Paul M. Hamburger is co-chair of the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Group and head of the Washington, DC office. Paul is also a leader of the Practice Center’s health and welfare subgroup and a member of Proskauer’s Health Care Reform Task Force.
Paul provides technical knowledge and advice to employers on all aspects of their employee benefit programs, and advises employee benefit plan trustees and service providers on ERISA and employee benefit plan-related matters. He has extensive experience in negotiating service provider and outsourcing agreements. Paul frequently represents clients before government regulatory agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Paul focuses on all matters affecting employee benefit plans, including:
- 401(k) plans, ESOPs, and defined benefit plans, including cash balance pension plans
- Executive compensation plans and agreements
- Welfare benefit plans, including cafeteria plan, COBRA, and health care reform (PPACA) issues
Recognized by a number of publications for his exceptional work, Paul is described by The Legal 500 United States as "one of the best in his field; he inspires a high level of confidence and is a pleasure to work with." Chambers USA notes that Paul’s clients refer to him as "a creative, business-oriented and brilliant lawyer who educates and enlightens."
As a noted thought leader in his field, Paul frequently speaks on employee benefit matters. In addition, he served for several years as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center teaching the LL.M. tax course on ERISA Health and Welfare Benefit Plans.
An author of numerous articles on employee benefits matters, Paul has produced a number of nationally-circulated loose leaf publications, published by Thompson Information Services: Mandated Health Benefits – The COBRA Guide, The Guide to Assigning & Loaning Benefit Plan Money, and The Pension Plan Fix-It Handbook. Most recently, he was the managing author of the 6th edition of The New Health Care Reform Law – What Employers Need to Know (A Q&A Guide), published by Thompson HR.
Education
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University of Michigan Law School, J.D.
cum laude
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University of Michigan, B.A.
With Distinction
Admissions & Qualifications
- District of Columbia
Memberships
American Bar Association (Employee Benefits Committee of The Tax Section)
Thompson Information Services (Health Plan Advisory Panel)
Benefits Law Journal (Editorial Advisory Board)
American College of Employee Benefits Counsel (Member of Board of Governors)
Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs
Chabad on Campus International
Awards & Recognition
Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers 2020
Fellow, American College of Employee Benefits Counsel
Chambers USA: Nationwide: Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation 2010-2018
Chambers USA: District of Columbia: Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation 2006-2020
Best Lawyers in America 2011-2021
Washington, DC Super Lawyers 2007-2019
Lawdragon & Human Resource Executive Top 20 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys, Employee Benefits and ERISA 2011-2019
The Legal 500 United States Hall of Fame 2017-2020
The Legal 500 United States: Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation 2007-2020
Acritas Star Lawyer 2018-2020
District of Columbia Courts’ Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll 2017
Protecting the Security of Employer Data
Paul Hamburger and Robert Projansky discuss cybersecurity and how plan sponsors can protect their companies from data breaches
Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Blog
Proskauer on developments in the world of employee benefits, executive compensation & ERISA litigation
Edited by Russell L. Hirschhorn