Sam Schwartz-Fenwick > Seyfarth Shaw LLP > Chicago, United States > Lawyer Profile

Seyfarth Shaw LLP Offices

Seyfarth Shaw LLP
233 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 8000
CHICAGO, IL 60606 - 6448
ILLINOIS
United States
Visit website 1 312 460 5000 1 312 460 7000

Sam Schwartz-Fenwick

Sam Schwartz-Fenwick photo
(312) 460-5948 sschwartz-fenwick@seyfarth.com

Work Department

Labor & Employment Department; ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation; Labor & Employee Relations.

Position

Mr. Schwartz-Fenwick is a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group of Seyfarth Shaw LLP.  He is particularly well-versed in benefits-related litigation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).  Mr. Schwartz-Fenwick defends complex class actions and single-plaintiff lawsuits under ERISA.  In the class action realm, he has defended various types of claims, including claims for benefits and claims for breach of fiduciary duty, including 401(k) fee litigation.

In addition to his ERISA litigation practice, Sam has significant experience in general employment matters. He regularly assists in the defense of complex litigation matters brought under the National Labor Relations Act, and represents clients in collective bargaining, in hearings before the National Labor Relations Board and in grievance arbitrations. Sam represents clients in litigation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act. He also provides day-to-day counseling and advice to clients about the various laws affecting the employment relationship, especially as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Sam speaks nationwide and publishes regularly on a variety of employment law and litigation topics, and issues regarding diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. He has serves as a Senior Editor to Employee Benefits Law (ABA) and is a member of the ABA’s Labor & Employment Law Nominating Committee.

Sam leads the firm’s LGBT Affinity Group and is the executive vice president of his synagogue.

Career

Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP.

Memberships

Chicago Bar Association; American Bar Association, Employee Benefits Committee

Education

J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, cum laude (2005); B.A., Tufts University, summa cum laude (2001)

Lawyer Rankings

United States > Labor and employment > ERISA litigation

Seyfarth Shaw LLP is distinguished for representing major insurers, healthcare providers and financial services companies, and is currently expanding into the East Coast. Working closely with employee benefits department, the team deals with complex ERISA cases often involving 401 (k) fees class actions, putative actions and employee benefits disputes. The team is co-led by Kathleen Cahill Slaught in San Francisco, a noted specialist in high stakes ERISA litigation with an impressive client portfolio. The other co-lead is Ian Morrison, who operates from the Chicago office, and represents employers, employee benefit plans and fiduciaries across the full spectrum of litigation. Also, in the Chicago office, Ada Dolph specializes in 401(k) fee, retiree medical and “stock drop” class action litigation alongside Sam Schwartz-Fenwick, who focuses on benefits-related litigation particularly as it relates to gender equity. In New York, Amanda Genovese, who joined the firm from Troutman Pepper as a partner in 2023, defends major companies involving ERISA benefit and fiduciary claims as well as advising clients on the Mental Health Parity Act and Medicaid programs.

 

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