Robert focuses his practice on all areas of executive compensation and employee benefits law.
His practice includes equity and non-equity-based incentive arrangements; non-qualified deferred compensation; tax-qualified retirement, health and welfare plans; compensation and benefits issues in the M&A context; multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability; and issues involving ERISA fiduciary responsibilities. He regularly represents clients in interactions with the IRS, DOL and PBGC, and is experienced with the SEC’s executive compensation proxy disclosure rules.
Robert serves as chair of the Board of Trustees of Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services, a psychiatric residential treatment facility for adolescents suffering from severe emotional trauma, mental illness and/or addiction.
Ongoing representations as outside ERISA counsel to public and private companies on all aspects of the design, administration and regulatory compliance of qualified defined benefit and defined contribution retirement, health and welfare benefit plans.
Representation of clients in interactions with the IRS, DOL, and PBGC relating to benefit plans, including plan audits and corrective filings.
Representation on employee benefits matters in the context of corporate transactions, including conducting due diligence reviews, negotiating terms of the sale and purchase agreements and advising on post-closing operation and integration of plans.
Assistance with defense of multiemployer pension plan claims for withdrawal liability against several public and private companies.
Representations of tax-exempt employers as to 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) and 457(f) plans.
Advice as to ERISA fiduciary considerations and plan governance issues.
Management Co-Chair, Subcommittee on Benefit Claims, Employee Benefits Committee, Section of Labor and Employment Law, American Bar Association, 2016-2021
Member, Employee Benefits Committee, Section of Labor and Employment Law, American Bar Association
Chair, Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services
Member, Central Virginia Employee Benefits Council
Selected for inclusion, "Ones to Watch: Mergers and Acquisitions Law," The Best Lawyers in America, 2022, 2023
Named to “Virginia Rising Stars,” Employee Benefits, Super Lawyers, Thompson Reuters, 2017-2019, 2021, 2022