Overview
Fred Reish is a noted authority on retirement plan products and plan management who helps ensure that clients fulfill their fiduciary duty to investors and comply with federal law. He counsels plan sponsors, service providers and registered investment advisers on fiduciary responsibility, prohibited transactions under federal law, federal audits and pension plan disputes. When clients face regulatory disputes, Fred counsels them on mitigating the impact of enforcement actions and resolving compliance issues.
Retirement Plan Counsel
Fred consults with banks, trust companies, insurance companies and mutual fund management companies on 401(k) recordkeeping services, investment products, and issues related to plan investments and retirement income. He advises broker-dealers and registered investment advisers on fiduciary status and compliance, prohibited transactions and internal procedures. Fred also advises insurance companies and investment managers on the development of new products and services consistent with fiduciary standards under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) as well as its prohibited transaction restrictions, retirement income investments and guarantees.
Examinations and Compliance
Fred counsels private and public sector entities and their plans and fiduciaries regarding examinations before federal agencies such as the Department of Labor (DOL) the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Blogs and Industry Engagement
Fred regularly blogs at FredReish.com where he provides updates and insights on the retirement industry for service providers, plan sponsors and registered investment advisers. He is quoted frequently by national media organizations and regularly addresses industry conferences.
Previous Faculty Positions
- University of Southern California, Masters of Business Tax Program — Former Teacher, “Pension and Profit Sharing”
Related Legal Services
Related Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
California
Education
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
J.D.
Arizona State University
B.S. in Accounting
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
News
Other Perspectives
- Brokerage, Annuities Industries Make Last-Ditch Effort To Delay DOL Fiduciary Rule
Financial Advisor Magazine, Apr. 15, 2024 - Lawmakers Call On Labor Department to Finish Fiduciary Rule
Barron’s, Apr. 1, 2024 - Senators Urge DOL To Hurry And Finalize Fiduciary Rule
Financial Advisor Magazine, Mar. 27, 2024 - DOL's New Fiduciary Rule Much Harder To Sidestep, Attorney Warns
Financial Advisor Magazine, Mar. 22, 2024 - Final DOL Fiduciary Rule Lands at OMB
ThinkAdvisor, Mar. 9, 2024 - Final DOL Fiduciary Rule Likely Out This Year
ThinkAdvisor, Feb. 22, 2024 - How captive and independent agents are affected by the DOL rule
InsuranceNewsNet, Nov. 14, 2023 - Former DOL Official Predicts Court Will Strike Down Fiduciary Proposal
Financial Advisor Magazine, Nov. 13, 2023 - The 2 Biggest Fights Brewing Over DOL’s New Fiduciary Rule
ThinkAdvisor, Nov. 10, 2023 - DOL Fiduciary Proposal Will 'Undoubtedly' Face A Lawsuit, ERISA Attorney Predicts
Financial Advisor Magazine, Oct. 31, 2023 - First Public Look at New DOL Fiduciary Rule Coming Soon
401(k) Specialist, Oct. 23, 2023 - DOL fiduciary rule likely to tinker with popular exemption, analysts say
InsuranceNewsNet, Sep. 13, 2023 - As student loan payments restart, can employers be a firewall for borrowers? Some groups hope so
CNBC, July 17, 2023 - Tax Credits for Starting Up Small Employer Plans: What You Need to Know
Republished in Benefits Law Journal, Summer 2023, Vol. 26, No. 2 - Know Your GLWBs: Assessing Annuity Vehicles as In-Plan Income Options
PLANADVISER, June 20, 2023 - ESG rule 'wrong rule' to have ideological fight, analyst says
InsuranceNewsNet, May 16, 2023 - DOL won't give up on push for fiduciary standard on rollovers, analysts say
InsuranceNewsNet, May 15, 2023 - ‘Neutral' ESG rule draws GOP fire in court and Congress
InsuranceNewsNet, Feb. 23, 2023 - Analysts: DOL rollover ruling ‘a big deal,’ but don’t get carried away
InsuranceNewsNet, Feb. 17, 2023 - DOL Rollover Guidance Is Not Dead, Lawyer Warns
ThinkAdvisor, Feb. 16, 2023 - Firms Already 'Self-Correcting' DOL Rollover Rule Violations, Attorney Says
Financial Advisor Magazine, Aug. 18, 2022 - Firms Warned To Quickly Correct Any DOL Rollover-Rule Violations
Financial Advisor Magazine, Aug. 10, 2022 - B-Ds Advised To Consider Monitoring Riskier Rollover Investments
Financial Advisor Magazine, Mar. 15, 2022
Firm Blog Contributions
- Fred Reish Blog – Offering timely updates and insights on the retirement industry for service providers, plan sponsors, and registered investment advisors
- Broker Dealer Law Blog – a resource that provides practical insights on litigation, regulatory, compliance and fiduciary issues impacting broker-dealers
- Spotlight on Benefits – a blog offering practical insight on legal developments which impact benefit plans
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- American College of Employee Benefits Counsel — Charter Fellow
- Certified Financial Planning Board — Public Policy Council and Standards Resource Commission
- Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) — Advisory Council
- Arizona State University — Alumni Board of Directors; Trustee
- Institutional Retirement Income Council (IRIC)
- American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) — Previously Board of Directors; Co-chair, Government Affairs Committee
- Los Angeles IRS Benefits Conference — Previously Co-chair
- NAPA 401(k) Summit — Previously Co-founder and Co-chair
Firm Leadership
- Leader, Financial Services ERISA Practice Team
- Co-Leader, Best Interest Compliance Team
Honors
- Chambers USA — California: Los Angeles & Surrounds, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, 2016-23
- Best Lawyers® — Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 1995, 2024; Litigation - ERISA, 2020-24
- ThinkAdvisor — “Investment Advisor’s 25 Most Influential People,” 2016
- Century City Bar Association — Employee Benefits Lawyer of the Year, 2016
- Super Lawyers — 2005-21
- RIABiz — One of the Most Influential Individuals in the 401(k) Industry Affecting RIAs
- PLANADVISER — “Legends” of the retirement industry and retirement advisers
- American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries/Morningstar — 401(k) Leadership Award, 2009
- PLANSPONSOR — One of the “Legends” in the development of retirement plans
- 401kWire — “100 Most Influential People in Defined Contribution,” Multiple Years
- IRS Director’s Award, 1999
- IRS Commissioner’s Award, 1997
- PLANSPONSOR — Lifetime Achievement Award, 2006
- Institutional Investor — Lifetime Achievement Award, 2006
- ASPPA — Eidson Founders Award, 2004
- Arizona State University — Alumni Service Award
- Martindale-Hubbell — Peer Review Rating: AV® Preeminent
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.