People /

Richard L. Arenburg

Partner

Atlanta

People /

Richard L. Arenburg

Partner

Atlanta

Richard L. Arenburg

Partner

Atlanta

T: +1 404 572 6765

Biography

Biography

Rick Arenburg’s employee benefits practice encompasses a broad spectrum of matters, ranging from the intricacies of various benefit plans to executive compensation and specialized non-profit and ERISA issues. He serves a diverse client base that includes Fortune 500 companies, publicly and privately held businesses, and foreign entities with U.S. operations.

Comprehensive Employee Benefits Experience

Rick advises clients on the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of both tax-qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, health and welfare benefit plans, and compensatory programs involving employer stock or performance measures. His experience extends to negotiating contracts with service providers, such as trust agreements, administrative services agreements, annuity contracts, and performance guarantee agreements. Rick’s role in representing clients before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is crucial, especially in navigating audits and compliance situations, whether voluntary or involuntary.

Strategic Executive Compensation

In the realm of executive compensation, Rick plays a key role in negotiating employment agreements, severance agreements, change-in-control agreements, and other executive-level arrangements. He designs and implements long-term incentive programs, including the use of private options and option deferral techniques, ensuring that these incentives align with corporate goals and regulatory requirements.

Specialized Non-Profit and ERISA Matters

In his work with non-profit organizations, Rick provides guidance on compensating key executives in compliance with private inurement rules and other federal tax restrictions. He also assists venture capital funds, pension plan investors, and business partners in navigating ERISA complications, working to minimize conflicts of interest. Additionally, Rick helps clients seek exemptions from the DOL for transactions between plans and related parties that would otherwise be prohibited under ERISA’s broad conflict-of-interest rules.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Rick’s experience also extends to mergers and acquisitions, where he negotiates the employee benefits aspects of transactions. He performs thorough due diligence to uncover "hidden" benefit liabilities and assists surviving entities with integrating and consolidating employee benefit programs post-acquisition. His strategic approach ensures that employee benefit considerations are seamlessly addressed in the context of M&A activity.

Rick Arenburg’s extensive experience and multifaceted expertise make him a valuable resource for clients navigating complex employee benefits, executive compensation, and ERISA issues. His ability to address both routine and specialized matters ensures that his clients are well-positioned to achieve their business and regulatory objectives.

Civic Involvement & Honors

The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits (2010-2014, 2020-2024)

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association – Tax Section
State Bar of Georgia – Tax Section

Admissions

Georgia, 1981

Education

Emory University, LL.M., 1987

Emory University, J.D., 1981

Emory University, B.A., 1978

Related Practice Areas

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
Tax & Private Client
Financial Services Corporate & Regulatory Team
Sports & Entertainment
Corporate
Finance
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Cross-border Employment Issues
Sports & Event Financing
Financial Institutions
Funds Finance
Plan Design & Implementation
Plan Administration & Fiduciary Issues
Welfare Plans
Interdisciplinary Privacy/HIPAA Practice
Practice Before Government Agencies
ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation
International Pensions & Benefits Practice
Sports & Entertainment Contract, Endorsement & Celebrity Representation Practice
Anti-Doping Practice
Sports & Event Venue Real Estate Infrastructure and Operation
Naming Rights & Sponsorship Practice
Sports & Entertainment M&A Practice
Sports & Entertainment Litigation Practice
Collegiate Sports Practice
Sports & Entertainment Specialty Counseling Practice
Entertainment Industry Practice
Workouts & Financial Restructuring
Wealth Management
Subchapter S
Going Private
Community Banking Litigation
De Novo Banking
Olympic & National Governing Body Practice
Professional Sports Team Practice
Pensions
Share Plans & Incentives
Bank Transactions & Strategy
Bank Regulatory Compliance, Operational Support & New Products
Executive & Deferred Compensation
Employment & Labor
Investigations
Regulation, Compliance & Advisory