Widely regarded employment law experts Groom Law Group, Chartered focus exclusively on benefits, health, retirement and executive compensation matters. Based in Washington DC, the practice is jointly led by Malcolm Slee, who specializes in matters involving professional employer organizations and the gig economy; Viv Hunter Turner, who draws on significant experience advising on issues involving tax, COBRA, ERISA, and MHPAEA; Lisa Campbell, who is a specialist in health services; Seth Perretta, whose practice covers federal tax and ERISA matters of employee benefits; Lars Golumbic, who is the resident lisitgation-expert with significant expeirence in ESOP class actions; William Delany, who is also a specialist in ERISA litigation; Brigen Winters, who is a policy expert on health and welfare, retirement, tax and executive compensation; and Michael Kreps, who focuses on complex retirement plans and health plan issues. In the wider group, David Levine‘s extensive practice ranges from retirement to wealth and welfare matters. Jon Breyfogle is a respected figure in the market with expert knowledge on ERISA’s fiduciary rules and government regulation on health insurance. Kathryn Bjornstad Amin is a go-to for health and welfare benefit planning and design.

Proskauer Rose LLP fields a compensation and benefits practice distinguished by its fully integrated approach across plan design, transactional structuring and ERISA litigation. The practice is particularly noted for its ability to align day-to-day plan design and fiduciary advice with transactional strategy and dispute risk mitigation. The team is also active in multiemployer plan representation, fiduciary governance, actuarial risk mitigation and health and welfare plan design. Seth Safra heads up the practice from the Washington DC office and is praised for his deep knowledge of plan administration, tax-qualification and compliance requirements. Also situated in Washington DC, Justin Alex is distinguished by his expertise in the sports industry. Over in the New York office, Robert Projansky is known for advising companies in the entertainment industry on employee benefit matters. Also based in New York, Anthony Cacace serves as general ERISA counsel to boards of trustees of multiemployer pension and welfare benefit plans; and Katrina McCann is best known for her experience advising on profit sharing, money purchase, 401(k), ESOP and defined benefit plans. Michael Album retired in February 2025.

DLA Piper LLP (US) advises on the full lifecycle of benefit and incentive arrangements, from early-stage equity plan design to complex public company compensation governance. The group is particularly active in the biotech and technology sectors, where it advises both privately held and publicly traded companies on the design, drafting and evolution of equity award programs. Its practice head Rita Patel sits in the Washington DC office where she advises on the design and administration of stock options, employee stock purchase plans and a range of other equity interests. Also in the DC office are Jonathan Rose, whose practice mainly focuses on ERISA matters, notably fiduciary duty requirements, and Erin Sweeney, whose expertise lies in health privacy, welfare benefit claims, voluntary plans and plan terminations. Richard Ashley is a key name in the Chicago office for his knowledge of complex ERISA Title I matters and high-profile executive compensation matters. Dean Fealk is the go-to for IPO and post-transactional talent strategies in the San Francisco office.

Eversheds Sutherland‘s employee benefits and executive compensation practice has particular strength in advising the financial services and insurance sectors on complex ERISA and tax matters. The team is noted for its deep experience in fiduciary governance, retirement product structuring and regulatory compliance, frequently advising market participants on issues affecting annuities, IRAs and 403(b) arrangements. Adam Cohen spearheads the group from Washington DC and is known for working on the design and implementation of tax-qualified retirement plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans and fringe benefits. Michael Hepburn supports Cohen in the DC office and excels in the design, administration, and termination of retirement and welfare plans. Over in Atlanta, Brenna Clark is a key contact for employee benefits advice in corporate transactions, and Brittany Edwards-Franklin is highly skilled in negotiations with the IRS and DOL. April 2025 saw the departure of Carol McClarnon and June 2025 saw the arrival of David Kaleda from Groom Law Group, Chartered.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP fields a sizeable employee benefits and executive compensation practice advising major employers on plan design, fiduciary governance and regulatory compliance. The team is particularly noted for its alignment with a strong ERISA litigation bench, enabling risk-informed structuring of qualified, non-qualified and health and welfare arrangements. Diane Dygert leads the group from Chicago and is highly experienced in benefits operations, fiduciary governance, HIPAA privacy compliance and wellness programs. Additional key figures in the Chicago office include Jennifer Kraft, who routinely counsels on welfare benefits issues, notably wellness programs; Ben Conley, who is noted for his broad practice spanning employee benefits, fiduciary governance and data privacy; and Jon Karelitz, who routinely assists clients with the implementation and administration of 401(k) plans. In Washington DC, Liz Deckman designs and implements an array of tax-qualified retirement plans and trusts. Richard Schwartz focuses his practice on benefits work for health sector clients from the New York office.

Winston Taylor is particularly active in health and welfare plan structuring, executive compensation, pension de-risking and fiduciary governance, including advice relating to ACA implementation, mental health parity, HIPAA and association health plans. The practice also demonstrates strength in retiree medical and pension administration, cross-border compensation coordination and benefits support in corporate transactions. Joseph Adams is responsible for overseeing the practice and is recognised for his advice on retirement plan governance, incentive compensation design, fiduciary compliance and the benefits aspects of major corporate transactions. David Rogers is noted for his expertise in PBGC, IRS and DOL proceedings and defined benefit plan terminations in the Washington DC office. Amy Gordon focuses her practice on self-funded and insured health plans. Anne Becker specialises in retirement plan and executive compensation matters arising in corporate transactions. Erin Weber is noted for expertise in fiduciary governance and pension de-risking transactions. All lawyers mentioned are based in Chicago unless otherwise stated.

Baker McKenzie offers a globally integrated compensation and benefits practice advising multinational employers on the design and implementation of employee benefit, executive compensation and equity incentive arrangements across jurisdictions. The group is particularly active in advising on the compensation and benefits aspects of cross-border reorganisations, spin-offs and post-acquisition integrations, as well as on pension risk mitigation strategies for multinational employers, including defined benefit de-risking and fiduciary risk management. Barbara Klementz serves as practice head in the San Francisco office and focuses her practice on global equity compensation programs. Also in the San Francisco office are Sinead Kelly, who is well versed in issues around executive and director compensation arrangements, and Victor Flores, who is experienced in ERISA issues stemming from compensation programs. Brian Wydajewski is an expert in global equity and cash compensation plans in the Chicago office.

The McGuireWoods LLP team is particularly active in transformational plan restructurings, including large retirement plan redesigns and annuity de-risking initiatives, as well as large-scale 401(k) and ESOP re-platforming and pension governance reform. Gerald Thomas and Taylor Wedge French both take on the role of leading the practice. Thomas is the resident tax expert and sits in the Atlanta office. French has extensive experience in the creation and maintenance of tax-qualified retirement plans in the North Carolina office. Another key figure in the North Carolina office is Allison Tanner, who specialises in matters arising under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. Over in Richmond, Robert Wynne is well versed in the SEC’s executive compensation proxy disclosure rules. In Chiacgo, Carolyn Trenda is the go-to for the design and ongoing administration of tax-qualified retirement plans, and Katie Rak is experienced in pension plans.

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP is noted for its ability to handle day-to-day ERISA compliance, fiduciary governance and regulatory interpretation, while also assisting on the benefits aspects of corporate transactions and workforce restructurings. The team supports clients on the full spectrum of qualified and non-qualified plan issues, health and welfare arrangements and executive compensation advisory mandates. Its practice head James Earle is situated in the Charlotte office and assists clients in the design and administration of welfare benefit plans and tax-qualified retirement plans, notably 401(k) plans and defined benefit plans. Also based in Charlotte, Lynne Wakefield assists clients with employee benefit plan governance, including committee structures and charters. In the Philadelphia office, David Kaplan focuses his practice on public company executive compensation disclosures, and Sheri Adler designs and documents equity incentives, cash bonus arrangements, and employee stock purchase plans.

ArentFox Schiff advises employers, plan sponsors and fiduciaries on the design, administration and correction of employee benefit and executive compensation arrangements. The practice is particularly noted for its specialized expertise in resolving complex operational failures and plan compliance issues that pose tax disqualification and fiduciary risk. At the helm of the practice are Brian Friederich and Mamta Shah, both of whom are situated in the Chicago office. Frederich is particularly skilled at advising companies in the manufacturing, healthcare, financial services and technology sectors. Shah is routinely called upon to resolve plan governance issues, harmonize benefit structures post-acquisition, and address operational failures in benefit plans.

BakerHostetler handles the full spectrum of retirement, health and executive compensation matters, including plan integration and operational issues arising from corporate transactions, as well as government investigations and audits. Seth Hanft and Brian Murray jointly head up the practice from the Columbus and Cleveland offices, respectively. Hanft is highly experienced in ERISA compliance, IRS audits, ACA and HIPAA matters. Murray specializes in EBEC issues in the context of M&A transactions. Another key figure of the Cleveland office is Jennifer Mills, who focuses on health and welfare plans. Also based in Columbus, Susan Lubow is well versed in qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, and Stacy Wilhite is experienced in M&A-related EBEC matters. Over in the Dallas office, Stefan Smith is regarded for his knowledge of Code Section 280G and 409A compliance matters.

At Ballard Spahr LLP, its employee benefits and executive compensation team is particularly active in complex pension and retirement plan mandates, including defined benefit plan mergers, spin-offs, funding corrections and large-scale plan terminations. The practice spans executive compensation, ESOPs, health and welfare plans and multiemployer arrangements, with additional depth in withdrawal liability and collective bargaining-related benefits issues. Brian Pinheiro heads up the group from Philadelphia and skilled in ERISA governance, Section 409A and 280G matters, and regulatory proceedings before the IRS, DOL and PBGC. Also based in the Philadelphia office, Edward Leeds focuses on the design, administration and regulatory compliance of health and welfare plans. Over in Washington DC, D. Finn Pressly specialises in ACA, HIPAA and mental health parity compliance, healthcare reform and benefits-related regulatory developments.

Cohen & Buckmann is a highly specialized boutique devoted exclusively to employee benefits, pensions and executive compensation matters. The group demonstrates particular strength in deferred compensation and Section 409A structuring, fiduciary governance and investment adviser regulatory matters, as well as pension risk mitigation and plan termination strategies. Anchored in New York, the practice is led by a trio of partners, namely Sandra Cohen, who is a highly regarded executive compensation practitioner with deep expertise in Section 409A and complex deferred compensation structures; Carol Buckmann, who advises a client base of global employers on complex pension law and fiduciary matters; and Gretchen Harders, who is widely recognised for her breadth across executive compensation and qualified retirement plan matters. Zahava Blumenthal is also a key member of the team.

Greenberg Traurig advises a broad spectrum of employers, from closely held businesses to multinational corporations, on the design and drafting of qualified and non-qualified retirement arrangements, executive compensation structures and health and welfare plans. At the head of the practice are Magan Ray and Mindy Leathe, who sit in the Silicon Valley and Miami offices, respectively. Ray represents clients in IRS and Department of Labor audits, and Leathe regularly counsels clients on pension, profit sharing, 401(k), supplemental executive retirement (SERP), deferred compensation and health and welfare benefit plans. In the wider practice, Rebecca Hudson is key for ERISA and benefits design matters in Denver; Ian A Herbert is well versed in qualifying plan and ESOP mandates in Washington DC; and Stephanie Ahmad focuses on employee benefits and ERISA in Silicon Valley.

The K&L Gates team advises employers, fiduciaries and trustees on complex retirement, health and incentive plan design mandates. The team demonstrates particular strength in qualified plan restructuring, including defined benefit freezes and terminations, plan spin-offs and pension risk transfer transactions involving group annuity purchases transferring significant liabilities. The practice is jointly led by San Francisco-based Rikki Sapolich-Krol, who focuses on structuring, implementing, administering and correcting benefits plans and compensation arrangements; and Karrie Johnson Diaz advises on all aspects of qualified retirement plans from the Seattle office. Ali Nardali is a leading public company executive compensation advisor in the San Francisco office. Jennifer Addis is known for her work on ERISA compliance and fiduciary governance in the Seattle office.

Mayer Brown maintains a preeminent employee benefits and ERISA practice distinguished by its depth in fiduciary governance and retirement investment product design. The practice is particularly recognised for its extensive work with asset managers, banks and insurance companies on the structuring of collective investment trusts and defined contribution investment products. Practice head Maureen Gorman anchors the team from the Palo Alto office and routinely counsels on ERISA governance and regulatory audits and regularly handles benefits and compensation issues arising in complex corporate transactions. Erin Cho is a key figure in the Washington DC office and counsels plan sponsors on fiduciary governance and represents clients before the Department of Labor. Hillary August counsels plan fiduciaries on their ERISA obligations in the Chicago office.

Known for its strength in equity plan architecture, transactional integration and fiduciary governance, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP advises public companies, private equity sponsors and high-growth enterprises on the design and implementation of tax-efficient executive compensation arrangements. Working across both the New York and Austin offices, Jessica Lutrin co-heads the practice and is best known for designing incentive and equity frameworks in complex corporate transactions. Co-heading alongside Lutrin is Nora Burke in the New York office, who oversees the firm’s tax business group. In the wider team, Peter Hunt is a key name for pensions matters in New York; Mark Jones specializes in compensation and equity matters for public companies in Los Angeles; and San Francisco-based Christine Richardson is an expert in the retail and consumer sector.

Reed Smith LLP advises employers, executives and fiduciaries on a broad range of employee benefits and executive compensation matters, with particular strength in retirement plan compliance, executive compensation structuring and health and welfare plan governance. The practice handles the design and operation of qualified and nonqualified retirement arrangements, equity and deferred compensation programs, retiree health benefits and incentive plans, alongside regulatory proceedings involving the IRS, DOL and PBGC. Leadership of the group is the responsibility of Pittsburgh-based Allison Sizemore, who is noted for her expertise in ERISA fiduciary compliance, and Ian Sherwin, in New York. Additional figures to note from the Pittsburgh office include Jeffrey Aromatorio, who focuses on executive compensation design, equity incentives and securities law compliance, and Jennifer Gardner, whose strengths lie in in 409A and 457(f) plans. January 2025 saw the arrival of Scott Wagner and Ryan Gorman from Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP.

Steptoe LLP maintains a longstanding employee benefits and ERISA practice advising plan sponsors, fiduciaries, service providers and financial institutions on complex tax, fiduciary and governance matters. The team’s experience spans plan qualification, prohibited transaction issues, voluntary correction programs and fiduciary compliance under ERISA. Anchored in the Washington DC office, the practice is jointly run by Melanie Nussdorf and Eric Serron. The team benefits from Nussdorf’s financial services-focused knowledge of ERISA fiduciary and exemption authority, and Serron’s experience in ERISA fiduciary litigation.

Thompson Hine LLP supports large corporate clients across sectors including retail, healthcare, financial services, utilities and communications, reflecting its experience managing complex benefit programs for national employers. Julia Ann Love is responsible for overseeing the practice from the Cleveland office and is an expert in group health plan rules and regulation, notably those under ACA and the CAA. Over in the New York office, Timothy Brown is noted for handling executive compensation and retirement plan structuring. David Whaley is focused on ESOPs and 409A compliance, and Kim Wilcoxon is a health and welfare ERISA specialist, both of whom are situated in the Cincinnati office. Katie Kohn advises on all aspects of qualified retirement plan compliance in Washington DC.

Vedder demonstrates particular strength in C-suite and senior executive compensation structuring, SEC disclosure compliance and shareholder engagement, including say-on-pay advisory mandates. Christopher Collins sits at the helm of the practice, which benefits from his significant experience advising on benefit issues in connection with M&A transactions and DOL and IRS correction programs. In the wider practice, Thomas Hancuch focuses his practice on employee benefit plan design and administration; Kelly Starr advises boards of directors and their committees on executive compensation matters; Amal Rafiq excels in matters involving the executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of M&A and ESOP transactions; and Olivia Ustupski regularly advises on fiduciary issues, plan operational errors and benefit claims and disputes. All lawyers mentioned are based in Chicago.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton routinely advises public companies, private equity sponsors and financial institutions on complex incentive design, governance and ERISA matters. The group is particularly noted for its strength at the intersection of executive compensation, corporate governance and strategic transactions. The New York-based outfit is headed by Michael Albano, who is highly regarded for his work designing and structuring incentive arrangements. Elizabeth Dyer is an asset to the group, particularly for her knowledge of complex ERISA-related matters. Julia Petty is also a key figure in the practice and regularly provides executive compensation and governance advice to large public companies.

Husch Blackwell LLP advises employers, fiduciaries and financial service providers on the design, implementation and administration of executive compensation and employee benefit arrangements. The team handles a broad range of qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, health and welfare programs, ESOPs, incentive compensation and severance arrangements. Craig Kovarik leads the team from the Kansas City office and specializes in ERISA tax compliance. Key figures in the team include Alan Kandel, who is experienced in ESOP matters in St Louis; David Eckhardt, who has extensive 409A expertise in Milwaukee; and Molly Hobbs, who is a retirement and health plan design specialist in Denver.

Jackson Lewis P.C. fields a broad employee benefits and executive compensation practice advising employers across sectors including healthcare, financial services, retail, manufacturing and technology. The group handles retirement, health and welfare plan design, fiduciary governance, executive compensation and cross-border compliance matters, alongside benefits support in corporate transactions. New York-based Melissa Ostrower and Baltimore-based Kellie Thomas both share leadership of the practice. Ostrower is known for her expertise in Section 409A, 162(m) and 280G compliance, health plan regulation and IRS and DOL correction and audit proceedings. Thomas is the go-to for fiduciary governance, ERISA correction programs and the benefits aspects of corporate transactions and post-closing integration. Joy Napier-Joyce is a key point of reference on healthcare reform compliance in the Baltimore office.

Sullivan & Worcester LLP advises public and private employers on the design, implementation and administration of retirement, welfare and executive compensation arrangements. The team handles qualified and non-qualified deferred compensation programs, equity incentive structures and ESOP transactions, with particular strength in succession planning for privately held and family-owned businesses. The Boston-based team is run by David Guadagnoli whose knowledge of ESOP, fiduciary and investment structuring is an asset to the practice. Amy Sheridan is a key support to Guadagnoli and has extensive 409A, 457 and equity structuring expertise.

Trucker Huss, APC is an employee benefits boutique dedicated exclusively to employee benefits, executive compensation and ERISA matters. The firm advises multinational and mid-market employers, plan sponsors and fiduciaries on the design, implementation and administration of tax-qualified retirement plans, health and welfare programs, executive and deferred compensation arrangements, and severance plans. The San Francisco-based team is jointly led by a trio of partners, namely Robert Schwartz, who focuses his practice on multiemployer pension plans, employer withdrawal liability and ERISA litigation; Kevin Nolt, who specializes in qualified retirement plans; and Mary Powell, who counsels employers on the implementation of the CAA and ACA.