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Robert L. Abramowitz

Partner

Robert L. Abramowitz counsels clients on employee benefits matters, including fiduciary requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), qualified pension and profit-sharing plans, and executive compensation issues. Bob also advises on matters related to flexible compensation programs, health and welfare plans, retiree health plans, and managed healthcare programs. He has experience representing clients in proceedings before the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS), US Department of Labor (DOL), and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

blog contributor

All Things FinReg

blog contributor

ML BeneBits
Covering a full range of Benefits and Compensation Topics

blog contributor

Health Law Scan
Legal Insights and Perspectives for the Healthcare Industry

    Extended Profile

    Bob works with companies and board compensation committees to design and, when necessary, amend benefit plans and programs, including cash incentive, retention, and severance arrangements for senior executives. He also advises tax-exempt organizations and their compensation committees on executive compensation matters, including intermediate sanctions. Bob also advises on defined benefit pension plan terminations, and defined benefit pension plan de-risking—including annuity buyouts and lump sum cashouts.

    Bob lectures and publishes frequently on a range of employee benefits topics. He served as a lecturer with the Villanova University Law School Graduate Tax Program from 1986 to 2001.

    Education

    • Harvard Law School, 1974, J.D.
    • Yale University, 1971, B.A.

    Admissions

    • Pennsylvania
    • New Jersey

    Awards and Affiliations

    Member, Law Firm of the Year, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Chambers USA (2019)

    Member, Law Firm of the Year, Employee Benefits (ERISA Law), US News/Best Lawyers – Best Law Firms (2019)

    Band 1, Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation, Pennsylvania, Chambers USA (2005–2019)

    Ranked, Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation, Pennsylvania, Chambers USA (2019)

    Recognized, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Philadelphia, The Best Lawyers in America (1991–2020)

    Named, Modern Healthcare’s “Largest Healthcare Firm” (2016–2019)

    Philadelphia Employee Benefits "Lawyer of the Year," The Best Lawyers in America (2010)

    Recognized, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2004–2017)

    Recognized, BTI Client Service All-Stars (2014)

    Recognized, Who’s Who in America; Who’s Who in American Law

    Former Chair, Philadelphia Bar Association, Pension Committee; American Bar Association, Health Law Section, Employee Benefits Interest Group

    Charter Fellow, American College of Employee Benefits Counsel

    Fellow, American College of Tax Counsel

    Member, Bloomberg BNA Compensation Planning Advisory Board

    Publications

    6/27/2019 - Texas Mandates Drug Price Transparency, ML BeneBits

    6/18/2019 - New Texas Law Mandating Drug Price Transparency Considered Among Strongest in Nation, Health Law Scan

    12/13/2018 - IRS Provides Relief to 403(b) Plans for Improperly Excluding Part-Time Employees, ML BeneBits

    8/23/2018 - Short-Term Gain, Long-Term Pain?

    7/20/2018 - New Jersey Enacts Law to Eliminate Surprise Medical Bills

    7/12/2018 - Recent New Jersey Legislation Affects Out-of-Network Health Services, ML BeneBits

    12/21/2017 - Tax Exempt Organizations: Year-End Considerations in Response to New IRC Section 4960, ML BeneBits

    9/29/2017 - New Developments in 403(b) and 401(k) Fee Litigation, ML BeneBits

    2/3/2017 - President Takes Action on Dodd-Frank and the DOL Fiduciary Duty Rule, ML BeneBits

    6/14/2016 - The Final DOL Fiduciary Rule—Considerations for Plan Sponsors

    4/26/2016 - Regulators Release Revised Proposed Executive Compensation Rules, ML BeneBits

    4/26/2016 - Regulators Release Revised Proposed Executive Compensation Rules, All Things FinReg

    2/12/2016 - DOL Focuses Attention on Benefit Payment Practices of DB Plans, ML BeneBits

    8/12/2015 - Cadillac Tax Blues: IRS Issues More Guidance on the “Cadillac Tax”, ML BeneBits

    9/17/2014 - ERISA at 40: Successful Middle Age or Midlife Crisis?

    7/10/2013 - Employee Benefits Issues Post-DOMA

    4/17/2013 - New Opinion and Advisory Program for Pre-Approved 403(b) Plans

    4/1/2013 - Expanded Guidance from IRS on 403(b) Plans

    10/10/2012 - IRS Guidance on Additional Medicare Tax

    4/11/2012 - Certiorari Denied in Case of Delayed Distribution of Benefits

    3/23/2010 - Introduction to Defined Benefit Plans

    View more...

    News

    2/21/2019 - Morgan Lewis Launches Health Law Scan: Insights and Perspectives on the Healthcare Sector

    2/4/2014 - Ten Morgan Lewis Lawyers Named BTI Client Service All-Stars Marking a BTI Record

    Events

    10/25/2016 - 2016 Plan Sponsor Basics: Plan Termination Issues

    6/14/2016 - The DOL’s Fiduciary Rule: What Is It, and How Will It Affect Your Plan?

    9/17/2014 - ERISA at 40: Successful Middle Age or Midlife Crisis?

    9/30/2012 - Association of Independent Research Institutes’ 51st Annual Meeting