Deals & People October 21, 2009

Proskauer Rose Law Firm Broadens Benefits Practice

A group of employee benefits lawyers led by Paul M. Hamburger have left McDermott Will & Emery’s Washington, D.C. office to establish the D.C. employee benefits practice of international law firm Proskauer Rose LLP.

Reported by

A press release said the addition of Hamburger, Todd B. Castleton, Eugene M. Holmes, and James R. Napoli marks a significant step for the firm’s newly integrated Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation & ERISA Litigation Practice Center, which is approaching its 70-lawyer mark.

Hamburger has been practicing benefits law exclusively for more than 25 years, and has advised a number of Fortune 500 employers on all aspects of their employee benefit programs, particularly in connection with large M&A and other corporate transactions, according to the announcement. He is also an authority on COBRA and frequently represents his clients before government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in connection with regulatory matters.

Castleton’s practice focuses on the compliance and administration of qualified defined contribution and defined benefit plans, nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, and health and welfare plans. His background also includes experience with multiple employer, prototype, and volume submitter plans.

Holmes counsels clients in plan operation and governmental regulatory compliance. He also advises on the compensation and benefits plan ramifications and employer workforce impacts that result from corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and reduction-in-force initiatives.

Napoli has an active ERISA practice and counsels clients on qualified defined contribution and defined benefit plans, nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, and health and welfare plans. He also advises clients on ERISA and related litigation, as well as government compliance.

More information about Proskauer Rose LLP is available on their Web site: www.proskauer.com.

Diversions October 21, 2009

Most Trying to Avoid the Flu

With the flu season having arrived, a new poll illustrates that many employees are taking their own precautions to avoid becoming ill at the workplace.

Reported by

A ComPsych news release said 70% of respondents reported changing their everyday habits because of the flu danger. Almost half of employees have adopted an “avoidance” strategy, forgoing handshakes and the touching of workplace surfaces to stay healthy. However, about 3 out of 10 say they have not made any changes to their habits.

Asked whether they’ve grown more careful about their health in recent months, respondents said:

  • Yes, I am more likely to wash my hands/avoid touching people or workplace surfaces – 47%
  • Yes, I am more inclined to get a flu shot – 16%
  • Yes, I am more likely to stay home/keep family members home if there are flu symptoms – 8%.
  • No, my habits haven’t changed – 29%

“The workplace is an essential environment for encouraging people to stay healthy,” said Richard A. Chaifetz, chairman and CEO of ComPsych, an employee assistance program provider, in the news release. “While the survey results are a good indication that employees are responding to public health advice, employers should take note of the nearly 30% who are not inclined to change health behavior even in the face of a pandemic.”

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