Executive compensation and employee benefits attorney Robert M. Cipolla has joined Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP as a partner in its Richmond, Va., office, bringing three decades of experience advising employers on complex benefits plans and compliance matters.
Cipolla’s national practice includes advising public and private companies, tax-exempt organizations, and government entities on the design and administration of retirement plans, health benefits, and executive compensation strategies. He also represents clients before regulatory agencies such as the IRS and U.S. Department of Labor.
Expertise in transactions and regulatory compliance
“Having advised on complex employee benefits and executive compensation matters for three decades, Rob brings incredibly valuable experience and insight to the firm,” said Cecelia Philipps Horner, co-head of Hunton’s tax and ERISA practice.
Cipolla’s background includes assisting clients with benefit and compensation matters tied to corporate transactions, such as mergers and spin-offs. His previous work includes:
- Helping a public company establish all employee benefit plans during a spin-off;
- Advising on an annuity lift-out involving $500 million in pension assets;
- Securing a private letter ruling from the IRS that saved a plan sponsor $20 million.
He has also led plan redesign efforts for Fortune 500 companies and counseled fiduciaries on compliance and restructuring strategies.
Recognized industry leader
Cipolla was most recently a partner at Calfee Halter & Griswold LLP and has also practiced at McGuireWoods LLP. He holds degrees from Virginia Tech and Cleveland State University College of Law.
His work has earned recognition from Chambers USA, Legal 500 U.S., and Best Lawyers in America, which named him the 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” for ERISA law in Richmond.
At Hunton, Cipolla joins a team that advises on a broad range of benefit programs, from 401(k) and nonqualified deferred compensation plans to health and welfare benefit arrangements.
