Harold J. Ashner

Harold J. Ashner is a senior attorney at The Wagner Law Group. He concentrates on employee benefits law, with a nationally recognized focus on matters involving the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). He provides strategic guidance to Fortune 500 companies, law firms, and financial institutions navigating complex PBGC regulatory issues.

Harold earned his Juris Doctor from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Albany. His deep regulatory background and legal insight are rooted in decades of public and private sector experience.

From 1988 to 2005, Harold served as the PBGC’s Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulations, leading the development and implementation of most PBGC regulations and policies. He helped shape key rules on premiums, plan terminations, valuations, and benefit payments. Today, that deep, hands-on regulatory experience powers his highly respected private practice and trusted guidance on PBGC and pension law matters.

After leaving PBGC, Harold co-founded Keightley & Ashner, a boutique firm dedicated to PBGC matters, which later merged with The Wagner Law Group. His current practice covers PBGC’s Early Warning Program, distress and involuntary terminations, M&A implications, bankruptcy strategy, and liability settlements, making him a go-to resource for employers and professionals nationwide.

Harold J. Ashner is consistently recognized for his excellence in employee benefits law. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America© since 2016, named a Washington, D.C. Super Lawyer every year since 2008, and holds an AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He is a Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel and serves in leadership roles with the American Bar Association.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, The Wagner Law Group
• Former Co-Founder, Keightley & Ashner
• PBGC Liaison, Employee Benefits Committee, ABA Taxation Section
• Co-Vice Chair and Former Chair, Plan Transactions & Terminations Committee, ABA Real Property Section
• Co-Chair, Corporate Plan Terminations & Benefit Insurance Subcommittee, ABA Labor & Employment Section
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Bar Association of the District of Columbia
• Fellow, American College of Employee Benefits Counsel

Licensed State

• District of Columbia
• New York

Education

• State University of New York at Buffalo Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• State University of New York at Albany
  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Awards & Badges