Russell L. Hirschhorn, co-head of the ERISA Litigation Group, represents plan fiduciaries, trustees, sponsors and service providers on the full range of ERISA and state law benefit and fiduciary issues. From single plaintiff litigation and arbitration to complex class action litigation, he provides practical guidance, develops unique litigation defense strategies and, when appropriate, mediates successful resolutions.
Russell represents clients across a wide array of publicly-held, multi-national companies and privately owned companies across a multitude of industries including, banking, finance and investments, pharmaceuticals, retail products and construction, to name just a few. In addition, he also counsels benefit plan clients on a host of compliance and federal and state government agency enforcement matters, including complex and lengthy investigations and audits by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Labor.
Russell is management co-chair of the American Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee as well as management co-chair of the Trial Institutes Committee of the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law. He also writes on cutting-edge ERISA litigation issues, serving as a contributing author and a past chapter editor to Employee Benefits Law (BNA Third Edition).
Deeply dedicated to pro bono work, Russell was a principal drafter of several amicus briefs for the Innocence Project, a legal non-profit committed to exonerating wrongly convicted people. Russell has been recognized on several occasions for his commitment to pro bono work including by President George W. Bush in receiving the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award.
With Distinction
Research Editor, Hofstra Law Review, 2000-2001
Staff Member, Hofstra Law Review, 1999-2000
Fellow, American College of Employee Benefits Counsel
American Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Board of Directors of Justice in Aging
Chambers USA: Nationwide: ERISA Litigation 2021-2022
New York Super Lawyers 2018-2022
New York Super Lawyers "Rising Stars” 2011-2016
The Legal 500 United States: Leading Lawyer 2020-2022
The Legal 500 United States: Next Generation 2017-2019
The Legal 500 United States: Labor & Employment: ERISA Litigation 2019-2022
The Legal 500 United States: Labor & Employment: Labor & Employment Litigation 2016-2018
New York State Bar Association's President's Pro Bono Award 2013
Urban Justice Center Social Justice Award 2013
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty Inaugural Legal Service Award 2013
Hofstra University School of Law Emerging Leader Award 2007
Proskauer Rose Pro Bono Golden Gavel Award 2007
The U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award 2004
Edited by Russell L. Hirschhorn