Benefits & Compensation
PDFOverview
“Few firms of any size can match the resources Ivins has dedicated to ERISA, executive compensation and other employee benefits.”
- Chambers & Partners
In an age of mega law firms and consolidation, IPB remains one of the few independent tax and employee benefits specialty law firms. We continue to thrive because we focus on:
- Unbiased Representation. We represent employers – not service providers. Many of our competitors represent the insurance companies, third-party administrators, and other entities that service employer plans. We focus on the employer side, which allows us to zealously represent you and your plans without conflict.
- Service. We aim to answer your questions quickly and efficiently without reinventing the wheel. No question is too narrow for us to answer, and clients value our responsiveness and practical guidance.
- Partnership. We focus on your needs, and partner with you and your colleagues to achieve your company’s goals. We regularly and comfortably work alongside other service providers, recognizing the different skills and value each of us brings to the table. As your partner, we always ensure that you are working with an attorney who has the right experience to address your specific issue.
- Flexibility. We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. We are nimble in how we approach issues. Sometimes a client wants a “turn over every rock” answer, and sometimes a client just wants a quicker “pretty sure” response. It depends on how much is riding on the question. We get that.
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News & Events
News
- IPB Recognized in Best Law Firms 2025® | November 7, 2024
- IPB Achieves Mansfield Certification Plus for the Third Time | October 13, 2024
- IPB Recognized in Best Law Firms® for 2024 | November 2, 2023
- IPB Achieves Mansfield Certification Plus for the Second Time | October 10, 2023
- Kevin O'Brien Talks Pension Risk Transfer With BCG | January 25, 2023
- Kevin O'Brien Submits Comments on Cybersecurity | November 11, 2022
- New SEC Rule Highlights Need to Understand Tax Implications of Clawbacks | November 8, 2022
- IPB Recognized in US News & World Report's Best Law Firms for 2023 | November 3, 2022
- Spencer Walters Answers HSA Questions with PlanSponsor | October 20, 2022
- Tax-Free Employer Reimbursement of Student Loan Repayments | October 7, 2022
- IPB Attorney Ben Grosz Receives DC Bar Award | June 23, 2022
- IPB Attorney Receives Industry DEI Award | June 10, 2022
- IPB Achieves Mansfield Certification Plus | May 5, 2022
- Tom Cryan Speaks With Law360 About Joining IPB | March 28, 2022
- IPB Welcomes Tom Cryan to Our Benefits & Compensation Practice | March 23, 2022
- IPB Recognized in US News & World Report's Best Law Firms for 2022 | November 4, 2021
- Jodi Epstein Hosts Stakeholder Engagement Panel at WIPL 2021 | October 12, 2022
- IPB Recognized by Law360 for Representation of Women in Our Partnership Ranks | September 29, 2021
- Thirteen IPB Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers | August 19, 2021
- Ben Grosz Speaks at PLANSPONSOR National Conference 2021 | June 30, 2021
- Percy Lee Speaks at PLANSPONSOR National Conference 2021 | June 23, 2021
- Jon Holbrook Serves on DC Bar Taxation Panel | May 27, 2021
- Nine IPB Attorneys Included on 2021 Super Lawyers List | May 7, 2021
- Robin Solomon Writes About Novel Employment Law Issues for Corporate Counsel | February 5, 2021
- Employer Tax Credit under IRC § 45S for Paid Family & Medical Leave | January 28, 2021
- Ben Grosz Speaks to Benefits Pro About 401(k) Lawsuits | January 25, 2021
- Tax-Free Employer Reimbursement of Student Loan Repayments | January 11, 2021
- Benefits & Compensation Year-End Preparation for Non-Qualified Plans | November 19, 2020
- 2020 Year-End Benefits Checklist | November 19, 2020
- IPB Recognized in US News & World Report's Best Law Firms for 2021 | November 6, 2020
- Jodi Epstein and Ben Grosz Speak at Best of PLANSPONSOR National Conference | November 5, 2020
- Robin Solomon Hosts Employment Issues Panel at WIPL 2020 | October 30, 2020
- Ivins Attorneys Teach Pro Bono Tax Class | October 14, 2020
- Jodi Epstein speaks at PlanSponsor National Conference 2020 | September 21, 2020
- Twelve IPB Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America for 2021 | August 20, 2020
- Are Your Benefit Plans Keeping Pace with the New Reality? | August 12, 2020
- Kevin McGlinchey Speaks with Texas Lawyer | June 2, 2020
- IPB Expands Benefits & Compensation Practice | June 1, 2020
- Jodi Epstein Moderates DCIIA CARES Act Panel Discussion | May 11, 2020
- IPB Launches COVID-19 Resources Page | March 16, 2020
- IPB Submits Comments to IRS on 162(m) Disallowance (February 2020) | February 19, 2020
- Proposed Code Section 162(m) Regulations | January 23, 2020
- Kevin O'Brien Talks to Leading HR Execs About Transferring Plan Risk | November 6, 2019
- U.S. News & World Report Names IPB One of America's Best Law Firms | November 1, 2019
- Spencer Walters Speaks at TEI's 2019 Annual Conference | October 28, 2019
- Robin Solomon Leads Panel at 2019 Women, Influence & Power in Law Conference | October 18, 2019
- Robin Solomon Speaks to PlanSponsor Magazine about Safe Harbors | September 19, 2019
- Best Lawyers 2020 Edition Recognizes Eleven IPB Attorneys | August 15, 2019
- IPB Relocates to 1717 K Street | August 7, 2019
- Three IPB Partners Recognized in Latest Chambers USA Guide | April 29, 2019
- Kevin O'Brien Quoted by Insight Investment on Pension Lump Sums | April 5, 2019
- Robin Solomon Quoted re QDIAs Changing Fiduciary Role | March 12, 2019
- TCJA Alert: Unexpected Effect of Section 4960 Excise Tax | February 22, 2019
- Code Section 162(m) Planning Strategies | January 25, 2019
- Code Section 162(m) Grandfathering Rule Under TCJA | January 25, 2019
- Ben Grosz a Featured Panelist at Best of PLANSPONSOR National Conference | December 3, 2018
- Jodi Epstein Provides Regulatory Update at PLANSPONSOR Conferences | November 19, 2018
- IPB's 162(m) Comments to IRS Profiled in Tax Notes | November 14, 2018
- HRA Proposal Raises Questions Regarding Existing Retiree HRA Arrangements | November 7, 2018
- IPB Named to 2019 Best Law Firms in America List by U.S. News & World Report | November 1, 2018
- Kevin O'Brien and Jodi Epstein Speak at IBCN National Forum | October 12, 2018
- Robin Solomon & Linda Kotis Spoke at WIPL Conference | October 4, 2018
- Robin Solomon Quoted on Pension Plan Funding Strategies | October 1, 2018
- Benjamin L. Grosz Featured Speaker at Investment Symposium | October 1, 2018
- Ten IPB Attorneys Named to 2019 Best Lawyers in America | August 15, 2018
- Ivins Wins Full Concession of $3.6 Million Tax Court Case | June 5, 2018
- IPB Ranked by Chambers USA as a Leading Firm | May 14, 2018
- Eleven IPB Attorneys Named as 2018 DC Super Lawyers | April 2, 2018
- Robin Solomon Quoted in Blog regarding Health Insurance Terms | March 13, 2018
- IPB Attorneys Spoke at the FBA Annual Tax Law Conference | March 9, 2018
- Spencer Walters Quoted in Forbes | February 27, 2018
- Ben Grosz Headlines Presentation to 401(k) Plan Advisors | February 7, 2018
- IPB Attorneys Participated in DC Bar Sponsored Panels re: Tax Reform | January 25, 2018
- IPB Attorneys Interviewed by Tax Notes on 162(m) | December 20, 2017
- 401(k) Pioneer Carroll Savage Profiled by DC Bar | December 11, 2017
- Kevin O'Brien Profiled by Lawdragon | December 11, 2017
- EB Newsletter: Tax Reform | November 17, 2017
- IPB Selected as One of the 2018 Best Law Firms in America | November 6, 2017
- IPB Attorneys Present TEI Employee Benefits Seminar | November 3, 2017
- Ben Grosz Shared Insights at 2017 Healthcare & Retirement Plan Summit | October 24, 2017
- Robin Solomon and Jodi Epstein Lead Panel at WIPL Conference | October 12, 2017
- Benjamin Grosz Addresses Washington Area Compensation and Benefits Association | September 21, 2017
- Ten IPB Attorneys Named to 2018 Best Lawyers in America | August 15, 2017
- Ben Grosz and Robin Solomon Quoted in NAPA re: Target Date Funds | August 15, 2017
- TEI Conferences | June 14, 2017
- Robin Solomon Quoted on Socially Responsible Investing | May 23, 2017
- Robin Solomon Speaks at Minnesota Society of CPAs Conference | May 22, 2017
- Kevin O'Brien Named a Top 20 ERISA Lawyer by Lawdragon | May 18, 2017
- Spencer Walters Quoted re: DOL State Auto-IRA Rule | May 14, 2017
- Andre and Solomon Speak at TEI re: Global Mobility of Employees | April 28, 2017
- Ten Ivins Attorneys Named as 2017 DC Super Lawyers | April 26, 2017
- Kevin O'Brien Speaker at IBCN National Forum | April 25, 2017
- Kevin O'Brien Moderates Panel at DC Bar Taxation Section | April 20, 2017
- Robin Solomon Quoted in Wall Street Journal on Target Date Funds | March 6, 2017
- Ivins Attorneys Speak re Global Mobility of Employees | February 24, 2017
- Ivins, Phillips & Barker Partner Announcements | February 9, 2017
- Robin Solomon Quoted re DOL Fiduciary Rule | November/December 2016
- In Memoriam - H. Stewart Dunn, Jr. | 09.27.2016
- Robin Solomon Discusses Retirement Drawdown Strategy | 09.06.2016
- Robin Solomon Quoted on Preparing for a DOL Audit | May 10, 2016
- Robin Solomon Quoted on Payroll Practices for Terminating Employees | April 28, 2016
- Nine Ivins Attorneys Named as 2016 DC Super Lawyers | April 19, 2016
- Robin Solomon Quoted on Educational Assistance Plans | April 2, 2016
- BenefitsPro Quotes Ben Grosz About Retirement Plans | March 4, 2016
- Robin Solomon Quoted Regarding Health Plan Benefits | February 24, 2016
- Robin Solomon and Jonathan Zimmerman Speak on Top Employee Benefit Issues | February 24, 2016
- Benjamin L. Grosz Interviewed on 401(k) Fee Litigation and Plan Sponsor Reaction | February 23, 2016
- Robin Solomon Quoted in US News & World Report | February 4, 2016
- Retirement Plan Tax Breaks Discussed by Ben Grosz | January 27, 2016
- Ivins Advises Bayer on $2 Billion IPO of Material Science Business | October 8, 2015
- Robin Solomon Speaks at TEI Pittsburgh Chapter Meeting | October 7, 2015
- Spencer Walters Speaks at TEI on Executive Compensation Issues | August 19, 2015
- Eight Ivins Attorneys Named to 2016 Best Lawyers in America | August 18, 2015
- Ivins Advises Heinz on $60 Billion Merger with Kraft | July 6, 2015
- IRS Issues Notice 2015-10 Guidance re Tax Withheld from International Payments | April 29, 2015
- Nine Ivins Attorneys Named as 2015 DC Super Lawyers | April 26, 2015
- Robin Solomon Speaks on Same-Sex Marriage at American University Washington College of Law Founders Celebration 2015 | April 13, 2015
- Ivins Attorneys Speak at TEI 65th Mid-Year Conference | March 25, 2015
- Six Ivins Attorneys Speak at Cincinnati-Columbus Chapter of TEI | February 10, 2015
- Nine Ivins Attorneys Named to 2015 Best Lawyers in America® | August 21, 2014
- Eight Ivins Attorneys Named as 2014 DC Super Lawyers | April 8, 2014
- Leslie Schneider and Rosina Barker Speak at TEI Mid-Year Conference | March 26, 2014
- Ivins Attorneys Speak at FBA Tax Law Conference | February 28, 2014
- Ivins Attorneys Speak at 68th Annual TEI Conference | October 31, 2013
- Jodi Epstein speaks to DC Bar on Determination Letter Process | October 24, 2013
- Nine Ivins Attorneys Named to 2014 Best Lawyers in America | August 21, 2013
- Six Ivins Attorneys Named as 2013 DC Super Lawyers | April 28, 2013
- Ivins Attorneys Speak at TEI New Orleans Chapter | November 27, 2012
- Ivins Attorneys Speak at TEI Annual Conference | October 30, 2012
- Chambers USA Ranks Ivins as a Leading DC Tax and Benefits Firm | June 26, 2012
- Ivins Attorneys Speak at DC Bar on Estate Planning with Retirement Plan Assets | December 15, 2011
- Ivins Attorneys Speak at Cincinnati TEI Seminar | September 19, 2011
- Ten Ivins Attorneys Named to 2012 Best Lawyers in America | August 31, 2011
Newsletters
- Telehealth Safe Harbor for Many HSA-Qualified HDHPs Set to Expire January 1
- Want to Offer a Dependent Care FSA to Employees? Some May Owe More Tax by Contributing
- Health and Welfare Plan Fiduciary Training
- Late Tax Deposit Penalty Waiver in Connection with Stock Option Exercise & Stock-Settled Equity Award Payouts
- Benefits & Compensation Priorities to Consider in Advance of the End of 2023
-
Significant Expansion of Roth 401(k) and 403(b) Features Under the SECURE 2.0 Act
- Preparing for a Potential Employment Tax Audit
-
Pitfalls and Pathways for a Remote Workforce: What Tax Departments Should Know
- Abortion Coverage in ERISA Plans After Dobbs
- How to Protect Yourself—and Stay Protected— when Negotiating with Vendors
- 2021 Year-End Preparation for Benefit Plans
- Employee Benefits Changes in Ways & Means Amendment for 2022 Budget Reconciliation – September 2021
- Retirement Plan Provisions in the Year-End COVID Legislation and the Upcoming Expiration of Certain Extensions – January 2021
- Benefits & Compensation Year-End Preparation for Non-Qualified Plans – November 2020
- Are Your Benefit Plans Keeping Pace with the New Reality?– August 2020
- Benefits & Compensation 2020 Mid-Year Review - July 2020
- Insight for Administering the CARES Act– July 2020
- New Final DOL Rule Expands Electronic Disclosures for Retirement Plans – June 2020
- Kevin McGlinchey Joins IPB – June 2020
- COVID-19 Crisis and Code Section 139 Tax-Free Disaster Assistance to Employees and Contractors - April 2020
- Employee Benefits Provisions in the CARES Act - April 2020
- COVID-19: Special Disaster Benefits for Employees - April 2020
- COVID-19: Legislative Changes Affecting Leave Programs - March 2020
- COVID-19 and Self-Insured Plans: Unexpected Issues - March 2020
- Benefits and Compensation Alert: IRS Offers Expanded Opportunity to Self-Correct Plan Errors - May 2019
- Benefits and Compensation Alert: Three Considerations Before Offering a Retiree Lump Sum - March 2019
- Benefits and Compensation Alert: New Year's Resolutions for Benefit Professionals - January 2019
- Benefits and Compensation Alert: Affordable Care Act Update - October 2018
- Employee Benefits Alert: New Disability Claims Rules - March 2018
- Employee Benefit Newsletter: Section 162(m) Deduction Limit - January 2018
- Employee Benefits Update: Expanded Scope of §162(m) Deduction Limit on Executive Pay - January 2018
- Employee Benefits Update: Year-End Tax Strategies - December 2017
- Employee Benefits Update: Tax Reform - November 2017
Employee Benefits Update: American Health Care Act - March 2017 - Employee Benefits Update: Health Savings Accounts - March 1, 2017
- Employee Benefits Update - September 2016
- Employee Benefits in Focus: The DOL Fiduciary Rule - June 2016
- Employee Benefits in Focus: Wellness Plans - May 2016
- Employee Benefits Update - March 2016
- Employee Benefits Update - January 2016
Publications
- Addressing Retirement Plan Overpayments After SECURE 2.0 | February 2, 2025
- Relaxed Rules for Furnishing Form 1095-C to Employees | January 23, 2025
- Protecting 401(k) Plans from Lawsuits Over Use of Forfeiture Funds | September 18, 2024
- Selecting an Automatic Rollover Vendor for a Qualified Pension Plan | August 5, 2024
- Out of the Fog | March - April 2024
- Catch as Catch Can | March - April 2024
- Fiduciary Best Practices | Jan - Feb 2024
- Introduction to "Benefits Bullets" | April 16, 2024
- Abortion Coverage in ERISA Plans After Dobbs | July 7, 2022
- Retirement Account Planning Under the SECURE Act | 04.13.2020
- Benefits & Compensation Insider | 01.2020
- IPB Alert: Notice 2019-09 and Section 4960 | 04.02.2019
- Affordable Care Act Update | 10.18.2018
- Employee Benefits Update | 12.20.2017
- EB Update: Tax Reform | 11.17.2017
- "The Case for Custom Target-Date Funds" | 08.2017
- Employee Benefits Update | 09.2016
- Employee Benefits in Focus: The DOL Fiduciary Rule | 06.07.2016
- Employee Benefits in Focus: Wellness Plans | 05.25.2016
- Employee Benefits Update | 03.2016
- Health Reform Resources | 03.07.2016
- Affordable Care Act Delays, Changes | 01.29.2016
- Employee Benefits Update | 01.2016
- Court Takes Issue with EEOC Position on Wellness | 01.29.2016
- Responding to a Data Breach in Your Health Plan | 02.12.2015
- The End of Circular 230 Disclaimers | 06.11.2014
- In-Plan Roth Rollovers | 01.30.2014
- Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans: More Mid-Year Flexibility | 01.30.2014
- Roundup of Recent IRS Qualified Plans Guidance | 01.30.2014
- Choosing a Retirement Plan | 2018
- 401(k) Investment Committee Topics | 11.19.2013
- Employee Benefits Law, Third Edition, Cumulative Supplement | Fall 2013
- IRS Post-DOMA Guidance: What Employers Should Do Now | 09.16.2013
- IRS Post-DOMA Guidance: What Employers Should Do Now | 09.16.2013
- Now What? Employee Benefits After DOMA | 07.02.2013
- Now What? Employee Benefits After DOMA | 07.02.2013
- Department of Labor's Lifetime Income Proposal | 05.08.2013
- Qualified Retirement Plans | 2017
- Cash Balance Plan Resource Page | 01.13.2011
- Taxing Clawbacks | 10.25.2010
- 401(k) Plan Nondiscrimination Testing Solution | 02.01.2010
- COBRA Subsidy Extension: What Does This Mean for Employers? | January 2010
- 409A Document Corrections Under Notice 2010-6 | 01.08.2010
- 401(k) Automatic Contribution Arrangement | 09.09.2009
- Fry v. Exelon: How Will the IRS React? | 07.22.2009
- Pension Protection Act of 2006: Summary for DB Plans | September 1, 2006
- Vesting of Deferred Compensation: When Words Are More Taxing Than Deeds | February 6, 2006
- Section 409A: Five Points That May Surprise You | January 1, 2006
- EPCRS Update 2006 | December 1, 2005
- Year-End Benefits Checklist 2005 | November 1, 2005
- Roth Contributions - Proposed Regulations Issued | March 2, 2005
- SERPs and Elective Deferral Plans Must Comply With §409A | February 10, 2005
- Executive Employment Agreements Must Comply With Section 409A | February 5, 2005
- Alert: Change in "Dependent" Definition | December 8, 2004
- The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004: An Analysis of Selected Provisions | November 1, 2004
- Retroactive Annuity Starting Date: What Do I Have To Do? | August 1, 2004
- Cash Balance Emergency Preparedness Kit: This Is Not A Test | April 1, 2004
- Cash Balance Alert: February 10, 2004 | January 10, 2004
- Berger v. Xerox: Looking for Law in All the Wrong Places | December 1, 2003
- Cash Balance Alert: October 30, 2003 | October 30, 2003
- Accruing Benefits for Retired Ees: The Incredible Shrinking Ruling | October 1, 2003
- VEBA UBIT Flash | July 1, 2003
- Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 | June 19, 2003
- Year-End Benefit Issues 2003 | January 1, 2003
- Keeping Current with Qualified Plans | September 10, 2002
- Cash Balance Conversions under ADEA - Reconsidered & Reaffirmed | March 1, 2002
- The ERISA Common Law and the Limits of Reticulation | December 1, 2001
- Settlements & Waivers Affecting Pension Benefits Under ERISA | December 1, 2001
- Flanigan v GE: Last Nail in the Coffin of the Asset "Sale" Bugbear? | October 1, 2001
- Microsoft TAM--Answers Some Questions, Raises Others | December 1, 2000
- Do Cash Balance Plans Violate the ADEA? | August 1, 2000
- Is There a Scriveners Error Doctrine | May 1, 2000
- Cash Bal. Plans: Are Wear-Away Transitions Legal under the ADEA | April 1, 2000
- PensionCabal.com--Ruminations on the Cash Bal. Crisis | December 1, 1999
- Whither Guidance? | December 1, 1998
- Introduction and Hughes Blues | October 1, 1998
- Overfunded Portion of Foreign Employees' Trust Treated as Grantor Trust | January 1, 1997
- State Withholding from Qualified Plan Distributions | April 2, 1993
- New Final Regulations Offer More Flexibility in Defining Compensation | January 1, 1993
- Cafeteria Plans: Recent Developments and Unresolved Issues | January 1, 1991
- Final Section 401(k) and (m) Regulations Contain Substantive Changes | January 1, 1991
- 5710. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation | September 17, 1990
- 5720. Golden Parachutes | February 26, 1990
- Recent Developments Affecting Cafeteria Plans | January 1, 1990
- Minimum Coverage Prop. Regs. Contain Several New Tests | January 1, 1989