LOS ANGELES- Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW) is pleased to announce that Partner Steven M. Berliner has been named to the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America®, for his professional excellence in Municipal Law. Steve is the Chair of the firm’s Retirement, Benefits and Disability Practice Group and works to ensure that LCW stays on the cutting edge of the law related to these important areas. He has extensive labor relations experience and unparalleled retirement law expertise. This recognition marks Berliner’s third consecutive year receiving this distinction.
Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers recognitions are compiled based on an exhaustive Purely Peer Review® evaluation. More than 184,000 industry leading lawyers are eligible to vote (from around the world), and we have received more than 25.8 million evaluations on the legal abilities of other lawyers based on their specific practice areas around the world.
Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® is determined solely through a comprehensive peer-review survey. This year, over 31 million evaluations were analyzed, including a record-breaking 4.8 million new responses. Our commitment to a purely peer-based process reflects our belief that the top lawyers are best positioned to recognize excellence among their peers.
About Steven M. Berliner
Partner Steven M. Berliner has renowned expertise in the area of public agency retirement laws and vested rights. His extensive experience allows him to be ahead of the curve in spotting issues and trends in retirement law. Steve has acted as chief negotiator for many public agencies in labor negotiations with their employee groups, helping them reduce payroll and other costs. He also advises clients on contract interpretation issues and represents clients in grievance matters and is frequently called on to assist agencies in times of fiscal crisis.
Of particular importance to many agencies is reducing pension and retiree medical costs. Steve has successfully negotiated changes to agencies’ arrangements with public employees that resulted in employees paying a greater share of the cost for these benefits and other cost savings. This experience and his ability to describe issues in plain language helps clients plan and budget for changes.
Steve also litigates retirement issues on behalf of our clients. Whether it’s an administrative appeal of a CalPERS audit finding, or a lawsuit related to vested benefits, retiree medical benefits or any other retirement related matter, Steve brings his extensive knowledge and experience to each case.
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore congratulates Steve on this well-deserved honor!
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With offices throughout California, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore serves as trusted advisors to public agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Our legal experts provide client focused services in litigation, labor relations, negotiations, employment, business, and construction. LCW delivers vital web-based and live training to clients, proactively helping them avoid problems. Leveraging decades of expertise, we also conduct impartial workplace investigations for California’s private sector employers. Visit www.lcwlegal.com for more information.
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Cynthia Weldon
Director of Marketing & Training
310.981.2055
cweldon@lcwlegal.com