LOS ANGELES, February 19, 2004 - On January 29th at the Los Angeles Benefits Conference, Fred Reish, managing partner of Reish Luftman Reicher & Cohen, received the IRS Commissioner's Award for his "dedication and outstanding personal contribution" to the country's retirement system. The award is the highest honor that can be bestowed by the Commissioner of the Tax Exempt & Government Entities Division of the IRS.

The citation recognized Mr. Reish's "sustained support" and commitment of his "extensive knowledge, energy and sound judgment" that has "fostered a strong working relationship between the Service and the private sector benefits community. . . Perhaps the most notable outgrowth of this cooperation and dialogue has been the employee plans voluntary compliance program and its many enhancements."

Mr. Reish co-founded the Los Angeles Benefits Conference in 1992 and has served as co-chair since its inception. Co-sponsored by the IRS and the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA), the conference represents a partnership between the private and public sectors by providing a unique setting for practitioners and government agency representatives to come together to discuss employee benefit issues. In 1999, Mr. Reish received the IRS Los Angeles District Director's Award in recognition for his contribution to employee benefits education and communication.

Bruce Ashton, President of the ASPPA and long-time law-firm partner of Mr. Reish, noted "This is not only a great honor for Fred, but something he justly deserves for his hard work in building his and the Firm's national reputation and in helping to change the shape of the retirement system."

Mr. Reish has practiced employee benefits law since 1973. His practice includes consulting with employers and fiduciaries; providing technical advice to administrators and actuaries; representation of plans, employers and fiduciaries before all government agencies; and consulting with banks, trust companies, insurance companies and mutual fund management companies on 401(k) investment products and issues related to plan investments.

Fred has written four books and over 200 articles on ERISA issues. Fred is a nationally known speaker on technical and litigation issues under ERISA. As an expert on ERISA matters, he is frequently quoted by both professional and public publications, including Fortune, Forbes, CFO Magazine, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Los Angeles Business Journal, Legal Times, Institutional Investor, Plan Sponsor, and Pension World.

The law firm of Reish Luftman Reicher & Cohen, located in West Los Angeles, has a national employee benefits practice representing plan sponsors, fiduciaries, investment managers and providers, and advisors to plans.