Richard Birmingham has over 30 years of experience in both employee benefit consulting and ERISA litigation. His command of both the substantive and litigation areas of ERISA enable him to give practical proactive advice when consulting with clients and to obtain early dismissal or settlement when litigating ERISA matters.
Rich is a frequent speaker at employee benefit seminars and has published numerous articles and client advisories on a wide variety of employee benefit issues.
Rich is a frequent speaker at employee benefit conferences. He recently spoke at the National Congress on Health Insurance Reform, the King County Bar Association, the Western Pension Conference, the Seattle Pension Roundtable, and the DWT Annual Employee Benefits Seminar. He has also spoken before the Alaska Regional Pension Forum, the Northwest Hospital Council, the Washington State Bar Association, and the University of Washington School of Law. He has given over 50 presentations.
In a case of first impression, Business Health Trust litigated the issue of an Association’s status as an ERISA 3(5) Employer. After prevailing on jurisdictional motions, this case was settled on terms favorable to Business Health Trust. As a result, the Seattle Chamber of Commerce was able to offer group medical insurance policies to its members that were organized along historical industry group lines of business. (2015)
Professional & Community Activities:
- Former Adjunct Professor, Pension & Profit Sharing, Seattle University School of Law
- Former Contributing Editor, Compensation and Benefits Management (a national quarterly)
- Executive Compensation and Employee Benefit Committee; Employee Benefits Committee; Welfare Benefit Committee – American Bar Association
- Seattle Pension Roundtable
- Western Pension Conference
EDUCATION:
- LL.M., Taxation, Boston University School of Law
- J.D., Seattle University School of Law
- B.A., Political Science, Washington State University, cum laude
Cost
Rate : $$$