Robert concentrates his practice in fiduciary responsibility as well as tax-qualified retirement plan design, compliance, and administration. He routinely works with plan sponsors and fiduciaries to 401(k), defined benefit, cash balance, and profit sharing plans.
Robert has wide-ranging experience in plan drafting, including plan documents, amendments, resolutions, and summary plan descriptions. He also assists plan sponsors in preparing committee charters and bylaws to establish strong plan governance.
Robert routinely works with clients to assist with compliance efforts, including all aspects of the Internal Revenue Service Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System. He has significant experience helping clients navigate through the voluntary compliance program and plan audits.
In addition to plan design and compliance, Robert works with plan sponsors and service providers to understand and adhere to ERISA’s fiduciary requirements, including guiding clients through the Department of Labor’s Voluntary Fiduciary Compliance Program. He applies these same skills to service provider reviews, investment contract drafting and Department of Labor Investigations.
Robert also assists plan sponsors with day-to-day administrative efforts, including benefit claims and appeals, QDRO determinations, and participant communications. He remains up-to-date on all aspects of qualified plan reporting and disclosure in order to assist plan sponsors in timely compliance with regulatory requirements.
Robert has spoken on an array of benefits issues, including the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System, retirement benefits for domestic partners, missing participants, controlled group considerations, plan governance, and the fiduciary responsibilities of retirement plan committees.
Robert has been recognized as a 2016–2019 Rising Star, and as a Super Lawyer by the Northern California Super Lawyers publication since 2020. He was also awarded “Outstanding Volunteer” for his work from 2016 through 2018 with the Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) by the Bar Association of San Francisco.
ARTICLES AND UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS
- INVESTMENT ADVICE FIDUCIARY RULE, ROUND THREE — Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary & Proposed Amendment to Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2020-02
- SECURE 2.0: IRS Issues New Guidance on RMDs
- More Time to “Catch-Up”
- CalSavers vs. Qualified Employee Benefit Plans: Choosing the Right Retirement Plan in California
- Reinterpreting ESG: DOL Releases Flexible Final Rule While Maintaining Long-Held Principles
- Mitigating Fiduciary Risk: Lessons Learned About the Prudent Person Rule After Fifteen Years of Fee Litigation
- A Pecuniary Focus: Department of Labor Issues Final Rule on Financial Factors in Selecting Plan Investments
- DOL Proposes to Formally Regulate ESG Investing
- IRS Issues Coronavirus-Related FAQs for Retirement Plans and IRAs
- U.S. Senate Committee Eyes Lack of Guidance on ERISA Cybersecurity
- DOL Fiduciary Rule – Still Very Much Alive
- Fiduciary Rule to Go Live June 9, 2017
- DOL Issues Temporary Enforcement Policy Regarding the Fiduciary Rule
- The Fiduciary Rule Is Under Review, but What Does that Mean?
- Form 5500 as a Compliance Tool: Changes Today, Changes Tomorrow
- The Retro-Effect: Outstanding Issues in Qualified Plan Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage as Highlighted by Schuett v. FedEx
- IRS Issues Guidance Addressing the Impact of the Supreme Court’s Obergefell Decision on Qualified Retirement and Health and Welfare Plans
- Significant Changes to Qualified Plans Determination Letter Program Underway
- DOL Proposed Fiduciary Rule: A Significant Second Take
RECENT PRESENTATIONS
- TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: Demonstrating Effective Qualified Plan Governance
- TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: SECURE 2.0 (Part II) Key Provisions for Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans – Impact on the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS)
- TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: SECURE 2.0 (Part I) Key Provisions for Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans – How They Impact Plan Documentation and Operations
- TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: Cybersecurity Guidance and New Proposed Rule Regarding ESG Investments from the Department of Labor
- TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: Mitigating Fiduciary Risk
- TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: COVID-19 Impact on Employee Benefit Plans
- TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: The New and Improved Self-Correction Alternatives Under EPCRS
