Deals & People March 3, 2011

Reish & Reicher Realigns

There are some changes afoot at one of the nation’s premier ERISA legal firms. 

 

Reported by

The Los Angeles-based law firm of Reish & Reicher, “home” to renowned ERISA attorneys Fred Reish and Bruce Ashton, is splitting up, and the two halves will be joining other firms. 

According to an announcement, Reish & Reicher will stop practicing law at the end of the day on March 15, 2011, and on the morning of the 16th, the firm’s attorneys will be joining two other law firms.  “In other words, there will not be any disruption in our practice of law or the representation of our clients,” according to the firm. 

Want the latest retirement plan adviser news and insights? Sign up for PLANADVISER newsletters.

One group will be joining the national law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath (DBR).  The other will join the Southern California law firm of Silver & Freedman (S&F).  The partners who will be joining DBR are long-time PLANSPONSOR columnist Fred Reish, Bruce Ashton, Lee Reicher, Mark Terman, Mike Vanic, Joe Faucher and Pascal Benyamini.  The partners joining S&F are Jon Karp, Jeff Lewis and Gary Wexler.  In addition to the partners, other attorneys at the firm will be included in the transition. 

The attorneys going to DBR are those who practice in the areas of employee benefits, ERISA litigation, employment law/litigation, tax and estate planning, corporate and real estate.  The attorneys joining S&F practice in the areas of transactions, business, taxation, estate planning, and business and real estate litigation. 

“While we are proud of our long standing association and close relationships among the partners, we feel that this transition is important for our legal practices and our clients,” the firm said in the announcement.  “The relationships among the partners remain strong, and we will work in a cooperative spirit to ensure that our clients come first and that there is no disruption to the work being done for them.  The partners will continue to work together on appropriate matters and refer work to each other, even while working at different firms, so that client needs continue to be satisfied.”  

DBR has nearly 650 lawyers in 11 offices located in: Philadelphia, Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Albany, Milwaukee, Florham Park and Princeton, New Jersey, Berwyn, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware. 

Diversions March 3, 2011

Another “Test” Getting Redefined

Carrying fiduciary status might be tough – but so is running down a balance beam with two 30-pound canisters of ammunition.  
Reported by

The proposed redefinition of what makes a financial professional carry fiduciary status is not the only out-dated government program to be (potentially) overhauled in Washington these days.   

The Army unveiled a new physical training regimen this week, the Associated Press is reporting.  Replacing the traditional routine of sit-ups, push-ups and a two-mile run, soldiers will now have to run on a balance beam carrying two 30-pound canisters of ammunition, drag a sled weighted with 180 pounds of sandbags and vault over obstacles while carrying a rifle.

Never miss a story — sign up for PLANADVISER newsletters to keep up on the latest retirement plan adviser news.

The updated physical tests are supposed to more-closely mirror the challenges of the battle field, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, the general in charge of the Army’s initial military training, told the AP.  He said he has been working to change the old exercise for years and that the current test “does not adequately measure components of strength, endurance, or mobility,” or predict how well a soldier would do under fire.

Hertling said trials of the new program are starting this month at eight bases and the plan could be adopted Army-wide after reviews later this year.

The tests will be given to all soldiers and officers, including Army Reserves and National Guard, even recalled soldiers who are now over 60, the AP reported. Specific gender and age standards are still being worked out.   

 

«