1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006-5811
T: 202-861-6600
F: 202-659-4503
Practices
Areas of Focus
Related Information
Education
- J.D., University of Texas Law School
- B.B.A., cum laude, Southern Methodist University
- Certified Public Accountant
Bar & Court Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Louisiana
- New York
- Texas
David W. Powell has worked on tax and ERISA issues relating to all types of employee pension and welfare benefit plans for over 26 years. He specializes in qualified plans of public companies including 401(k), profit sharing, pension and cash balance plans, and international benefits tax issues. Mr. Powell is a leading expert on the subject of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) for public companies, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, including SERPs and other types of top hat and executive compensation arrangements and Code section 409A, plans for tax exempt organizations, including churches, and plans for governmental employers. Mr. Powell speaks and writes frequently on these subjects from the perspective of both employers and financial service providers.
Honors & Distinctions
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits Law (2006-2012)
- Listed, The Legal 500 US, Tax Law, Employee Benefits (2009-2011)
- Listed, Super Lawyers, Employee Benefits and Tax (2011)
- Chair, Exempt Organization and Governmental Plans Subcommittee, Employee Benefits Committee, American Bar Association Section of Taxation
- U.S. Editor, Journal of the International Employee Benefits Lawyers Association
- Co-Editor, 457 Answer Book
- Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of Deferred Compensation (Aspen Publishers)
- Author, BNA Tax Management Portfolio No. 372, Church and Governmental Plans
Professional Affiliations
- American College of Employee Benefits Counsel
- Former President, Washington Employee Benefits Forum
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- National Association of Public Pension Attorneys
- Private Sector Advisory Committee, OECD Working Party on Private Pensions
- Bar Association of the District of Columbia
- New York State Bar Association
- Texas Bar Association
- Louisiana Bar Association
