Eric D. Altholz

Eric maintains a diverse employee benefit and executive compensation practice with a focus on retirement plans, executive compensation, deferred compensation, and fiduciary governance.

Eric has extensive experience in issues that affect the benefit plans of employers in the health care industry and higher education, as well as other tax-exempt employers. He works extensively with boards of directors and compensation committees in the establishment of executive compensation programs and the development of sound fiduciary governance and compliance policies and practices.

Eric is the Chair of the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Group, a regular contributor to the Group’s blog, Benefits Law Update, and a frequent speaker on employee benefits topics. He has served on the firm’s Executive Board, has chaired the firm’s Hiring Committee and Associate Development Committee, and is currently the Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s Portland office.

Eric has served in leadership positions on a number of nonprofit boards in Portland. He is particularly proud of his work on the restoration of the Portland Observatory (1807), which achieved National Historic Landmark status. Eric recently served as President of the Portland Public Library. Eric enjoys time aboard his boat in Casco Bay and visiting New York City to reconnect with his urban roots.

Services/Industries

• Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
• Higher Education
• Tax & Nonprofit
• Health Care
• Strategic Counseling & Transactions

Education

• University of Chicago (J.D.)
• Columbia University (B.A., M.I.A.)

Public Service

• Trustee (2005-2016), President (2012-2015), Portland Public Library
• Trustee (2004-2011), President (2007-2009), Portland Ballet
• Trustee (1992-1998), Advisory Trustee (1999-present), Greater Portland Landmarks
• President, Portland Observatory Restoration Trust (1997-2001)

Bar Admissions

• Maine

Memberships

• National Association of College and University Attorneys
• Tax and Health Law Sections, Maine State Bar Association
• Maine Employee Benefits Council

Honors

• AV^® rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• Recognized in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business under Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
• Named the Best Lawyers^® under Business Organizations (including LLCs and partnerships) “Lawyer of the Year” in Portland, Maine (2019)
• Named the Best Lawyers^® under Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Portland, Maine (2017)
• Named the Best Lawyers^® under Health Care Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Portland, Maine (2015, 2020, 2026)
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America^® under Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Health Care Law, and Business Organizations (including LLCs and partnerships) in Portland, Maine (2024-2026)
• Named to the 2019 New England Super Lawyers list under Employee Benefits and Health Care

Learn more about the third-party ratings, rankings, and selection processes used for inclusion.