Robert Johnston Bio

For nearly 35 years, Bob has served the Firm's clients on employee benefit and executive compensation matters. Nearly every business buy/sell transaction presents numerous challenges with respect to coordinating the buyer's and seller's benefit and compensation plans. Bob works closely with Howard & Howard's transaction attorneys to help our clients navigate benefit plan mergers and terminations, coordinate health and other insurance plans, and design severance plans. He has extensive experience in assisting publicly and privately held companies navigate the complex tax rules applicable to golden parachute payments in connection with a company's change in control. Together with our securities law attorneys, Bob assists clients in aligning the interests of business owners and their management team by creating equity incentive plans that compensate directors, key executives, and employees with awards of equity or deferred compensation programs that are tied to the company's value. Bob represents clients before the IRS and the Department of Labor with respect to qualified retirement and other ERISA plan matters, including 401(k) plans, pension plans, and ESOPs. Bob has represented numerous clients in the formation of ESOPs, both in connection with business succession planning for closely held businesses and public companies with the desire to promote employee ownership. Bob regularly counsels clients on the design and implementation of deferred compensation plans for key executives in order to provide deferred compensation and benefits not possible under the client's qualified plans. He assists the Firm's clients in compliance and tax effectiveness of health insurance, life insurance, and other benefit plan coverage, including compliance with the Affordable Care Act.