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Robert W. Patterson
Profile
The laws and regulations that govern employee benefits, executive compensation, health care reform and information privacy and security are complex and constantly evolving. Robert has broad experience in assisting clients with complex and sophisticated Human Resources concerns, and his commitment to satisfying client needs and providing value added legal services is his top concern.
Robert has special expertise in:
Pensions, 401(k) and other qualified retirement plans
ESOPs
Health care reform and employer health plans
Deferred compensation and equity incentive plans
Employee benefits issues relating to mergers and acquisitions
HIPAA, cybersecurity, and other information privacy and security laws
ERISA fiduciary duty
Honors & Affiliations
Listed in:
The Best Lawyers in America ®, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2008-2025 (listed for more than 15 years)
American Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Buffalo Niagara Human Resource Association
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
National Center for Employee Ownership
Society for Human Resources Management
Representative Publications
Important Recent ESOP Developments, CNYBJ, March 28, 2022
The Future of Binding Arbitration Agreements in Long Term Care, ABA Health eSource, Vol. 13 No. 3 , November 2016
Church-Affiliated Hospital Pension Plans - Subject to ERISA?, Confero (Westminster Consulting), Vol. 15 , Summer 2016
Cybersecurity: Key Issues for Health Care Boards, ABA Health eSource, Vol. 12 No. 8 , April 2016
Interviewed: Petro, Time has come to ‘play or pay’, Buffalo Business First, December 15, 2014
Interviewed: Drury, Revised HIPAA rules zero in on breaches, Buffalo Business First, April 15, 2013
The "Summary of Benefits and Coverage" Requirement Under PPACA, ABA Health eSource, Vol. 8 No. 11, July 2012
Other Activities
Population Health Collaborative of WNY, Board Member
National Association of Health Underwriters, Buffalo Chapter
Artpark & Company, Inc., Former Board Member
Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, Former Board Member
Articles
Important Recent ESOP Developments
March 3, 2022
Advance Notice Required Before COBRA Subsidy Ends
August 25, 2021
DOL Releases Model Notices for New COBRA Premium Subsidy
April 9, 2021
Federal Agencies Explain New Mental Health Parity Requirements for Health Plans
April 7, 2021
PPE Costs Can Be Reimbursed from Health FSAs, HRAs and HSAs
March 30, 2021
SAMHSA Again Revises its Rules on the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Records
October 14, 2020
IRS Issues Helpful Guidance on the SECURE Act Retirement Plan Changes
October 8, 2020
DOL Finalizes New Electronic Disclosure Safe Harbor
June 5, 2020
Federal Agencies Clarify Coronavirus Testing Coverage Mandate
April 23, 2020
401(k) Hardship Distributions Likely to Take on Increased Importance During the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 24, 2020
New Health Plan Requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
March 23, 2020
2019 Amendments to the California Consumer Privacy Act Clarify Several Important Data Privacy Issues
December 4, 2019
The Recent NYU ERISA Decision and Best Practices for ERISA Fiduciaries
August 12, 2018
Legal Risks Associated With a Retirement Plan's "Missing Participants"
July 2, 2018
European Privacy Regulation Will Impact U.S. Health Care Organizations
May 14, 2018
Profile
The laws and regulations that govern employee benefits, executive compensation, health care reform and information privacy and security are complex and constantly evolving. Robert has broad experience in assisting clients with complex and sophisticated Human Resources concerns, and his commitment to satisfying client needs and providing value added legal services is his top concern.
Robert has special expertise in:
Pensions, 401(k) and other qualified retirement plans
ESOPs
Health care reform and employer health plans
Deferred compensation and equity incentive plans
Employee benefits issues relating to mergers and acquisitions
HIPAA, cybersecurity, and other information privacy and security laws
ERISA fiduciary duty
Honors & Affiliations
Listed in:
The Best Lawyers in America ®, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2008-2025 (listed for more than 15 years)
American Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Buffalo Niagara Human Resource Association
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
National Center for Employee Ownership
Society for Human Resources Management
Representative Publications
Important Recent ESOP Developments, CNYBJ, March 28, 2022
The Future of Binding Arbitration Agreements in Long Term Care, ABA Health eSource, Vol. 13 No. 3 , November 2016
Church-Affiliated Hospital Pension Plans - Subject to ERISA?, Confero (Westminster Consulting), Vol. 15 , Summer 2016
Cybersecurity: Key Issues for Health Care Boards, ABA Health eSource, Vol. 12 No. 8 , April 2016
Interviewed: Petro, Time has come to ‘play or pay’, Buffalo Business First, December 15, 2014
Interviewed: Drury, Revised HIPAA rules zero in on breaches, Buffalo Business First, April 15, 2013
The "Summary of Benefits and Coverage" Requirement Under PPACA, ABA Health eSource, Vol. 8 No. 11, July 2012
Other Activities
Population Health Collaborative of WNY, Board Member
National Association of Health Underwriters, Buffalo Chapter
Artpark & Company, Inc., Former Board Member
Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, Former Board Member
Articles
Important Recent ESOP Developments
March 3, 2022
Advance Notice Required Before COBRA Subsidy Ends
August 25, 2021
DOL Releases Model Notices for New COBRA Premium Subsidy
April 9, 2021
Federal Agencies Explain New Mental Health Parity Requirements for Health Plans
April 7, 2021
PPE Costs Can Be Reimbursed from Health FSAs, HRAs and HSAs
March 30, 2021
SAMHSA Again Revises its Rules on the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Records
October 14, 2020
IRS Issues Helpful Guidance on the SECURE Act Retirement Plan Changes
October 8, 2020
DOL Finalizes New Electronic Disclosure Safe Harbor
June 5, 2020
Federal Agencies Clarify Coronavirus Testing Coverage Mandate
April 23, 2020
401(k) Hardship Distributions Likely to Take on Increased Importance During the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 24, 2020
New Health Plan Requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
March 23, 2020
2019 Amendments to the California Consumer Privacy Act Clarify Several Important Data Privacy Issues
December 4, 2019
The Recent NYU ERISA Decision and Best Practices for ERISA Fiduciaries
August 12, 2018
Legal Risks Associated With a Retirement Plan's "Missing Participants"
July 2, 2018
European Privacy Regulation Will Impact U.S. Health Care Organizations
May 14, 2018