December 8, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Morgan Lewis Boasts Coast-to-Coast Employee Benefits Services

Legal firm Morgan Lewis welcomed three partners Tuesday who will “enhance and deepen the firm’s employee benefits and executive compensation services for clients,” according to the firm: Rosina Barker and Jonathan Zimmerman, who will practice in the Washington, DC, office; and  Steven Witmer, who will practice in the Santa Monica, office. All three incoming partners focus on employee benefits, executive compensation, and tax issues for corporations and executive-level individuals.

Barker, Zimmerman, and Witmer assist clients with their qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, health and welfare plans, fiduciary and investment matters, and employment tax and worker classification issues. They advise on complex executive compensation matters and on the benefits and compensation issues arising in mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, and other business transactions.

“I am delighted to welcome our new partners, who offer our clients remarkable depth encompassing a wide range of areas affecting employee benefits,” said Firm Chair Jami McKeon. “Rosina, Jonathan, and Steve will work closely with our strong employee benefits team across the United States to provide our clients with the advice they need in this continually evolving arena.”

Rosina Barker provides counseling on the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), tax, and securities law aspects of executive compensation and employee benefit plans. Her broad practice includes sophisticated defined benefit pension plan issues, fiduciary counseling, and complex executive compensation matters. In the last 12 months alone, Barker has advised clients on the executive compensation and employee benefit plan issues arising from corporate transactions totaling more than $13 billion. Her practice is enhanced by her government service on the tax staff of the US House Ways & Means Committee, where she had primary staff responsibility for all pension and employee benefit legislation. Ms. Barker is a fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel.

Jonathan Zimmerman has a broad-based practice with a concentration on executive compensation, qualified retirement plans, and health and welfare plans. He also advises clients on payroll, withholding, and fringe benefits matters, and has handled federal and state audits regarding all types of compensation. Zimmerman has led compliance reviews of some of the largest qualified plans in the United States to identify plan document and operational errors, and design reasonable correction measures to minimize future audit risk. He also has advised clients on pension annuity purchases totaling more than $1 billion.

Steven Witmer advises companies on qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, health and welfare plans, and other ERISA and tax matters. He has an extensive benefits outsourcing practice, and has negotiated close to 1,000 contracts with payroll and benefits vendors on behalf of plan sponsors. He frequently advises clients on the transfer of plan assets and liabilities, and on other benefit issues arising from dispositions, spinoffs, initial public offerings, and other business transactions up to the multibillion dollar range. Witmer successfully represents clients before the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, including, for example, recently obtaining a significant funding waiver estimated at more than $200 million.

“The skills and practice diversity of this premier group of lawyers – as well as the expansion of our West Coast capabilities – will mesh well with our existing strengths and further enhance our firm’s ability to assist our wide-ranging employee benefits and executive compensation clients,” said Steven Spencer, who leads the firm’s employee benefits and executive compensation practice. “Our new partners and the clients who have been served by them also will benefit greatly from working with our labor and employment, corporate and securities, and investment management lawyers.”

Related Posts

(Video) Menorah Lighting Recap from Palisades Village

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

The annual menorah lighting at Palisades Village was a celebration. @smmirrornews The annual menorah lighting of Palisades Village was a...

Remembering Charles R. Donaldson, Journalist and Beloved Santa Monica College Educator

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

A Legacy of Learning and Community By Catherine Ryan Santa Monica lost a remarkable teacher and community organizer on October...

Film Review: The Holdovers

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

FILM REVIEWTHE HOLDOVERSRated R133 MinutesReleased November 10th Director Alexander Payne loves classic films. He’s a collector of movies. Based out...

(Video) Get in the Holiday Spirit at Santa Monica Place

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

With Free photos with Santa and a Giant Christmas Tree, Santa Monica Place is must visit this season! @smmirrornews With...

New Pizzeria Filling In Former Roca Pizza Location

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

Patrons can expect individual-sized pizzas perfected at Jemma restaurant in Hollywood Chef and restaurateur Jackson Kalb has announced a new...

California Brunch Destination to Open on Ocean Ave

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Santa Monica Debuts the Iconic San Francisco Brunch Eatery to Southern California Food Enthusiasts Renowned California restaurateur Hoyul Steven Choi...

LA Times Unveils Top 101 Restaurants in Los Angeles for 2023 – Westside Gems Shine Bright

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Food Critic Bill Addison’s Culinary Examination Recognizes Outstanding LA Eateries By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles Times food critic Bill...

Second Fatality Linked to Panera’s Charged Lemonade Sparks Legal Action

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Panera Faces Lawsuit Over Caffeinated Beverage Following Tragic Death By Dolores Quintana Panera Bread is under legal scrutiny again as...

Reservable Pickleball Program Launched in Santa Monica

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

The Sport’s Rising Popularity Led to Extended Wait Times at the Courts Pickleball aficionados now have the option to reserve...

Nightly Menorah Lights Coming to Downtown Santa Monica

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

More Details are Coming Soon By Zach Armstrong Hanukahh celebrations are hitting downtown Santa Monica this month at Third Street...

(Video) Multiple International Retailers Now Open at Palisades Village

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Check out the new international brands now with an open shop in Palisades. @smmirrornews Check out the new retailers at...

Highlights from PRIDE Night at ICE at Santa Monica!

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Last week, ICE at Santa Monica dazzled the community with its highly successful annual PRIDE night. The event, filled with...

 (Video) Recap of 12th Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting 

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Venice Beach welcomed the holiday season with festive style @smmirrornews Venice Beach welcomed the holiday season with festive style. #christmas...

Film Review: Priscilla

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

FILM REVIEWPRISCILLARated R113 MinutesReleased November 3rd Adapted from Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir Elvis and Me, this movie illuminates Priscilla’s life...

SMMUSD to Host Series of Holiday Concerts and Events

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

The Public Is Welcome at Little to No Cost The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s secondary schools’ visual and performing...