Groom Law Group, Chartered, which is based in Washington DC, is one of the few boutique firms which specializes in employee benefits, health, and retirement law. The firm engages in a wide range of matters, including high-level policy work; the employers and sponsors practice group is co-chaired by David Levine and Malcolm Slee. Among a wide variety of matters, Levine regularly engages in enhancing alternative investment access in 401(k) plans, while Slee specializes in advising clients on issues concerning ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and related laws surrounding qualified retirement and welfare plans. Jon Breyfogle is a key name in the team, alongside Lisa Campbell, a co-chair of the health services practice. Breyfogle has notable experience of testifying before Congress and at DOL hearings on retirement and health issues. Meanwhile, Campbell represents numerous pharmacy benefit managers and their employers or plan clients in complying with regulatory requirements. Bolstering the team, Mark Lofgren often represents clients in designing both tax-qualified and unqualified plans. All individuals are based in Washington DC.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has one of the most well-respected employee benefits and executive compensation practices at a full-service law firm. The practice is headed by Craig Bitman in New York. Bitman is proficient in advising clients on complying with fiduciary duties and on compliance surrounding compensation plans, health and welfare benefit plans, and equity compensations. Amy Pocino Kelly, the deputy practice leader, is based in Philadelphia - she is proficient in representing plan sponsors in audit and correction matters before the IRS, DOL, and Pensions Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Rosina Barker is experienced in executive compensation, especially regarding the Internal Revenue Code and Section 409A compliance. Jonathan Zimmerman is adept in matters surrounding ERISA compliance and the Internal Revenue Code. A key contact for plan sponsors, Althea Day counsels both multiemployer funds and contributing employers on matters surrounding multiemployer plans. Barker, Zimmerman, and Day are all based in Washington DC. In Pittsburgh, Elizabeth Goldberg handles DOL ERISA investigations and conducts internal audits to minimize potential liabilities. Also in Pittsburg, Michael Gorman is particularly proficient in advising clients concerning tax-qualified retirement plans and welfare benefit plans.

The employee benefits and executive compensation team at Proskauer Rose LLP has multifaceted capabilities, advising clients on both complex matters that large organizations face on a day-to-day basis, as well as high value business transactions. The firm is well-known for having a strong geographic focus on the East Coast, particularly in Washington DC and New York. In Washington DC, Seth Safra acts as the practice head and the point of contact for many Fortune 500 companies.. Justin Alex is adept at advising clients on single-employer and multiemployer pension plans. Alex is also based in Washington DC. Working from New York, Michael Album focuses his practice on the full range of executive compensation matters. Robert Projansky, also working from New York, specializes in working on employee benefit matters within the entertainment industry. In New Orleans, Jennifer Rigterink is a specialist in employee benefit tax and ERISA issues. In New York, Katrina McCann regularly assists on retirement and welfare plans.

McDermott Will & Emery LLP has a well-regarded employee benefits and executive compensation practice that specializes in both plan design work, as well as offering support for complex corporate M&A transactions. In Boston, practice head Andrew Liazos is a key contact for numerous Fortune 500 companies. In December 2022, the Boston office was strengthened with the arrival of Alden Bianchi, who is a standout talent in designing health and welfare plans. Working from the Chicago office, Todd Solomon often represents clients regarding ERISA fiduciary issues and employee benefits issues. Also supporting the Chicago office, Jeffrey Holdvogt assists clients with ERISA fiduciary and plan investment matters. In Dallas, Allison Wilkerson excels in designing qualified retirement plans, including pension plans and 401(k)s. In September 2023, Kate Vera, an experienced practitioner in executive compensation issues in the context of bankruptcy, restructuring, and insolvency, joined the New York office.

 

With offices in California, New York, Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts, and New York, Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s employee benefits and executive compensation team is well placed to advise on a diverse range of state and national employment legislations in industries with unique specialized employment legal requirements, such as healthcare and construction. Diane Dygert chairs the department from the Chicago office, and is well regarded for 'communicating complex issues in a clear and practical way'. In the same office, Jennifer Kraft is a strong choice for clients in the healthcare, life sciences, and pharmaceutical industries, while Benjamin Conley has strong experience in counseling clients regarding the Affordable Care Act. Also in Chicago, Jon Karelitz assists clients in implementing and administering pension and 401(k) plans. In the Seattle office, Liz Deckman drafts and implements health and welfare plans, in addition to all types of tax-qualified retirement plans and trusts. In Los Angeles, Mitchel Whitehead is particularly knowledgeable in acting for financial services clients.

The Winston & Strawn LLP employee benefits and executive compensation team plan has an impressive track record of work on range of complex matters, touching on private exchange medical benefits, employee benefits in captive insurance, and fiduciary governance best practices. The team has a strong presence in Chicago, where Joe Adams co-heads the practice. While Adams represents clients in many industries, he is a regular choice for clients in the healthcare industry. Scott Landau co-heads the practice from New York. Susan Nash is experienced in a wide range of works, among which includes the design and amendment of defined contribution plans and health and welfare plans. Anne Becker advises on a wide range of matters, including pension plans and 401(k) plans. Amy Gordon is well versed in designing service provider agreements, providing fiduciary training, and plan investments. In Washington DC, David Rogers has recently advised clients concerning their qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, health and welfare plans, and fringe benefit plans. All individuals mentioned are based in Chicago, unless stated otherwise.

ArentFox Schiff, known as a ‘trusted partner’ for clients, is well-regarded for its 'deep knowledge and experience across the board', acting for 'sophisticated' clients. The practice mainly operates from Washington DC and New York, advising a wide clientele of employers, benefit plans, and plan fiduciaries. Quana Jew heads the group from Washington DC. Jew is an expert in a wide range of plans; she serves as the key contact for Vox Media and its eighteen editorial brands, including The Verge, Polygon, and NowThis. In New York, Mamta Shah is frequently trusted by clients on their retirement and health plans and benefit programs. Meanwhile, the ‘very experienced and reliable’ Washington DC-based Bill Charyk is often retained by financial services and manufacturers to advise them on all their employee benefits plans.

Drawing on the significant strengths of its international network, Baker McKenzie LLP is one of the best-equipped firms to provide employee benefits and executive compensation services to major cross-border clients. In the US, the practice has a robust presence in both the West Coast and East Coast. In San Francisco, Barbara Klementz, chair of the North American compensation practice, is adept at amending stock incentives and employee stock purchase plans for clients in multiple, international jurisdictions. At the same office, Sinead Kelly bolsters the firm’s compensation practice with her specialisms in both US executive compensation and global equity. Also in San Francisco, Denise Glagau often works with Kelly on advising clients on employee share purchase plans and executive share programs. At the Chicago office, Maura Ann McBreen often advises clients on cross-border equity-based incentives, while Angélique Poret-Kahn is active across employee reward grants and stock option grants for international employees.

DLA Piper LLP (US)'s dedicated employee benefits and executive compensation team handles a wide range of both design and transactional benefits matters. In Washington DC, Rita Patel leads the practice. Patel oversees many large everyday compliance matters for large corporate clients, including the recent implementation of ERISA covered severance plans and benefit claims. In Chicago, Richard Ashley is experienced with designing and implementing executive compensation programs, including plans which emphasize the implementation of ESG related incentives. Erin Sweeney, working from Washington DC, is a point of contact for large employers in a variety of industries on redesigning existing benefit plans in compliance with ERISA. Also based in Washington DC, Todd Castleton handles retirement plans and various fiduciary governance matters.

Eversheds Sutherland is well regarded for its expertise in the global financial services industry w, and provides employee benefits and executive compensation services for both US and international clients. Based in Washington DC, Adam Cohen, an expert in tax matters, leads the practice to advise nationally recognized brands in a wide range of industries and jurisdictions. Some of Cohen’s work includes advising on international equity compensation programs, as well as 401(k) and employee compensation matters which are subject to special tax and other legal requirements for international employees. Washington DC-based Carol McClarnon specializes in advising financial and insurance institutions on ERISA issues. Counsel Laura Taylor, also based in Washington DC, provides support on tax-qualified retirement plans, among other matters. In Atlanta, Brenna Clark counsels clients on a wide range of issues, including option and surrogacy policy, compensation clawback, and annual proxy compensation disclosure review.

The employee benefits and executive compensation group at BakerHostetler is led by Susan Lubow in Columbus and Jennifer Mills and Cleveland. Lubow has great expertise in ERISA and benefit plan structuring matters, while Mills has recently been engaged in providing guidance to various clients concerning how their health plans could be affected by Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Working from Cleveland, Ann Caresani advises clients on a variety of employee retirement, health, and welfare benefits matters. As leader of the Columbus office tax group, Seth Hanft is greatly experienced with benefit-focused initiatives to reduce operating costs. Stacy Wilhite, also based in Columbus, assists clients in plan design and compliance with ERISA, Affordable Care Act, and various other regulations. In the Dallas office, Stefan Smith works on various health and welfare plans, as well as equity-based compensations.

While the employee benefits and executive compensation team at Ballard Spahr LLP advises clients in a wide range of industries, the firm particularly excels in the healthcare, hospitality, and pharmaceutical sectors. Some notable clients include American Red Cross, Main Line Health and Temple University Health System. The practice is led by Brian Pinheiro in Philadelphia; he has a track record of work on matters ranging from 401(k) plans to employee stock ownership plans, to ERISA fiduciary advice, among a vast range of other services. Supporting Pinheiro on many cases, Edward Leeds is also based in the Philadelphia office. Leeds assists clients in providing health benefit programs, pharmacy benefit design, and retirement plans. In Washington DC, Finn Pressly provides counsel on various issues, including domestic partner benefits, retiree health plans, and wellness plans.

Well regarded for its clientele of large Silicon Valley technology companies, Greenberg Traurig LLP offers benefits and compensation services as part of its labor and employment practice. The practice is co-headed by Magan Ray and Mindy Leathe. Based in Silicon Valley, Ray is involved in the design of retirement plans, and health and welfare benefit plans for the practice’s large technology clients. From the Miami office, Leathe focuses on executive compensation and employee benefits. Splitting his time between Northern Virginia and Washington DC, Ian A. Herbert supports Ray on many of her matters with technology companies. Stephanie Ahmad, in the Silicon Valley office, often work on the design and implementation of retirement plans and health and welfare plans.

 

The team at K&L Gates is headed by Rikki Sapolich-Krol and Karrie Johnson Diaz. Based in San Francisco, Sapolich-Krol is experienced with designing tax-qualified, tax-advantaged, and nonqualified retirement plans. Diaz, working from Seattle, often counsels clients regarding their deferred savings plans, retirement savings plans, and employee savings plans. One example of Diaz’s recent works is the development of a new equity compensation plan for a client which converted from a limited liability company to a corporation. Lauren Crossett joined the Pittsburgh office from Dentons in January 2023.

The employment and benefits team at Mayer Brown has strong experience in acting for global financial institutions. The team engages in traditional design work, including qualified and welfare plans, as well as funds related work, for example, the firm recently created a lifetime income investment fund for a trillion-dollar defined contribution plan market. The practice is led from Palo Alto by Maureen Gorman, who advises clients on a wide range of issues, including design and redesign of 401(k) plans. Erin Cho, working from Washington DC, assists international clients with redesigning and restating deferred compensation plans. In Chicago, Hillary August advises clients on pensions, 401(k), and nonqualified plan issues.

McGuireWoods LLP’s tax and employee benefits team provides advice concerning implementation and compliance of various executive compensation, retirement, and health and benefit plans. Atlanta-based Gerald Thomas co-heads the practice with Taylor French, who works from the Charlotte office. In Chicago, Carolyn Trenda is a key point of contact for businesses which want to check their compliance with the SECURE 2.0 act. Also in Chicago, Katie Rak is adept in representing both government and private clients in implementing pension plans and initiatives. In the Charlotte office, Allison Tanner advises employers on employee benefit and executive compensation matters which relate to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.

The Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP employee benefits and executive compensation team often handles executive employment issues, including equity incentives, executive employment and separation agreements, and deferred compensation. Edmund Emerson heads the practice. Emerson is adept at providing clients with general advice concerning tax qualified defined contribution plans and executive compensation matters. Scott Wagner regularly advises large multinational companies on deferred compensation and health and welfare issues, whereas Ryan Gorman is experienced in providing 401(k), 403(b), and 457(f) plans to non-profit and quasi-governmental entities. Jennifer Cote provides support on a large variety of matters, including a recent matter concerning withdrawal liability and union pensions. All mentioned individuals are based in Atlanta.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP focuses on the technology, energy, financial, and real estate industries. The firm’s executive compensation and benefits practice offers relevant services for both plan design and plan compliance. Jessica Lutrin, based in Austin, heads the practice. Lutrin is experienced in advising foreign clients on whether their pension programs are exempt from tax in various international jurisdictions. Los Angeles-based Mark Jones specializes in cross-border equity; some of his recent work includes designing employee stock options and restricted stock units. Peter Hunt, working from New York, is well-versed in amending stock incentive plans and providing regulatory guidance concerning pension and 401(k) plans. In San Francisco, Christine Richardson advises clients on various 401(k) plan issues, such as transitioning the plan to new platforms and advising on compliance with the SECURE 2.0 legislation. Cindy Schlaefer retired from practice in January 2023.

The Steptoe LLP employee benefits practice specializes in advising clients on ERISA issues. The practice is based in Washington DC and co-headed by Melanie Nussdorf and Paul Ondrasik. Nussdorf specializes in representing financial institutions on fiduciary issues, such as prohibited sanctions exemption questions under ERISA, particularly concerning financial products and services. Ondrasik is well experienced in ERISA class actions and matters involving fiduciary responsibility. Eric Serron often provides advice to clients regarding their ERISA compliance and representation in DOL investigations. All mentioned individuals are based in Washington DC.

The ‘very capable’ employee benefits and executive compensation team at Thompson Hine LLP advises large corporate clients on compliance, integration, and redesign . Cleveland-based Julia Ann Love heads the practice, with a strong record in helping clients navigate ‘the legislative minefield’ of various healthcare mandates, including the recent SECURE 2.0 Act. Laura Ryan, ‘extremely knowledgeable about US benefits and 401(k) plans’, is a key name, while Kim Wilcoxon and Timothy Brown are well-versed in the benefits plan space. Shane Starkey is adept at advising clients on defined pension plans, defined contribution plans, and health and welfare plans. Washington DC-based Dominic DeMatties focuses on 401(k) plans and ERISA matters.

The ‘responsive, knowledgeable, and reliable’ team at Vedder Price advises on a variety of executive compensation and employee benefit plans. Christopher Collins, head of the practice, has recently provided advice to clients concerning several specialty benefit issues, including severance pay plans, supplemental unemployment benefit plans, and supplemental dependent care programs. The ‘very intelligent’ Thomas Hancuch is adept at advising employers on compliance with regulation changes which may affect their employee benefit and health and welfare plans. Meanwhile, Kelly Starr is a key contact for manufacturing and distribution clients. All individuals mentioned are based in Chicago.

The ‘very responsible’ team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is led by Anthony Eppert from the Austin office, and Jessica Agostinho in Washington DC. Eppert recently assisted clients in designing employee stock ownership plans and working on their employer stock funds within 401(k) plans. Agostinho often gives compliance advice, and recently worked on the termination of a defined benefit plan. Also working from Washington DC, the ‘extremely responsive’ Michelle Lewis advises clients on retirement and health plan compliance concerning SECURE 2.0 and CARES regulatory changes. Scott Austin retired from the firm in October 2023.

Sullivan & Worcester LLP advises on a range of tax-related issues which arise from employment and benefit matters. David Guadagnoli leads the practice. Described as ‘an exceptional resource’ for clients, Guadagnoli has strong experience in advising on tax-qualified retirement plans, particularly 401(k) and 403(b) plans. Amy Sheridan focuses on regulatory and tax requirements for welfare plans. Sheridan’s recent work includes assisting household employers with tax-qualified contribution plans. Both individuals are based in Boston.

Troutman Pepper‘s employee benefits and executive compensation practice is well regarded for its ability to design and review plans for large finance, manufacturing, and technology clients. In Charlotte, James Earle heads the practice. Earle acts as one of the key contacts for Bank of America Corporation regarding their employee benefit and equity compensation plans. Also in the Charlotte office, Lynne Wakefield and Lydia Parker recently assisted a client in creating an excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangement, while Emily Zimmer excels in advising large financial institutions on a broad range of benefit programs. In Atlanta, Jeffery Banish is working on qualified pension and 401(k) plans, nonqualified deferred compensation under 409(a) and 457(a), and welfare plans. In the Richmond office, Lynda Crouse is well-versed in executive compensation matters, including the design of both short-term and long-term incentive programs and equity awards.