Groom maintained Chambers USA’s highest nationwide ranking in Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation and continues to be the only top ranked firm in Washington, D.C. in field in the publication’s new 2021 guide.
Groom was also highly ranked in Chambers USA’s nationwide ERISA Litigation category and several of the firm’s lawyers received individual rankings and client accolades.
Specializing in all aspects of benefits, health and retirement law, Groom was founded in the wake of a landmark regulatory development—the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. With over 85 attorneys practicing in the field, Groom has the largest ERISA and benefits practice in the United States, solving complicated legal issues for a variety of clients in finance, retirement, health care, and the public sector. Informed by decades of experience, Groom’s widely-recognized litigation practice maneuvers the complex, dynamic landscape of employer, health, and pension-related litigation to successfully represent clients in federal and state courts, arbitrations, and government investigations across the country.
Chambers describes Groom as being “… widely praised for its handling of a broad array of tax and benefit issues. Highly sought after for its well-established connections to governmental entities and its specialized expertise in matters such as executive compensation, fiduciary responsibility, and plan funding and restructuring. Offers a wealth of experience with regulatory issues affecting plans, including Department of Labor investigations.”
Individual Lawyer Ranking
Jennifer Eller
Chambers says: Jennifer Eller has a broad employee benefits practice, which includes advising clients on regulatory investigations and compliance.
Sources say: “She has a great depth of knowledge and her bedside manner is very strong.”
Lars Golumbic
Chambers says: Lars Golumbic is noted for his proficient handling of ERISA class actions involving alleged breaches of fiduciary duties as well as Department of Labor investigations. He acts on behalf of plan sponsors, trustees and fiduciaries, among others, and is particularly knowledgeable about ESOPs.
Sources say: He is “the premier ESOP litigator in the country – there is no one who knows more about ESOPs than Lars” and that he is “surefooted and competent in handling ERISA disputes.”
Daniel Hogans
Chambers says: Daniel Hogans frequently assists clients with benefits plan compliance, which includes advising on IRC Section 409A.
Sources say: “He takes his Treasury experience and leverages that into being able to advise clients on the regulatory processes in a unique way” and that “he has a really deep understanding of the regulatory provisions.”
Christine Keller
Chambers says: Christine Keller is “very knowledgeable and has strong expertise and an incredible client manner,” according to sources. She is particularly well known for her expertise in health and welfare plans.
Sources say: “She knows welfare plans backwards and forwards, so she is able to very quickly turn around and explain the rules relevant to a question in a short time frame” and that “she is very plugged into the IRS and on top of regulations and guidance.”
David Levine
Chambers says: David Levine wins praise for his technical proficiency in employee benefits and executive compensation matters. He assists clients with all aspects of plan design, compliance and operation.
Sources say: “He is a real thought leader, incredibly client-focused, and is able to really pull together the strands of the legal issue and lay out an array of options so the client can make a decision.”
Louis Mazawey
Chambers says: Louis Mazawey enjoys a great reputation for his wide-ranging expertise in employee benefits and compensation. He provides counsel on the design and administration of a broad array of benefits and compensation plans.
Sources say: “Clients reach out to him on very novel and cutting-edge issues, as he is able to come up with unique and innovative solutions.” Another reports, “He is great to rely on for particularly thorny IRS questions.”
Michael Prame
Chambers says: Michael Prame handles Department of Labor investigations as well as ERISA class action suits.
Sources say: “He is an excellent lawyer with good judgment.”
Andrée St. Martin
Chambers says: Andrée St. Martin advises clients on a wide range of employee benefits and executive compensation matters, including fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transactions.
Sources say: “She is excellent in financial services matters and very knowledgeable about Department of Labor work.”
What Clients Say About Groom
Clients appreciate that “the firm has a great depth of knowledge and the right people to answer any kind of question.”
Clients say that the team is “very practical and knowledgeable.”
One source states: “They are consummate professionals and give great legal advice.”
Another source notes that the firm is “very good at ERISA Litigation.”
Chambers USA is a publication released by Chambers & Partners, a premier research organization and publisher of legal directories. It provides rankings of law firms, individuals and departments by assessing technical legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness, and client service
