Brian Pinheiro

Brian M. Pinheiro

Partner
Philadelphia

Brian M. Pinheiro is the Practice Leader of Ballard Spahr's Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group and has served as Chair of the firm's Business and Transactions Department. He is the firm’s Managing Partner for Finance and Operations.

Brian represents for-profit, tax-exempt, church, and government employers on matters relating to executive compensation, including Section 409A and the Section 280G golden parachute rules; tax-qualified retirement plans, including cash balance pension plans; 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans; and health and welfare benefit plans.

Professional Highlights

Professional Activities

American Bar Association

District of Columbia Bar Association

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law, Adjunct Professor, courses on employee benefits policy and tax-qualified retirement plans

Recognition & Accomplishments

The Legal 500 US, Labor and Employment - Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation, and Retirement Plans - Design, 2019-2023

Chambers USA, Labor and Employment: Employee Benefits and Compensation Law, 2006-2023

The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2010-2024, "Lawyer of the Year," Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (Philadelphia), 2020 and 2024

Speaking Engagements

Frequent lecturer on employee benefits issues and at firm-sponsored seminars for clients as well as seminars sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Lorman Educational Services, and the Public Employer Labor Relations Advisory Service

Presenter, "GPBCH Employer’s Forum - Q&A with the Experts: A COVID-19 Update," Ballard Spahr webinar, April 16, 2020

Presenter, "Paid Leave and Other Legal Considerations for the COVID-19 Pandemic," Ballard Spahr webinar, April 2, 2020

Board Memberships & Community Service

Board of Trustees, Settlement Music School, the largest community school of the arts in the United States

PENJERDEL Employee Benefits and Compensation Association (PEBA)

Credentials 

Education

The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (J.D. 1995, magna cum laude)
Production Editor, Catholic University Law Review

Georgetown University Law Center (LL.M. 1997, with distinction; Certificate in Employee Benefits)

Boston College (B.A. 1992)

Admissions

Pennsylvania