Jackson Lewis P.C.

With an impressive national footprint, Jackson Lewis P.C.has a successful record defending high-value ERISA class action lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions. Aside from defending substantive class action litigation, the team are well-placed to advise on retiree rights, severance plans, benefit plans, and ESOPs. The firm’s extensive client portfolio of employers, plan sponsors, plan administrators, fiduciaries has recently expanded their client base to include food services and energy-related companies. Standout work includes a claims dismissal for MGM which amounted to over 1.6bn assets under management, high exposure ESOP cases, and a precedent-setting case for Nova Southeastern University. The ERISA Litigation Group is co-led by industry veteran Howard Shapiro and René Thorne, who is highly active in the healthcare space. Stacey C.S. Cerrone is a core member of the team focusing on the defense of complex ERISA class actions along with seasoned litigator, Lindsey H. Chopin. New Jersey-based Michael E. Holzapfel has considerable expertise in benefits administration, single-plaintiff lawsuits, federal and state insurance, whereas Robert W. Rachal focuses on ERISA fiduciary, benefits, and executive compensation litigation. Managing principal Charles F. Seemann boasts longstanding experience defending ERISA plans and plan fiduciaries, while Phillip C. Thompson in Kansas specializes on defending employers from ERISA class actions. All members of the team are based in the New Orleans office unless otherwise stated.