Mr. Pickle concentrates on representing clients in matters dealing with ERISA’s prohibited transactions and exemptions and ERISA’s fiduciary rules. He represents investment managers, financial institutions and plan sponsors in a wide variety of matters including investments and other transactions with ERISA plans and in litigation and government enforcement actions. He also assists clients in obtaining U.S. Department of Labor ERISA advisory opinions and prohibited transaction exemptions.
Mr. Pickle’s recent experience includes: defending major corporations in litigation and government enforcement actions alleging systematic overpricing of company stock in the corporate 401(k) plans; negotiating investment agreements for a plan’s hedge fund and other alternative investments; representing a major financial services firm on ERISA issues raised by loans to investment funds; counseling asset managers regarding fiduciary obligations raised by loss of foreign investments; and representing a trade association of investment managers in discussions with the U.S. Department of Labor relating to plan payment of fees and expenses.
Mr. Pickle was formerly a Trial Attorney at the U.S. Department of Labor’s office for ERISA enforcement, the Office of the Solicitor’s Plan Benefits Security Division. In that capacity he was responsible for ERISA investigation, enforcement and litigation of a wide variety of matters involving ERISA’s fiduciary rules and prohibited transactions. Mr. Pickle serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center.