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Richard A. Sirus focuses his practice on corporate, transactional, tax, employee benefits, executive compensation and employment law. He represents clients ranging from publicly traded companies to Taft-Hartley Benefit Funds, including sole proprietorships and executives, providing counsel on general corporate, planning and fiduciary matters, with broad experience in the design, preparation, implementation and administration of retirement plans, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), health plans, executive compensation arrangements and fringe benefit programs. He consults regularly with clients regarding fiduciary responsibility and liability matters. He also represents and consults with executives in the assessment, negotiation and preparation of employment arrangements and agreements, including compensation and bonus packages, option and equity arrangements, benefits programs, and termination arrangements.

Rich works with taxable and tax-exempt organizations, including consultation regarding multiple and multiemployer plan matters. He has represented clients before the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Labor and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. He has also served as an expert witness on fiduciary liability and claims issues.

Concentrations

  • Corporate and transactional
  • Employee benefits
  • Executive compensation
  • Employment practices

Capabilities

Experience

 

 

  • Represented Marque Brands, LLC, an affiliate of Neuberger Berman, in connection with its acquisition of a majority ownership in America’s Test Kitchen (“ATK”) and its associated brands, including Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country. ATK is a food and culinary media business, which leverages its industry-leading testing process for recipes and kitchen equipment to produce top class recipes and unbiased product reviews. ATK and its diverse portfolio of brands has an expansive audience across various media platforms.
  • Assisted acquirer in purchase of service industry provider with review and assessment of more than one-hundred Taft-Hartley Act pension funds potential obligation and liability matters.
  • Represented advisor to welfare program of hundreds of employers in U.S. Department of Labor claims for breach of fiduciary duty.
  • Represented publicly traded entertainment enterprise in design, establishment and administration of director and executive equity incentive and deferred compensation programs.
  • Represented incoming chief executive officer of publicly traded packaging company in employment and executive compensation negotiations.
  • Represented Taft-Hartley Act medical fund in merger with multi-local fund.
  • Certified Public Accountant

Recognition & Leadership

  • Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2025
  • Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2010-2024
  • Listed, Leading Lawyers Network, 2006-2024
  • Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Labor and Employment - Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation and Retirement Plans - Design, 2019 and 2022-2023     
  • Listed, The Legal 500 United States, 2013-2014
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Member, Illinois CPA Society/Foundation

Credentials

Education
  • J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 1982
  • B.B.A., Loyola University Chicago, 1980
Admissions
  • Illinois
  • U.S. Tax Court

Related Capabilities

Benefits & Compensation Corporate Tax Mergers & Acquisitions ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation Financial Regulatory & Compliance