of Michigan's Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee. 

She received her LLM from Wayne State University Law School, her LLB (J.D.) from San Beda University Law School and her BSC in Accounting from the University of Santo Tomas.