John A. Reade

Areas of Practice

• Executive Compensation
• Retirement Plan Administration and Compliance
• Health and Welfare Plans
• ERISA/Fiduciary Counseling
• ERISA Litigation

Representative Matters

• Negotiated an executive compensation agreement and related equity awards for a private joint venture involving a high profile hire by a company co-founded by a famous actress.

• Counsel to the largest telecommunications provider (NYSE-traded) in the U.S. with respect to ERISA and employee benefits-related litigation in state and federal courts in multiple jurisdictions across the United States.

• Provide ongoing counsel to the largest telecommunications provider (NYSE-traded) in the U.S. with respect to defined-benefit pension plan and 401(k) plan administration (single-employer plans and multi-employer plans), including participant communications related to employee benefit plans, and an entire redraft of all participant communications under the defined-benefit pension plans.

• Counsel to the largest telecommunications provider (NYSE-traded) in the U.S. with respect to impact of mergers, divestitures and acquisitions on provision of employee benefits.

• Provide ongoing counsel to the largest software-solutions company (NYSE-traded) in the U.S. with regard to all aspects of executive compensation agreements, including Internal Revenue Code Section 409A compliance. Assisted in the redesign, amendment and restatement of all executive compensation programs and plans.

• Provide support with respect to all areas and issues arising out of hiring and termination of executives, including, but not limited to, the interaction with the individual executive incentive plans.

• Provide ongoing counsel to the largest software-solutions company (NYSE-traded) in the U.S. with respect to outbound equalization projects. Provide support and counsel regarding individual issues that arise when executives leave the company but remain within the controlled group of companies. Provide assistance with respect to the interaction between the goals of the business transaction while keeping the U.S.-based executive compensation plans in compliance with their terms and applicable law.

• Provide ongoing counsel to the largest software-solutions company (NYSE-traded) in the U.S. with respect to day-to-day 401(k)-plan, cash-balance-plan and health-and-welfare-plan compliance.

• Provide ongoing counsel to the largest software solutions company (NYSE-traded) in the U.S. with respect to all aspects of employee benefits related to mergers and acquisitions, including but not limited to the integration of these business entities into the appropriate plans, both qualified and non-qualified.

• Represent one of the largest U.S. investment banking firms (NYSE-traded) with respect to the bank’s provision of trust, custodial and fiduciary services to employee benefit plans and employee benefits-related insurance products.

• Represent one of the largest U.S. investment banking firms (NYSE-traded) with respect to its worldwide securities services group and its provision of transition-management services.

• Represent an ESOP-owned information-technology and consulting solutions and services company with respect to day-to-day ESOP-plan, 401(k)-plan and health-and-welfare-plan compliance.

• Counsel to a large manufacturing company (NYSE-traded) with respect to all aspects of employee benefits, including multiple defined-benefit pension plans, 401(k) plan, employer stock issues related to 401(k) plan, self-funded health and welfare plans, assisted on the redesign of pension plans including multiple plan freezes and plan mergers, recently amended and restated plans for design changes and IRS submission.

• Counsel to a large medical device company (NASDAQ-traded) with respect to all aspects of executive compensation and employee benefits, including multiple pension plans, 401(k) plan, employer stock issues related to 401(k) plan, self-funded health and welfare plans, restructuring of executive deferral and supplemental retirement programs and related "rabbi trusts" for compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, management of QDRO outsourcing, executive employment and severance agreements, stock-option-plan compliance, recently amended and restated plans for design changes and IRS submission.

• Counsel to a major pension fund investment manager on fiduciary issues pertaining to the plan asset regulations. Consultation has involved co-investor and fund of fund issues arising in connection with private equity funds and the creation of VCOC, REOC and QPAM structures.

Admissions

• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• New York
• U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York

Education

• Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1994

Experience

• Duane Morris LLP
  - Partner, 2005-present
  - Special Counsel, 2003-2004
• Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, New York, New York
  - Associate, 1994-2003

Professional Activities

• American Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association

Honors and Awards

• Listed in 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers for Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
• Listed in 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers for Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
• Listed in 2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers for Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
• Listed in 2022 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers for Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
• Listed in 2021 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers for Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation 

• Listed in 2019 Lawdragon/HR Executive Magazine Leading Employment Lawyers Guide, Top 20 Lawyers in Employee Benefits

• AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®

No aspect of these rankings has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Further information on methodologies is available via these links.

Selected Publications

• Quoted, "Compliance and Coverage: A Look at the Finalized Mental Health Parity Rule," Employee Benefit News, November 21, 2024
• Co-author, "U.S. Supreme Court Issues Ruling on Duty of Prudence for Investment Options Made Available Under 401(k) Plan," Duane Morris Alert, May 26, 2015
• Co-author, "U.S. Supreme Court Rules for Employer in Retiree Medical Benefits Case," Duane Morris Alert, January 27, 2015
• Co-author, "New COBRA Notices May Require Document Updates," Duane Morris Alert, May 14, 2014
• Co-author, "IRS Publishes Post-Windsor Guidance in Notice 2014-1," Duane Morris Alert, December 20, 2013
• Co-author, "IRS Publishes Notice Providing Transition Relief in Response to ACA Delay," Duane Morris Alert, July 10, 2013

Selected Speaking Engagements

• Speaker, “Developments in Workplace Law and Practice” Duane Morris LLP, Seminar, May 7, 2024 (Philadelphia), May 20, 2024 (San Diego), and May 22, 2024 (Chicago)
• Speaker, “Developments in Workplace Law and Practice” Duane Morris LLP, Seminar, May 9, 2023 (San Diego), May 24, 2023 (Philadelphia), and May 30, 2023 (Chicago)
• Speaker, “State of the Workplace in 2022” Duane Morris LLP, Webinar, May 11, 2022
• Speaker, "State of the Workplace in 2021: Reopening in a Partially Vaccinated Environment and the New Administration," Duane Morris LLP, Webinar, May 19, 2021
• Speaker, "COVID-19 Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Compliance," The New Reality of Workplace Law and Practice in the COVID-19 Era, Duane Morris LLP, Webinar, November 10, 2020
• Speaker, "Employee Benefits Basics: ERISA, ACA, WARN, COBRA and More," National Business Institute, Oakland, California, December 4, 2019

• Speaker, "401(k) Self-Audits: How to Avoid Costly Errors and Stay in Compliance," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, June 20, 2019

• Speaker, "Managing the Undertow of Legislation and Litigation Impacting Your Retirement Plans," Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law and Practice, San Diego, May 7, 2019

• Speaker, "Fiduciary Duties for Retirement Plans," Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law and Practice, Philadelphia, May 7, 2019

• Speaker, "401(k) Self-Audits: How to Avoid Costly Errors and Stay in Compliance," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, December 20, 2018

• Speaker, "401(k) Plan Committee: Fiduciary Responsibilities and ERISA Compliance," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, October 2, 2018

• Speaker, Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law and Practice, San Francisco, May 16, 2018

• Speaker, Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law and Practice, San Diego, May 15, 2018

• Speaker, Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law and Practice, Philadelphia, May 9, 2018

• Speaker, "401(k) Self-Audits: How to Avoid Costly Errors and Stay in Compliance," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, November 9, 2017

• Speaker, Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law and Practice, Los Angeles, May 18, 2017
• Speaker, Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law and Practice, San Francisco, May 17, 2017
• Speaker, Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law and Practice, San Diego, May 16, 2017
• Speaker, Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law and Practice, Philadelphia, May 3, 2017
• Speaker, "401(k) Plan Committee: Fiduciary Responsibilities and ERISA Compliance," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, March 2, 2017
• Speaker, "401(k) Self-Audits: How to Avoid Costly Errors and Stay in Compliance," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, February 2, 2017
• Speaker, "401(k) Annual Audits," Progressive Business Publications Webinar, November 19, 2016
• Speaker, "Affordable Care Act Update," Duane Morris and BB&T John Burnham Seminar, San Diego, October 20, 2016
• Speaker, Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law and Practice, 2016 Current Trends in Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Law, San Diego, California, May 5, 2016; San Francisco, California, May 12, 2016
• Speaker, "401(k) Plan Committee Critical Training: Fiduciary Responsibilities and ERISA Compliance," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, April 28, 2016
• Speaker, Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law and Practice 2015, Philadelphia, May 14, 2015; San Diego, California, May 19, 2015; San Francisco, California, May 21, 2015
• Speaker, "Navigating Compliance with the Affordable Care Act and Employee Wellness Programs," Duane Morris and BB&T John Burnham Seminar, San Diego, March 19, 2015
• Speaker, "Section 409A Deferred Compensation: Compliance Update and Correction Options," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, February 12, 2015
• Speaker, "Section 409A Deferred Compensation: Compliance Update and Correction Options," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, September 4, 2014
• Speaker, "Developments in Workplace Law and Practice," Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law and Practice 2014, Philadelphia, May 8, 2014; Palo Alto, May 21, 2014; San Francisco, May 22, 2014; San Diego, May 29, 2014
• Speaker, "The Affordable Care Act: 2014 and Beyond," Duane Morris and BB&T John Burnham Seminar, San Diego, February 20, 2014
• Speaker, "Section 409A Deferred Compensation: Compliance Update and Correction Options," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, January 8, 2014
• Speaker, "Section 409A Deferred Compensation: Compliance Update and Correction Options," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, September 19, 2013
• Speaker, "Developments in Workplace Law & Practice," current trends in Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration and their impact on your business, San Diego, May 15, 2013
• Speaker, "Developments in Workplace Law & Practice," current trends in Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration and their impact on your business, San Francisco, May 14, 2013
• Speaker, "Healthcare Reform Update," Duane Morris Seminar, San Francisco, March 14, 2013
• Speaker, "2013 Healthcare Reform Update," Duane Morris and BB&T John Burnham Seminar, San Diego, February 21, 2013
• Speaker, "Section 409A Deferred Compensation: Compliance Update and Correction Options," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, January 10, 2013
• Speaker, "Section 409A Deferred Compensation: Compliance Update and Correction Options," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, October 4, 2012
• Speaker, "Section 409A Deferred Compensation: Compliance Update and Correction Options," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, June 6, 2012
• Speaker, "Developments in Workplace Law & Practice," current trends in Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration and their impact on your business, San Francisco, May 15, 2012
• Speaker, "Developments in Workplace Law & Practice," current trends in Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration and their impact on your business, San Diego, May 10, 2012
• Speaker, "Developments in Workplace Law & Practice," current trends in Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration and their impact on your business, Miami, May 2, 2012
• Speaker, "Section 409A Deferred Compensation: Compliance Update and Correction Options," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, January 19, 2012
• Speaker, "2011 Healthcare Reform Update," Duane Morris and BB&T John Burnham Seminar, San Diego, September 15, 2011
• Speaker, "Section 409A Deferred Compensation: Compliance Update and Correction Options," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, August 11, 2011
• Speaker, "Workplace Reality TV: 2011- Developments in Workplace Law and Practice," current trends in Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration and their impact on your business, San Diego, May 12, 2011
• Speaker, "Developments in Workplace Law & Practice," current trends in Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration and their impact on your business, Los Angeles, May 11, 2011
• Speaker, "Developments in Workplace Law & Practice," current trends in Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration and their impact on your business, San Francisco, May 10, 2011
• Speaker, "2010 Healthcare Legislation and Your Business," San Diego, November 18, 2010
• Speaker, "Health Care Reform Seminar," hosted by BB&T John Burnham at the San Diego Zoo, September 9, 2010
• Speaker, "Adding Insulation: Providing Benefits for Your Team," Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law & Practice, San Diego, May 20, 2010
• Speaker, "Planning for the Future: Protecting Your Current Business," Duane Morris' Developments in Workplace Law & Practice 2010, San Francisco, May 18, 2010
• Speaker, "New Form 5500 Compliance Requirements," Business 21 Publishing Web/Audio Conference, April 7, 2010
• Speaker, "New Form 5500 Compliance Requirements," Business 21 Publishing Web/Audio Conference, December 15, 2009
• Speaker, "New Rules for Form 5500 in 2010: Keys to Compliance," Progressive Business Publications Audio Conference, October 20, 2009
• Speaker, "New Form 5500 Compliance Requirements," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, August 26, 2009
• Speaker, "Deferred Compensation Plans: The Latest on Compliance & Corrections," National Constitution Center Audio Conference, April 29, 2009
• Speaker, "Section 409A Deferred Compensation: Compliance Update and What to Do Now," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, April 30, 2009
• Speaker, "New Cafeteria Plan IRS Regulations: Prepare Now or Pay Later," National Constitution Center Audio Conference, March 5, 2009
• Speaker, "DOL's New ERISA Fee Disclosure Initiatives for 401(k) Plan: Compliance Strategies for Plan Fiduciaries and Service Providers," Strafford Legal Publishing Group teleconference, January 13, 2009
• Speaker, "New Deferred Compensation Rules for 2009: What To Tell Your Clients," National Constitution Center Audio Conference, December 4, 2008
• Speaker, "401K Plans: What Lawyers Need to Know to Protect Their Clients," National Constitution Center Audio Conference, November 6, 2008
• Presenter, "Code Section 409A: Ensuring Year-End Deadline Compliance," Center for Competitive Management Audio Conference, October 16, 2008
• Speaker, "How to Avoid Being Blindsided by Section 409A Deferred Compensation," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, September 3, 2008
• Speaker, "How to Avoid Being Blindsided by Section 409A Deferred Compensation," Business 21 Publishing Webinar, April 22, 2008
• Speaker, "Dramatic 401K and Defined Benefit Plan Changes: Are You Ready?" National Constitution Center Audio Conference, October 3, 2007