Best Lawyers in District of Columbia, United States for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
David is the Managing Partner of Winston’s D.C. Office. He advises clients on the management of a variety of benefit plans, and regularly counsels on executive compensation arrangements. Clients describe him as “very knowledgeable, responsive, and practical” and “recommend David to any client seeking an employee benefits counsel” (Chambers USA). Please read more here: https://www.winston.com/en/who-we-are/professionals/rogers-david-e.html
David Godofsky is a partner in the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Group of Alston & Bird. He is chair of the Retirement and Benefits Committee of the firm, and during his tenure as Leader of the Employee Benefits Group (including ERISA Litigation) the firm was named “Law Firm of the Year” by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® for ERISA Litigation in 2016 and Employee Benefits (ERISA) in 2015 and 2017. David is part of the firm's team of litigators which repres...
Joanna Kerpen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Joanna, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joanna is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mark L. Stember is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Litigation - ERISA. Mark L., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
George Tsai is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. George, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which George is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Seth J. Safra is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Seth J., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Seth J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
David Levine is co-chair of the firm’s employer-focused practice. He advises plan sponsors, advisors, and other service providers on a wide range of employee benefits matters, from retirement and executive compensation to health and welfare plan matters. David advises on the design and redesign of complex retirement, executive, and health and welfare plans; ongoing, day-to-day counseling of plan sponsors; in-depth compliance reviews of corporate and governmental benefit programs; altern...
Thomas M. Cryan, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Thomas M., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
An expert on ERISA’s fiduciary rules and government regulation of health insurance, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Jon Breyfogle counsels numerous financial services firms, health insurers, and their D.C.-based trade associations on retirement and health matters. His practice includes advice on regulatory and legislative strategies, compliance, and defense of federal and state investigations. Jon has testified before Congress and at Department of Labor hearings on both retirem...
Damian Myers, based in Washington DC, is a partner in the Corporate practice group. He represents public and private companies and nonprofit organizations on matters related to employee benefits and executive compensation. My focus I provide ongoing advice to clients on a broad range of compliance issues, including ERISA, tax, corporate, and securities laws and regulations. Leading a team of ERISA attorneys, I focus on the design and administration of health and welfare benefit plans. I advis...
George Sepsakos is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. George, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which George is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mr. Savage joined Ivins, Phillips & Barker's in 1963. Since 1968, before the development and enactment of ERISA, Mr. Savage’s practice has focused primarily on the benefits field for many years. He has been the senior partner in the firm’s Executive Compensation and Benefits practice. Mr. Savage has had extensive experience in advising clients on plan design and operational matters and in handling a comprehensive spectrum of legislative, regulatory, and compliance and controve...
Scott Mayland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Scott, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Peter Daines is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Peter, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Elizabeth C. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Elizabeth C., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.