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.
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.
Listed, Who’s Who Legal: Labour, Employment, & Benefits (2023, 2024)
Member, Law360, Practice Group of the Year, Benefits (2022)
Listed, The Legal Intelligencer, Distinguished Leader (2020)
Member, Law Firm of the Year, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Chambers USA (2019)
Member, Best Lawyers – Best Law Firms, Law Firm of the Year, Employee Benefits (ERISA Law) (2019)
Band 1, Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation, Pennsylvania, Chambers USA (2005–2019)
Ranked, Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation, Pennsylvania, Chambers USA (2019–2023)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law: Philadelphia (1991–2020, 2022, 2024, 2025)
Member, Modern Healthcare, Largest Healthcare Firm (2016–2021)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Philadelphia Employee Benefits Lawyer of the Year (2010)
Listed, BTI Consulting Group, Client Service All-Stars (2014)
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
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the selection methodology for the above awards can be found here.