Robert E. Brown

Rob has guided corporations, selling shareholders, employees and ESOP trustees through the intricate legal landscapes of tax, corporate finance law and employee benefits that govern ESOPs. His technical knowledge and judgment have enabled him to counsel businesses and individuals in a way that protects and builds their wealth, sustains their legacy and strengthens their core philosophy. Clients also rely on his continued guidance – he currently serves in director-level capacities for four ESOP companies.

As an authority on ESOP related issues, Rob has spoken at national, regional and local meetings of industry organizations such as the ESOP Association, the National Center for Employee Ownership, the Ohio Employee Ownership Center, the Tax Institute of America and the New York University Annual Institute of Federal Taxation. His articles and insights about ESOPs have been published in several annual issues of the New York University Review of Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation, reports on business and tax issues in connection with The New York University Institute on Federal Taxation and reports of the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association Tax Section.

An advocate for his home community of Rochester, Rob has served in a number of charitable and civic capacities including terms on the boards of WXXI public radio and TV, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the elected Rochester City School Board.

Affiliations

• New York Employee Benefits Conference, Founding Member and former Director, President and Vice President
• Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors, former Member
• American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, Fellow
• New York Employee Benefits Conference, Founding Member and former Director, President and Vice President
• New York State Bar Association
  • Tax Section, Executive Committee Member (1978-2014)
  • Task Force on Racism, Social Equity and the Law, Member (2021)
• American Bar Association, Tax Section, Member
• Fellows of The New York Bar Foundation, Member
• The ESOP Association Legislative and Regulatory Committee, Emeritus Member
• The National Center for Employee Ownership, Member

Recognition

Rob has been listed among “The Best Lawyers in America” in both tax law and employee benefits law since 1993. He was also named among 2012’s “Top 50 Upstate New York Super Lawyers” by Super Lawyers, and has garnered the Martindale-Hubbell “Preeminent” Peer Rating in the area of ESOPs and Employee Ownership Law.