Dechert Adds Further Depth to Employee Benefits Practice with New York Partner

New York – Dechert LLP has added distinguished partner Steven W. Rabitz to its employee benefits and executive compensation group. He is based in the firm’s New York office.

 Rabitz focuses his practice on the fiduciary responsibility, prohibited transaction and funding rules of ERISA and related provisions of the tax code, and specifically how they relate to financial products and services offered by broker-dealers, banks, futures commission merchants, investment managers, mutual fund complexes, alternative fund sponsors and other financial market participants, as well as how they impact retirement plan consumers of those services. He also represents both private and public companies – on U.S. Federal income tax, securities and other legal matters in a variety of matters involving compensation and benefits, as well as cross-border related considerations.

 “I've known Steve for years. He's an extremely creative, high-energy attorney with an extensive presence among financial institutions and ERISA practitioners alike,” said Andrew L. Oringer, co-chair of Dechert’s employee benefits and executive compensation practice. “We are confident that having Steve here at Dechert will further entrench our practice as a go-to fiduciary practice in the market for years to come.” 

Rabitz added, “Dechert’s outstanding global reputation and its strategic client representations were two key factors in my decision to join the firm as was the opportunity to work with recognized first rate practitioners in the field like Andrew Oringer, David Jones and the entire team. I am looking forward to collaborating across the firm on behalf of my existing clients and bringing my extensive experience to current and future firm engagements.”  

Dechert’s employee benefits and executive compensation practice group serves a wide variety of clients, including large multinational corporations, high-technology start-ups, and some of the world’s largest financial organizations. The firm has been recognized among leading law firms for employee benefits in Chambers USA and The Legal 500 (U.S.). Chambers USA recognized Rabitz as a leading lawyer for “Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional” and has been recognized in The Legal 500 (U.S.) as a "Leading Lawyer.

"Prior to private practice, Rabitz pioneered and led the ERISA, executive compensation and benefits legal function at Lehman Brothers and served at Barclays Capital in a similar substantive capacity. He also worked as part of a dedicated team of ERISA and compensation lawyers at Goldman Sachs earlier and for a more extensive period in his career. Rabitz earned his LL.M (in Taxation) and J.D. (cum laude) from the New York University School of Law and his B.A. from Brandeis University (summa cum laude).

About Dechert 

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 27 offices around the world. We advise on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.