Sam Schwartz-Fenwick

Labor & Employment Department; ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation; Labor & Employee Relations.

Mr. Schwartz-Fenwick is a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group of Seyfarth Shaw LLP.  He is particularly well-versed in benefits-related litigation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).  Mr. Schwartz-Fenwick defends complex class actions and single-plaintiff lawsuits under ERISA.  In the class action realm, he has defended various types of claims, including claims for benefits and claims for breach of fiduciary duty, including 401(k) fee litigation.

In addition to his ERISA litigation practice, Sam has significant experience in general employment matters. He regularly assists in the defense of complex litigation matters brought under the National Labor Relations Act, and represents clients in collective bargaining, in hearings before the National Labor Relations Board and in grievance arbitrations. Sam represents clients in litigation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act. He also provides day-to-day counseling and advice to clients about the various laws affecting the employment relationship, especially as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Sam speaks nationwide and publishes regularly on a variety of employment law and litigation topics, and issues regarding diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. He has serves as a Senior Editor to Employee Benefits Law (ABA) and is a member of the ABA’s Labor & Employment Law Nominating Committee.

Sam leads the firm’s LGBT Affinity Group and is the executive vice president of his synagogue.

J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, cum laude (2005); B.A., Tufts University, summa cum laude (2001)