Best Lawyers in America for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
State
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
Jeff Witt is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Tax Law. Jeff practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Jeff Witt since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jeff Witt is held by other lawyers.
Jennifer Eller is co-chair of Groom’s Retirement Services Practice Group and Fiduciary Practice. She’s been with the firm since 1998, beginning as a law clerk, and has been a practicing attorney at Groom since 2000. As a practice group chair, Jenny ensures that the strategic direction and initiatives of the group position Groom to serve the needs of its financial, corporate, and public plan clients. In her practice, she operates from a similar perspective. She advises financial in...
Tom Garth practices in the areas of taxation, corporate and estate tax, estate planning, qualified retirement plan, corporate, mergers and acquisitions, foreign tax planning, securities, and health care. He has practiced before Probate Courts, State Courts, U. S. District Courts, and Tax Courts. Mr. Garth regularly represents clients in the formation of family limited partnerships, LLCs, grantor retained annuity trusts, grantor trusts and other leveraged estate planning opportunities. In addi...
John Meisenhelder has extensive experience providing counsel to large companies with respect to all employee benefits, executive compensation and privacy matters for both tax-exempt and for-profit entities. This includes: (1) Code §401(a) qualified retirement plan design and compliance, including issues specifically affecting cash-balance and hybrid plans; (2) Code §403(b) plan design and compliance and other issues specifically affecting tax-exempt organizations and hospitals, incl...
Mr. Carney's practice is grounded in federal, state, and local tax codes and regulations. He works directly with clients in employee benefits, tax planning, and estate planning. He understands the need to navigate these complex laws while providing options for each unique situation. His practice areas include but are not limited to the following: Employee and welfare benefit plans of private, tax-exempt, and governmental employers Other post-employment benefit trusts Executive compensation Co...
Frank E. Berrodin is a Member of the firm and has been practicing law since 1987. Mr. Berrodin’s practice is devoted primarily to employee benefit and executive compensation issues, particularly the design, drafting and administration of qualified and non-qualified retirement and welfare plans for both taxable and tax-exempt entities. A significant portion of Mr. Berrodin’s practice involves the resolution of disputes that arise between employers and employees regarding the benefi...
Tracy A. Vitols is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Tracy A. practices law in Boston, Massachusetts Best Lawyers has recognized Tracy A. Vitols since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Tracy A. Vitols is held by other lawyers.
Jay G. Maples is a shareholder in Dentons' Birmingham office, where he is a member of the Corporate practice and co-leads the Dentons US Region Aviation and Aerospace team. With his extensive corporate and tax experience, he regularly handles a wide range of complex transactions and issues spanning various industries, including aviation, manufacturing, insurance, banking and financial services, and real estate. Jay's exceptional knowledge and experience in the aviation industry enables him to...
Ellen Goodwin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Ellen practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Ellen Goodwin since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Ellen Goodwin is held by other lawyers.
Howard Shapiro is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Litigation - ERISA and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Howard practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Howard Shapiro since 1993. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Howard Shapiro is held by...
Steve Long leads the firm's Tax and Employee Benefits practice. He has extensive experience working with employers in banking, retail, and technology to establish and maintain retirement plans, executive compensation agreements, stock incentive plans and other employee benefits. Steve also advises charities and other tax-exempt organizations regarding their IRC 403(b) and IRC 457 retirement plans, as well as issues related to compliance with Internal Revenue Service and state regulations conc...
Dana Thrasher specializes in ERISA, regularly advising employers, trustees and service providers concerning qualified retirement plans, non-qualified plans, fringe benefits, welfare benefits and executive compensation issues. She has developed significant expertise in the ERISA/employee benefits practice area, representing a large and diverse client base. She regularly advises clients regarding planning and evaluating benefit programs, establishing and administering employee benefit plans, mo...
Mark L. Stulmaker practices in the areas of employee benefits and taxation, serving as counsel to trustees of public and private pension and health and welfare benefit plans as well as to closely held businesses. He is also involved in estate planning and administration, especially in connection with charitable trusts, foundations, and large retirement plan distributions. Practice Areas Employee Benefits Tax Resources Mark Stulmaker is distinguished by the depth of his experience and knowledg...
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.
