ERISA Litigator Christopher J. Rillo Joins Jenner & Block As A Partner

With more than 30 years of experience handling benefits litigation, he provides deep practice knowledge and a West Coast presence to the firm's growing ERISA group. Representing fiduciaries and plan sponsors, his practice includes class actions, employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) claims and major benefit tax litigation. Mr. Rillo also has experience with litigation involving financial services and securities matters.

"We are pleased to have an experienced ERISA practitioner like Chris join the firm," said Managing Partner Terrence J. Truax. "He is a strategic fit who will help expand the ERISA Litigation Practice's footprint in California and across the country."

Mr. Rillo started his legal career as a labor and employment lawyer and moved into ERISA litigation as the practice area developed and started involving class actions. His major matters have involved issues of company stock, cash balance conversions and fiduciary personal liability for pension plan funding.  He litigated one of the first major company stock cases in 2001, and has handled five case balance conversion cases.

"Adding Chris to the practice strengthens our nationwide ability to continue handling employee benefits capabilities and builds on our reputation as a leader in this area," said Litigation Department Chair Craig C. Martin. "Chris' experience will be invaluable in handling these large and complex matters."

Jenner & Block's 20-attorney ERISA Litigation Practice defends clients in major class actions alleging breach of fiduciary duty, as well as claims for benefits and reduction-in-workforce issues. The group's lawyers counsel pension fund managers in ERISA matters, litigate cases over contributions to union multiemployer benefits plans, and handle bankruptcy-related claims. The practice also defends stock-drop lawsuits, as well as disputes alleging excessive 401(k) plan fees.

ERISA Litigation Practice Chair Amanda S. Amert said, "We have worked with Chris over the past 10 years. He is one of the most respected practitioners of the ERISA legal community and adds significant value to our well-established and growing practice."

Mr. Rillo joins the firm from Maynard Cooper & Gale, where he was a partner.  He is recognized by Chambers USA and Legal 500 as a leading lawyer in the field and is a frequent speaker and author on ERISA issues.

Mr. Rillo received his J.D. in 1980 from the Rutgers School of Law, where he was editor of the Rutgers Technology Journal. He received his A.B. with distinction from Rutgers College in 1977.

ABOUT JENNER & BLOCK
Jenner & Block (www.jenner.com) is a law firm with global reach, with more than 500 lawyers and offices in Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC. The firm is known for its prominent and successful litigation practice and experience handling sophisticated and high-profile corporate transactions. Firm clients include Fortune 100 companies, large privately held corporations, financial services institutions, emerging companies and venture capital and private equity investors. In 2016, The American Lawyer named Jenner & Block to the A-List, which recognizes the top 20 US law firms. The American Lawyer also recognized the firm as the #1 pro bono firm in the United States six of the past nine years; the firm has been ranked among the top 10 in this category every year since 1990.

SOURCE Jenner & Block

Related Links

http://www.jenner.com