Robert J. Lichtenstein counsels publicly and privately held enterprises in human resources, executive compensation, and employee benefits issues. Bob handles complex matters involving equity and incentive compensation; employment, retention and severance arrangements; Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) compliance; and qualified retirement, pension, and profit-sharing plans as well as employee stock ownership plans; and related federal tax matters. He represents clients before the US Internal Revenue Service and US Department of Labor, and in litigation involving benefits disputes. He also represents senior executives on employment, compensation, and equity agreements and arrangements.
Bob advises on benefits and executive compensation issues that arise during mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, and spinoffs—including private equity transactions. To date, Bob and his Morgan Lewis colleagues have experience representing senior management teams in more than 150 transactions involving public to private, leveraged buyouts and other acquisitions by private equity funds ranging in size from $100 million to more than $46 billion, as well as sales of portfolio companies and public company mergers.
Bob also advises on the design and/or amendment of benefit plans and programs, including retention and severance arrangements for senior management, and the design and administration of cash incentive, severance, and equity programs. He works closely with boards of directors, compensation committees, and administrators to address benefit plan fiduciary issues, compliance procedures, succession planning, and general governance matters. He helps clients develop strategies to attract and retain executives, while also representing executives and management groups in employment and private equity matters.
He is a member of the board of directors for Women Against Abuse, is active with the Federation Allied Jewish Appeal, and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Villanova University Law School, and Penn State Law. He is also a former director and chair of the governance committee of a now-sold New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) company, a former board member of a private manufacturing company, and the trustee (and controlling shareholder) of an investment management business.
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Benefits, Law360 (2022)
Recommended, Labor and employment: Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional, The Legal 500 US (2022–2024)
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)
Ranked, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Pennsylvania, Chambers USA (2020–2024)
Band 1, Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation, Pennsylvania, Chambers USA (2005–2019)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Philadelphia (1995–2025)
Recognized, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2022, 2023)
Recognized, Acritas Star Lawyer (2017)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, Employee Benefits, Philadelphia (2012)
AV Rated
Recognized, Best Lawyers in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Magazine
Recognized, Who's Who in America; Who's Who in American Law; Who's Who in the East; International Who's Who
2005 BTI Client Service All-Star Team for Law Firms
Fellow, American College of Employee Benefits Counsel
Former Chair, Philadelphia Bar Association, Employee Benefits and Pension Committees
Member, American Bar Association, Tax Section, Employee Benefits Committee
Adjunct Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Villanova University Law School, and Penn State Law