Groom Law Group is proud to announce that we were, once again, the #1 ranked Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation law firm in Washington, DC according to the 2011 Chambers USA guide. We are also one of two firms that received a #1 nationwide ranking for Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation and we remain ranked nationally as a top firm for ERISA Litigation.
THE FIRM: This benefits boutique is the largest group of its kind in the country, and maintains a reputation as one of the most recognizable brands in the market. The practice is divided into nine specialty subsets, including – but not limited to – plan funding and restructuring, policy and legislation, and multiemployer/Taft-Hartley plans. International benefits has also been an area of interest for the firm of late, particularly with respect to Puerto Rico plans, including ERISA and US tax issues. This combination of subject experts and unique expertise appeals to clients ranging from large Fortune 500 companies to smaller local employers. Groom Law Group has an ERISA litigation practice comprising ten attorneys, all skilled in handling controversies arising from alleged fiduciary breaches, 401(k) plans, ESOP matters, retiree health plans and cash balance plans, class actions and multidistrict matters.
Client Service: “We have a close working relationship with the team so that it feels almost a part of our organization. These attorneys are forthcoming, available and conscientious about our account. We’re always reassured working with Groom Law Group.”
Commercial Awareness: “Groom Law Group has seen it all. The team has a relationship with the IRS and has advised so many similar organizations that the attorneys just know what’s going on, and how to deal with matters quickly.”
Congratulations to the ten attorneys who were individually recognized!
Gary Ford has enjoyed an “illustrious career” as a member of the firm’s plan funding and restructuring group. He has recently represented several employers in negotiations with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) regarding Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
As the head of the firm’s plan design and taxation group, Louis Mazawey is unquestionably a leader in this space. “He’s fabulous,” sources say.
David Levine is another principal contact at Groom. As a member of its governmental plans practice, he specializes in qualified and nonqualified retirement plans and tax-exempt retirement programs.
John McGuiness heads the executive compensation group while Stephen Saxon manages the firm’s fiduciary responsibility team.
Andrée St Martin also focuses on ERISA Title 1 issues, including fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transactions, and is an increasingly visible player in this industry.
Thomas Gigot receives enthusiastic praise from sources: “I’d go to Groom in a flash; I hold Thomas in high regard.”
Michael Prame instills confidence in those observing his work: “Mike is a very smart ERISA litigator. I just don’t think I’d bet against a guy that capable, working at a place that has such a marquee list of employee benefits clients.”
Commentators describe Edward Scallet as “first rate in his field.” He worked alongside Lars Golumbic in obtaining a dismissal of a putative class action lawsuit against New York State United Teachers and its Member Benefits Trust challenging the receipt of fees in connection with an endorsement of a particular group annuity product.
