Developments in Retirement Plan Investment and Excessive Fee Litigation: A View From the Trenches

Mr. Lichtenstein is a partner in the tax & benefits department in the firm's New York office and focuses on ERISA and employee benefits. He advises asset managers and employee benefit plans regarding the investment of plan assets and a wide range of related issues, including how to operate as an ERISA fiduciary, the prohibited transaction rules and related exemptions, and on how to structure and maintain a fund so that it qualifies as a venture capital operating company (a VCOC) or Real Estate Operating Company (REOC) or satisfies the so called ERISA “25% test."

Ms. Longo represents corporations, and their directors and officers in ERISA and other class actions, derivative suits, and a range of complex litigation, as well as internal investigations and enforcement matters. In addition, she counsels public and private companies on their document retention policies and best practices for electronic discovery and litigation response plans.

Ms. Roy is a partner in the securities litigation group of Ropes & Gray, where she has practiced since 2007. She represents financial services firms, including investment advisers and mutual funds, and other clients in securities litigation and other complex business disputes in courts around the country. Ms. Roy focuses her practice on the investment management industry and has experience in litigating many of the leading issues facing the mutual fund industry, including excessive fee claims and subprime-related losses. In addition to active litigation matters, she regularly advises clients in federal and state government investigations.

Mr. Ward has a wide range of experience in complex commercial disputes and securities litigation, including trials and appeals, investigations and international arbitration. His clients include public and private companies, investment advisers (including private equity sponsors, hedge funds and mutual funds) and individual officers and directors.