Clifford Chance LLP‘s group is highly regarded by its portfolio of renowned clients for its ‘collaborative and business-centred approach’. It is well-placed to provide advice to regulated companies regarding sensitive and complex remuneration issues spanning corporate governance matters, reputational damage prevention, changes on the board of executives, and malus and clawback issues. The team is also equipped to advise on incentive plans and multi-jurisdictional employee share plans. ‘Outstanding partner’ Sonia Gilbert heads up the practice and is experienced in handling incentive arrangements, remuneration and employment tax matters. Andrew Patterson is also a key practitioner with broad expertise in financial services work, while David Baxter is noted for his capabilities advising on the design and implementation of incentive plans in both domestic and international contexts.

The practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has a strong reputation for handling the full remit of complex and high-value remuneration and incentives work, which includes acting on the scheme elements of major corporate transactions such as high-stakes M&A deals, and advising on the arrangement of strategic partnerships. Corporate and financial services clients form the group's client roster, which the team also advises on corporate governance issues. ‘Wonderful remuneration expert’ Paul Ellerman specialises in advising listed and private companies on share plan and corporate governance issues, while the ‘exceptional’ Mark Ife has experience handling work for global banks and asset managers; the pair jointly lead the practice. Executive recruitment and termination cases form part of Kiran Khetia‘s workload. Niall Crean is also a key name to note, as is Chris White, who is well equipped to advise on cash and share-based incentive arrangements.

The group at Linklaters LLP is headed up by Alexandra Beidas and has a varied workload; its advisory work includes assisting global companies with the operation of international share plans, as well as handling issues in the financial services sector including bonus cap removals and cross-border pay regulations. On the transactional side, the group has notable experience acting for clients on high-profile mergers, audit separations, and investments, with clients including FTSE companies and regulators. Bradley Richardson stands out for his ‘expert knowledge of the employment and incentive landscape’, while the ‘excellent’ Cara Hegarty is noted for her experience advising on the breadth of incentive arrangement and pay reporting issues, alongside her transactional expertise. Nancy Price also attracts praise for her ‘amazing support’.

The offering at Slaughter and May is singled out for fielding the ‘top echelon of lawyers in the industry’. A portion of its recent work has involved advising renowned companies on the design, drafting and implementation of deferred bonus and long-term incentive plans; the group has also advised on the regulatory aspects of multi-jurisdictional financial matters, and complex incentives issues which result from international transactions. Highly experienced practitioner Philip Linnard heads up the team, which sits as part of the broader pensions, employment and incentives group, which Charles Cameron oversees. Ian Brown has specialist knowledge of executive compensation and share incentives, which he implements on transactional work. Rosemary Nelson has transactional and advisory capabilities, while newly promoted partner Philippa O’Malley is noted for her ‘technical skill’. Padraig Cronin retired in 2023.

Tapestry Compliance‘s ‘very unique’ practice is well placed to assist its extensive roster of clients, which features globally renowned corporates, on the full array of incentive and share plan matters. Its work includes assisting with the planning, implementation and documentation aspects of schemes as well as regulatory compliance issues; the group also has particular expertise in international mandates. Hannah Needle splits her time between London and Leeds and covers the full array of scheme-related work. Based in London and Birmingham, Chris Fallon‘s practice includes handling employment-related tax matters, as well as corporate governance work and renumeration disclosures. Fallon and Needle co-lead the practice, which also includes Bob Grayson, Suzannah Crookes, who has strong expertise in advising overseas companies, and Matthew Hunter, who focuses on financial services remuneration.

Mahesh Varia heads up the practice at Travers Smith LLP, which has a strong reputation for its ‘deep expertise and pragmatic approach’, and high-profile takeover work. Varia has strong expertise advising both public and private companies on the incentive arrangement aspects of high-stakes takeovers, an area of specialism shared by ‘real expert in her field’ Elissavet Grout; Hugo Twigg frequently supports Varia and Grout on mandates. The team’s advisory capabilities are also noteworthy, and it is equipped to guide clients through the operation of existing and proposed incentives arrangements. Claire Prentice advises on employee and management incentives, executive remuneration and employment tax issues.

Baker McKenzie is a key name in the market for cross-jurisdictional transactions, handling the share plan related aspects of corporate work for a client roster of household name clients. Jeremy Edwards is at the group's helm and is well placed to advise on the array of employee incentive matters, from design and implementation issues, to advising on remuneration developments and taxation. Gillian Parnell has broad-ranging expertise, which includes advising on modern workforce and remote working issues, as well as preparing clients for IR35 changes. Executive remuneration work is also one of the key areas of focus for both Will Clifton and Victoria Kirsch.

‘Seasoned professional’ Nick Hipwell heads up the offering at DLA Piper, which provides advice on the full spectrum of employee share plans matters, from design and implementation issues to providing ongoing support. In addition to its advisory capabilities, the team handles compliance-related matters, as well as offering support and guidance to clients regarding the impact of corporate transactions on complex cross-jurisdictional share plans. Martin MacLeod is a key name in the practice, with particular experience handling all-employee share schemes in international contexts, and bespoke executive arrangement matters. Tamsin Nicholds bolstered the practice with her arrival from Fieldfisher in October 2023, and Sarah Ferguson departed to Bird & Bird LLP in September 2023.

The practice at Latham & Watkins has Sarah Gadd at its helm, who has expertise in advising on the full array of employment, benefit and incentives issues. The team has the capacity to guide clients through the scheme elements of complex and high-value international transactions, such as acquisitions and takeovers; this is an area of particular specialism for Kendall Burnett who is active across the scope of the team’s work. The team is also equipped to assist with employee-related aspects of corporate governance and financial regulations, and on the life cycle of share schemes. Rebecca Servian bolstered the group with her April 2024 arrival from Ashurst.

The ‘exceptional’ Robert Collard oversees the practice at Macfarlanes LLP, which is noted for its ‘superior technical efficiency’ and is well-equipped to support clients on the design, implementation and operation of share and management incentive plans, in both cross-jurisdictional and domestic contexts. The group is also experienced in advising on ESOs, and acts for a varied portfolio of clients ranges from start-ups to international large-scale listed companies. In addition to this work, the team advises on financial remuneration, including the EU and UK remuneration regulations, which is a particular area of expertise of the ‘truly receptive’ Rasmus Berglund. Mark Petch has expertise in advising bespoke private companies on the array of matters, and Philip Swinburn is described as ‘sharp and resilient’.

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s group is overseen by Lynette Jacobs, who splits her time between London and Manchester and advises on all elements of international incentive plans and employee trusts, including advising on overseas due diligence compliance, tax and the consolidation of employee benefit trusts. The team works collaboratively with the firm’s employment group to provide the full scope of support on issues for a client roster spanning FTSE listed companies originating from an array of sectors. James Sullivan-Tailyour is noted as ‘an absolute pleasure to work with’ and specialises in advising on remuneration regulation, governance issues and share incentives.

Jonathan Fletcher-Rogers heads up the offering at Addleshaw Goddard, which has noteworthy capabilities in advising clients on remuneration policies, corporate governance and disclosure obligations, and the full array of employment issues. Clients span a varied range of sectors from the financial services to the commercial services industry. In addition, the group is equipped to provide support to clients on the collateral effects of transactions on employee incentive schemes. ‘Particularly outstanding’ practitioner Ann Moseley is noted for her cross-border incentives work, as is Leeds-based practitioner Martin Griffiths.

The practice at CMS is formed of ‘true experts’ and harnesses strong abilities to advise a roster of clients which features FTSE companies, start-ups and multinational corporations across the array of industry sectors. The team's employee incentives work includes advising on the related aspects of high-value and cross-border sales and acquisitions; the team also has a reputation for its ability to ‘navigate the complexities of EOT structures’ and is developing an employment securities disputes practice, which is led by noteworthy practitioner Jaspal Pachu. The broader team is led by Andrew Quayle, who has expertise handling the creation of bespoke management incentive plans for private equity-houses and privately owned companies. Further names to note include Dilpa Raval, bespoke equity and cash incentives expert Catherine Merry, and specialist Graham Muir.

Paula Holland is experienced in advising on the full gamut of employee share scheme matters, and oversees Cooley (UK) LLP‘s share scheme offering. Executive compensation, equity incentives and complex share schemes are all areas of expertise of the team, which advises on implementation matters, employee benefit trusts and remuneration policies; the latter is an area of focus of Bethan Chalmers. The ‘fantastic’ Jia Xie is a key name to note, and Nicola Squire advises on share scheme and incentive-related aspects of IPOs, M&A and SPACs, among other corporate transactions.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP‘s group is adept at handling the entire remit of employee incentives and share scheme matters. Alongside its advisory work, the team is well-placed to assist with the share scheme-related aspects of high-value transactions, including complex public to private takeovers and acquisitions. Danny Blum helms the global practice from London, while former Leeds-based national team head Mathew Gorringe retired in April 2024. Victoria Green is well-regarded for her experience handling international, financial services and public limited company-related matters in particular.

Fieldfisher‘s team has a particular specialism in employee ownership trust matters; co-heads of the group Mark Gearing and Neil Palmer are both highly regarded for their ‘deep experience’ in this area. The team also has strong expertise in advising employee-owned companies on the establishment and implementation of companies and hybrid EO structures; it also assists EO clients with tax, share plan and M&A-related matters, supporting clients with incentive and remuneration plans. Graeme Nuttall retired from practice in March 2024 and Jennifer Martin departed the team in December 2023.

The team at Mishcon de Reya LLP is highly regarded for its ‘wealth of experience in the incentives field’. The group is headed up by Stephen Diosi and is capable of advising a broad range of clients, from listed companies and financial services organisations, to pre-IPO companies. The team advises on the share scheme elements of notable complex transactions, and is well-equipped to provide ongoing advice to companies regarding the plethora of share scheme stages, from design and implementation, to exit work. Tax and EOT specialist Liz Hunter is a key practitioner, as is Sakhee Ganatra, who has experience supporting on cross-jurisdictional work.

The team at Norton Rose Fulbright is experienced in advising clients on all aspects of bespoke incentive plans, particularly assisting companies in the fintech sector and those that are private equity-backed. The group is also well-placed to advise on the share plan aspects of high-profile and high-value transactions, including disposals, buy-outs and complex purchases. Practice head Matthew Findley has a particular specialism in employee benefits and executive compensation matters; clients state his ‘knowledge and expertise in his field are standout’. Barbara Gaffey has expertise in advising on the array of corporate transaction-related share scheme work.

The practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP is led by Louise Batty and is well placed to advise its roster of clients on the impact of high-value transactions, including takeovers and acquisitions, on incentives and compensatory schemes. Batty is experienced advising on a broad range of related aspects, from tax to trusts issues. Design, implementation and operation specialist Kate Crompton is a key name to note in the team, while Katie Barnes has experience advising well-known names and FTSE companies on equity incentives and remuneration matters at a global level.

Taylor Wessing LLP‘s ‘quick and effective’ practice has expertise covering the share scheme aspects of high-value and cross-jurisdictional transactions, acting for well-known corporate clients; the group's client roster features names across a range of sectors including the energy, tech and professional services industries. In addition, the practice also handles the design and implementation of all employee plans, employee trusts, and share incentive plans. Team head Ann Casey is experienced in advising national and international clients, and Claire Matthews ensures ‘the best possible customer service’, while Katie Lewis is described as ‘phenomenally good’.

Employee ownership trusts are the specialist focus of the group at Postlethwaite Solicitors Ltd, which has a workload which includes complex transactions, including advising on the sale of a company to an EOT, as well as reviewing and updating share options. The ‘reliable, courteous and very efficient’ Robert Postlethwaite heads up the practice alongside David Reuben, who has experience assisting SME clients in particular.

Dan Sharman heads up Shoosmiths LLP‘s offering with support from Reading-based head of tax Tom Wilde. The practice is well equipped to advise both public and private companies on mandates ranging from the design and implementation of incentives, including providing guidance on tax aspects, to supporting on various transactions, particularly M&A. Marie Mann is praised as ‘exceptional’ by clients.

Simmons & Simmons‘ group is particularly experienced in handling remuneration regulatory work in the financial services sector. The practice also has capabilities in advising on the full remit of incentives-related issues, from supporting clients through the life cycle of schemes to offering guidance on the related impact of various transactions; the group also advises investment clients on compliance with the IFPR. The ‘very proactive’ Tair Hussain helms the practice.

‘Experienced and efficient operator’ Nicholas Stretch heads up the group at Stephenson Harwood. Listed and private companies feature on the team’s sector-spanning client list, and the group has expertise in advising on employee share plan and remuneration matters as well as transaction-related work. Desiree De Lima is a key practitioner with experience supporting clients through the design and implementation of various share plan options.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP‘s practice is part of the firm’s broader global tax, executive compensation and benefits team. Executive remuneration and related issues, and employee and management incentives matters makes up the team’s workload. The group is experienced in handling a broad range of work in both domestic and cross-jurisdictional contexts. Oliver Walker is a tax and incentives specialist who leads the team alongside Kevin Donegan, who is ‘a pleasure to work with’ according to clients.

White & Case LLP‘s team is noted for providing ‘excellent support’ to its well-known clients, advising on international share scheme mandates. The group is well equipped to support its clients with the operation of incentive plans, as well as handling the due diligence and documentation aspects of plans, and advising on the incentives-related elements of noteworthy transactional matters. ‘Outstanding lawyer’ Nicholas Greenacre heads up the practice.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner‘s group is overseen by David Dennison, who harnesses significant experience in advising on the full array of share plan-related issues. The team assists with the design and establishment of share plans for its company clients, as well assisting with the operation of plans.

Burges Salmon LLP‘s practice is led by Nigel Watson, who is based in the firm’s Edinburgh office. The practice is experienced in advising on the design, implementation and management of schemes involving employees and non-employees, including making bespoke amendments and providing general corporate advice at a domestic and international level. The ‘impressive’ Claire Withers in Edinburgh and Bristol’s Elena Visser-Adams are also key practitioners.

Dechert LLP‘s group is led by ‘exceptional’ practitioner Daniel Hawthorne, who specialises in tax and incentives matters. The team’s client portfolio features investment managers and funds as well as corporate clients. The team's workload spans multiple jurisdictions and the group advises on the establishment and implementation of incentives plans, as well as disputes that arise from such plans. ‘Technical expert’ Jason Butwick is a noteworthy member of the team.

Fox Williams LLP‘s group is headed up by tax expert Emma Bailey and is noted for providing its clients with a ‘great service’. Equity incentives and employee share scheme matters feature in the team’s workload, which includes establishing bespoke share incentive arrangements for clients in the tech and fintech sectors in particular.

Mayer Brown International LLP‘s group has significant experience in advising clients on a long-term basis on employee share scheme matters in both domestic and international contexts. Team lead Andrew Stanger has expertise advising on the broad scope of employee share plans and equity incentives work, particularly on the tax aspects.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP‘s practice is noted for its ‘global reach’ and has experience advising on the share scheme-related aspects of significant transactions, including financings and acquisitions. The tech and life sciences industries are the sectors that team head Anna Humphrey has particular expertise in, advising on the array of employee incentives matters; she is well-regarded by clients for her ‘superior knowledge’.