Biography
Joseph E. Ronan Jr. is an experienced practitioner with over 40 years of practice who focuses his work on executive compensation, equity compensation, employee benefits, non-competition, federal and state tax law, and related business issues. While he occasionally will represent some businesses directly, the bulk of his work is for individual executives or groups of executives facing complex financial and/or structural issues in the context of joining or leaving a business as a C-suite executive or similar capacity. After working for decades in two major US law firms, including as a partner, and a Fortune 25 law department, Joseph established a solo practice based in Norwich, Vermont, in 2016. His work continues to be nationwide in the US and internationally, including the UK, EU, and Asia. He has developed a network of other lawyers and consultants who can assist as needed for technical and litigation matters. Joseph Ronan is admitted to practice in New York, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and Vermont. He has been an adjunct professor in the LLM in Taxation program at Villanova Law School for over 20 years and has served as an expert witness on the taxation of deferred compensation.
Experience
Ronan Law Group, PLLC, Norwich, VT (2017-Present)
Principal in firm focusing on tax, executive compensation, employee benefits and related areas.
Principal in firm focusing on tax, executive compensation, employee benefits and related areas.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP, Philadelphia PA (1999-2016)
Senior Counsel (2007-2016); Partner (2001-2007); Of Counsel (1999-2001)
Broad-based employee benefits, tax and executive compensation practice; internal responsibility for strategic planning and practice expansion
Senior Counsel (2007-2016); Partner (2001-2007); Of Counsel (1999-2001)
Broad-based employee benefits, tax and executive compensation practice; internal responsibility for strategic planning and practice expansion
Bell Atlantic Corporation (now Verizon), Philadelphia, PA (1987-1999)
General Attorney (1997-1999); Senior Attorney (1993-1997); Attorney (1987-1993)
Broad-based tax, employee benefits and executive compensation practice; responsibility for transactional, state and local and pension issues.
General Attorney (1997-1999); Senior Attorney (1993-1997); Attorney (1987-1993)
Broad-based tax, employee benefits and executive compensation practice; responsibility for transactional, state and local and pension issues.
Blank Rome, LLP, Philadelphia, PA (1983-1987)
Associate
Broad-based tax and employee benefits issues.
Associate
Broad-based tax and employee benefits issues.
Education
New York University School of Law, New York, NY
J.D., 1979; LL.M. (Taxation), 1983
Research Editor, NYU Review of Law and Social Change
Rutgers University, Camden, NJ
M.A., 2017 (English, summa cum laude, thesis with distinction)
Thesis on Wallace Stevens
Haverford College, Haverford, PA
B.A. (Honors in Philosophy), 1976
National Merit Scholar
Friends Select School, Philadelphia, PA
H.S.D., 1972
Bar Admissions
Vermont Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association
New York Bar Association
District of Columbia Bar Association
Various Federal Courts and U.S. Tax Courts
Public Service
Board Member, Vice President of Board, Vermont Legal Aid, 2025-
Instructor, Vermont Law School (2018-present)
Adjunct Professor of Law, Villanova University School of Law (2000-present)
President, Board of Directors, Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (1987-1991); Board member (2020-present)
Member, Town of Sharon Selectboard (2017-2020); Chair (2018-2020)
Member, Town of Sharon, VT Planning Commission (2017-2019)
Chair, Board of Trustees, Friends Select School (2009-2013); Chair, Capital Campaign (2012-2015); Clerk, Development Committee (2015-2017)
Chair, Tax Section, Philadelphia Bar Association (2007)
Board Member, Philabundance (2001-2007)
Chair, Annual Fund Executive Committee, Haverford College (2004-2008)
Chair, ABA Tax Section Committee on Public Utilities (1999)
Instructor, Vermont Law School (2018-present)
Adjunct Professor of Law, Villanova University School of Law (2000-present)
President, Board of Directors, Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (1987-1991); Board member (2020-present)
Member, Town of Sharon Selectboard (2017-2020); Chair (2018-2020)
Member, Town of Sharon, VT Planning Commission (2017-2019)
Chair, Board of Trustees, Friends Select School (2009-2013); Chair, Capital Campaign (2012-2015); Clerk, Development Committee (2015-2017)
Chair, Tax Section, Philadelphia Bar Association (2007)
Board Member, Philabundance (2001-2007)
Chair, Annual Fund Executive Committee, Haverford College (2004-2008)
Chair, ABA Tax Section Committee on Public Utilities (1999)
Honors
Listed in Best Lawyers in America; Superlawyers; Who's Who in America and in American Law;
Rated Pre-Eminent in Martindale Hubbell
William E. Sheppard Award, Haverford College (alumni service to College)
Charles Perry Award, Haverford College (fundraising service to College)
Meritorious Service Award, Friends Select School
Morgan Lewis Pro Bono Award
Rated Pre-Eminent in Martindale Hubbell
William E. Sheppard Award, Haverford College (alumni service to College)
Charles Perry Award, Haverford College (fundraising service to College)
Meritorious Service Award, Friends Select School
Morgan Lewis Pro Bono Award