Squire Sanders New York Growth Bolstered by Employee Benefits Lawyer
7 December 2009
Noted employee benefits lawyer Joseph M. Saburn has joined the New York office of global law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
James J. Maiwurm, the firm’s global chairman, said Saburn’s move demonstrates the firm’s ongoing commitment to expanding the New York office’s practice capabilities; over the past two years, the firm has added bankruptcy, maritime, tax and trial lawyers to the office.
“Our New York office has in Joe a lawyer with enormous experience with the complex benefits issues that now more than ever challenge our clients,” Maiwurm said. “His broad-based practice is a key component in our continuing growth.”
Terrence G. Perris, who leads the firm’s tax and benefits practice, said clients will benefit from Saburn’s specific understanding of the concerns of in-house counsel and human resources executives. Saburn was lead ERISA counsel for AT&T Corporation, vice president and senior counsel for benefits for Viacom Corporation, head of the executive benefits practice for a major accounting firm, and managing director of a compensation consulting firm before he launched his private legal practice. Saburn joins Squire Sanders from Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
“Joe’s in-house experience ranges from merger-related employee benefit matters (including senior executive compensation issues such as golden parachutes, transition employment and severance) to pension benefit issues and health and welfare plan matters,” Perris said. “This experience has given Joe a deep understanding and empathy with the problems faced by in-house human resources executives and benefits counsel.”
Edward S. Sinick, New York office managing partner, said Saburn’s corporate experience is bolstered by public sector work that complements the strong public finance practice in the firm’s New York office. Saburn has advised public employers on compliance with guidelines issued by the Government Accounting Standards Board regarding public employee benefit plans.
Saburn said his clients will benefit from the firm’s presence and substantial business practice in several key US markets, as well as Squire Sanders’ “one firm” culture, which supports and encourages close collaboration among professionals across all of the firm’s offices and practices. “I look forward to helping the firm further develop its national employee benefits practice,” he said.
Contact:
Drez Jennings
Media Relations Manager
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
+1.216.802.7301