Representing a large and diverse group of global public and private companies, as well as private equity sponsors, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton advises clients on the most complex executive compensation and employee benefits matters, including those arising from public and private M&A transactions, private equity deals, spin-offs, IPOs, divestitures, carve-outs, bankruptcies, and restructurings. Under the leadership of Michael Albano, the practice also handles governance matters, advising on executive and director succession planning, independent investigations, shareholder engagement and compensation, as well as environmental, social, and governance issues. Albano brings over two decades of experience and focuses on the most complex matters in the market, addressing the commercial, tax, ERISA, and governance considerations of each transaction and client. He is supported by the 'exceptional' Julia Petty, who is well-versed in domestic and cross-border transactions and advises on disclosure, governance, and shareholder engagement matters, particularly in connection with change-of-control transactions, shareholder activism, and other significant corporate events. Elizabeth Dyer is also a key member of the practice, advising clients on complex ERISA-related matters. All mentioned individuals are based in the firm's New York office.

The New York-based team at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP focuses on executive compensation and benefits issues arising in complex corporate transactions. It assists clients in analyzing the associated legal and financial risks, negotiating all executive compensation and benefits aspects of transactions, developing succession arrangements and other compensation and benefits plans, and navigating the related securities, disclosure, corporate governance, tax, ERISA, and accounting considerations. The practice is led by Eric Hilfers, described by clients as ‘remarkable to work with’, focuses on executive compensation and employee benefits matters in connection with mergers and acquisitions and other business transactions. In addition to handling executive compensation matters, Jonathan Katz also oversees a range of human resources-related issues and ensures compliance with securities laws. Matthew Bobby  is also a key member of the practice. Amanda Hines Gold has departed the team.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP advises public and private companies, financial institutions, and private capital clients on a broad range of employment benefits and executive compensation issues related to complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, recapitalisations, spin-offs, restructurings and bankruptcies, IPOs, as well as joint ventures and sophisticated commercial arrangements. Under the leadership of Jennifer Conway, the practice is also regarded for its work on corporate governance matters, senior executive recruitment, and the design and implementation of equity-based retention and other incentive compensation programmes. Conway brings over two decades of experience, focusing on executive compensation and employee benefits matters related to mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, and IPOs. Kyoko Takahashi Lin manages employment agreements, deferred compensation, and severance plans, while Adam Kaminsky focuses on private equity deals and portfolio company compensation matters. Veronica Wissel advises clients on the ERISA considerations involved in the investment and management of pension plan assets in private funds, as well as other investment products and structures. While Kaminsky is based in Washington, DC, the other practitioners referenced are based in New York.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP‘s employee benefits and executive compensation practice is a core component of the firm’s interdisciplinary client teams, working closely with its M&A, leveraged finance, capital markets, insurance, banking, and tax practices to deliver well-coordinated and commercially focused advice tailored to each client’s unique objectives. The team has deep experience in the private equity industry, with substantial knowledge of compensation, employment, corporate governance, ERISA, and securities laws, and regularly assists clients in assessing human capital and liability considerations in connection with complex M&A transactions. The New York-based practice head, Jonathan Lewis, oversees all aspects of executive compensation and the strategic deployment of human capital, with a particular focus on the private equity, healthcare, and insurance sectors. He is supported by Franklin Mitchell in New York, who advises on disclosure and governance matters, negotiates executive compensation arrangements, and counsels on the executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions. In Washington DC, Simone Hicks focuses on a broad range of executive compensation and employee benefits issues, including the benefits and tax considerations that arise in both public and private M&A transactions.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP supports public and private companies, as well as private equity funds, through employee benefits issues arising in a wide variety of corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, carve-outs, and divestitures. The practice also manages restructuring matters related to qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, ESOPs, multi-employer plans, and health and welfare benefit plans. Austin and New York-based Scott Price represents high-profile executives and management teams in negotiating employment and incentive arrangements, alongside equity arrangements, deferred compensation, severance, and other executive programs. Michael Falk is well-versed in qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, Code Section 409A, Code Section 280G, and the compensation aspects of mergers and acquisitions, while Alexandra Mihalas focuses on transactional ERISA matters for private and public companies, with a focus on acquisitions and sales by private equity funds. Both Falk and Mihalas are based in the firm's Chicago office.

Working closely with the firm’s corporate M&A, capital markets, and banking teams, Latham & Watkins’s ‘incredibly knowledgeable’ executive compensation, employment, and benefits practice advises public and private companies of all sizes on the full spectrum of executive compensation and related matters. The team handles complex tax and securities law issues, counsels on ERISA, and advises on benefit plan considerations in outsourcing transactions, as well as employment and benefits litigation. The practice is jointly led by Larry Seymour in Los Angeles and James Metz in Silicon Valley, with Seymour representing public and private clients in equity-based incentive arrangements, severance packages, and transaction-related incentives, and Metz focuses on navigating intricate tax, securities, and corporate law considerations. In Washington DC, David Della Rocca brings significant experience in addressing compensation and benefits issues arising in mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and spin-offs. Based in New York, Bradd Williamson and Austin Ozawa advise private and public companies on the executive compensation, employment, and benefits aspects of corporate transactions, with Ozawa also providing counsel on SEC and ERISA compliance.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP assists private and public companies, private equity, hedge and other investment funds, and plan sponsors on wide range of complex executive compensation and employee benefits matters, such as creating, negotiating, and modifying executive incentives and change-of-control arrangements, and addressing issues that arise in connection with the assumption of, or the failure to assume, benefit plans and other employee obligations. New York-based Jean McLoughlin and Lawrence Witdorchic co-head the practice, with McLoughlin focusing on the negotiation of employment incentives and compensation, including management equity arrangements and the related tax and securities implications, and Witdorchic managing executive compensation and employee benefits features of mergers, acquisitions, takeovers, dispositions, and IPOs. New-York based Andrea Wahlquist Brown is a key contact for the representation of public companies in strategic mergers and spin-offs, as well as in initial public offerings. Jarrett Hoffman has left the firm.

With expertise in the private equity sector, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s New York-based compensation and benefits practice brings extensive experience across a broad range of matters, including the structuring and negotiation of sophisticated management equity, employment, and incentive compensation arrangements, and advises on all compensation and benefits aspects of acquisitions and divestitures, as well as public offerings of private equity portfolio companies, serving clients in New York and across the United States. Practice head Gregory Grogan focuses on executive retention and incentive arrangements in the context of M&A transactions and IPOs, while Andrew Blau manages executive compensation and benefits programmes, implementing key executive employment agreements, management incentive plans, and equity arrangements throughout the full corporate lifecycle. Jeannine McSweeney is a notable practitioner for compensation and benefits matters such as equity- and cash-based incentive plans, deferred compensation arrangements, retirement plans, and severance agreements, with particular experience advising on these issues in connection with mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures. Brian Robbins has retired in 2025.

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz advises boards and senior executives on high-stakes issues facing public and private companies, drawing on deep experience in executive compensation, domestic and cross-border M&A, acquisitions, divestitures, and other complex transactions. The practice also manages corporate governance challenges, including executive succession, proxy contests, and shareholder activism. Practice head Jeannemarie O’Brien has extensive experience in executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of transactions, with a particular focus on transactions involving financial services institutions. She is supported by Adam Shapiro and Michael Schobel, who are key contacts for employee compensation and benefits matters across mergers and acquisitions and other transactions. All are based in the firm’s New York office. Jarrett Hoffman has joined the firm.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP continues to advise large multinational corporations and their boards of directors, as well as private equity sponsors and their public and private portfolio companies, on a wide range of compensation and employee benefits matters, with particular focus on compensation and benefits aspects of strategic acquisitions, mergers, and divestitures, as well as fund formations, IPOs and other financing transactions, and bankruptcy and restructuring proceedings. Practice head Paul Wessel concentrates on employee benefits and executive compensation issues arising in M&A and financial restructurings, while also providing counsel on ERISA matters, pension investments, and fiduciary responsibilities. He is supported by Jennifer Haydel Britz, who advises clients on the implementation and management of severance arrangements, change-in-control agreements, and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and Amanda Rotkel, who brings expertise in complex equity-based compensation programs for public companies, domestic and international private equity sponsors, and their portfolio companies. All noted individuals are based in New York.

Noted for its ‘truly global coordination and multidisciplinary approach’, Freshfields oversees the employee benefits and executive compensation components of major corporate transactions, and manages structuring equity arrangements, negotiating employment and severance agreements, addressing golden parachute tax issues under Section 280G, and managing deferred compensation matters under Section 409A. Nicole Foster and Lori Goodman, based in New York, and Sarah Ghulamhussain and Heather Brookfield, based in Silicon Valley, jointly lead the practice, focusing on the executive compensation and benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, initial public offerings, liquidity programs, and other complex business transactions. Their work is strengthened by New York-based Jordan Salzman, who brings extensive experience in governance matters, securities law, and compensation disclosure, advising employers and executives on the negotiation and implementation of employment, severance, retention, and change-in-control arrangements.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP handles the full spectrum of executive compensation and employee benefits matters, including human resources issues, ERISA, federal income tax, and securities law considerations, particularly in connection with mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and public offerings. Practice head Jeffrey Ross focuses on complex fiduciary issues arising in asset management transactions, with particular emphasis on the application of ERISA’s fiduciary and prohibited transaction rules to the structuring, operation, and administration of private investment funds and investment management arrangements. He is supported by Amy Blackman, who counsels on executive and director compensation and employee benefits programmes in the context of ongoing corporate operations, and Andrea Pollak, who manages ERISA regulatory matters relating to the structuring, formation, and operation of investment funds and management platforms. All mentioned individuals are based in New York.

Managing a broad spectrum of executive compensation and employee benefits matters, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP helps clients with equity compensation arrangements, executive and director pay structures, retirement and deferred compensation plans, and health, welfare, and fringe benefit programmes. It also represents clients in ERISA litigation and counsels management teams on compensation and benefits issues arising in business restructuring transactions. Los Angeles-based Sean Feller and Dallas-based Krista Hanvey jointly lead the practice, with Feller advising companies, boards of directors, and management teams on executive compensation and employee benefits arising in mergers and acquisitions, and Hanvey bringing expertise in the implementation of public and private equity compensation and employee stock purchase plans. Ekaterina Napalkova, based in New York, is a key contact for human capital, compensation, and employee benefits matters arising in mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, IPOs, and spin-offs. In Washington DC, Michael Collins' practice spans the full range of tax, ERISA, accounting, corporate, and securities law issues relating to equity compensation arrangements, retirement and deferred compensation plans, and executive employment agreements.

Relied upon by boards of directors, compensation committees, and both public and private companies, Hogan Lovells US LLP handles complex executive compensation, employee benefits, and ERISA fiduciary matters, with notable experience in the life sciences and healthcare, technology, real estate, finance, hospitality, and sports industries. Its services cover executive and incentive compensation, equity and global equity programs, health and welfare plans, ERISA fiduciary and investment matters, as well as compensation and benefits considerations in mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, joint ventures, and initial public offerings. Martha Steinman, based in New York, and Carin Carithers, based in Washington DC, co-head the practice, with Steiman supporting clients through employee benefits matters arising in mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, and providing guidance on post-closing transition issues. Carithers collaborates closely with the firm’s Corporate & Finance practice and clients’ human resources to ensure that executive, employee, and employee benefits matters are thoroughly evaluated and effectively negotiated throughout the transaction. Clients recognize the New York-based David Olstein for his deep expertise in ERISA matters.

Morrison Foerster oversees employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of high-profile mergers and acquisitions, financing, and capital market transactions, and advises clients on due diligence, transaction bonuses, retention plans, equity award treatment, and negotiation of compensation and benefits terms. Rachel Faye Smith heads the practice from the firm’s Boston office, specializing in ERISA and employee benefits, advising on both mergers and acquisitions and the regulatory requirements governing benefit plan operations. Crescent Moran Chasteen, also in Boston, is highly experienced in all aspects of executive compensation, including tax, securities, and accounting matters, with a focus on equity-based programs, employment, retention, severance, and change-in-control arrangements. New York-based Domnick Bozzetti and Joshua Lerner manage compensation and benefits aspects of corporate transactions, including mergers, spin-offs, and initial public offerings. Yuan Xia in Palo Alto is also a key member of the team.

The New York-based practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP assists public and private companies, management teams, boards of directors, and executives on the full spectrum of employee compensation matters. This includes issues related to tax, securities, bankruptcy, corporate governance, and ERISA claims, as well as counsel on a wide range of executive compensation arrangements and all types of stock- and cash-based plans. Practice lead Erica Schohn focuses on compensation and benefits aspects of national and cross-border corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, bankruptcy reorganizations, and carve-out deals. She is supported by Joseph Penko, who serves as a key contact for executive employment and severance agreements, retention and change-in-control plans, and cash- and equity-based incentive programs. Joseph Yaffe retired in January 2026.

The New York-based practice at A&O Shearman offers comprehensive transactional advice to clients engaged in M&A and other corporate deals, covering structural analysis and due diligence, treatment of equity compensation, onboarding of management teams, and post-closing integration and execution. Brian Jebb and John Cannon jointly lead the practice, with each bringing extensive experience helping global employers with employment law, compensation and employee benefits, as well as tax and ERISA matters. Doreen Lilienfeld and Melisa Brower lead the design and implementation of employment arrangements, equity and cash-based incentive plans, and retention programs.

Baker McKenzie manages domestic and international employee benefits, executive compensation, equity compensation, as well as the benefits and compensation aspects of major cross-border business transformations. This encompasses mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, reorganizations, mass redundancies, and post-acquisition integrations. Practice head Barbara Klementz helps companies implement equity and other incentive programs globally and manages the treatment of these programs in corporate transactions. She is supported by Denise Glagau, who handles tax and legal matters for global share and incentive plans, and Sinead Kelly, who advises on designing, administering, and governing executive and director compensation arrangements, including equity and incentive programs. All mentioned individuals are based in San Francisco.

Cooley LLP handles complex executive compensation and employee benefits matters throughout the corporate lifecycle, bringing deep experience on both the buy-side and sell-side of private and public company transactions, including private equity deals, mergers and acquisitions, and IPOs. The practice is led by Barbara Mirza, based in Los Angeles, who is a key contact to prepare companies for the transition from private to public and guide them through the compensation-related aspects of the IPO process. Palo Alto-based Alessandra Murata handles executive compensation and benefits for clients in technology, life sciences, private equity, and REIT sectors; Washington DC-based Michael Bergmann advises on employment, severance, and cash- and equity-based incentive compensation; and Nyron Persaud in New York focuses on executive compensation and benefits in high-stakes corporate transactions and governance challenges.

Fenwick & West LLP advises clients on equity plans, executive compensation, and other employment benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, onboarding, and terminations, as well as compensation-related corporate governance and disclosure mandates. Practice head Shawn Lampron covers the full range of equity and cash compensation matters, including stock options, restricted stock units, deferred compensation, fringe benefits, and employment and severance agreements. Marshall Mort and Nancy Chen are key contacts for handling tax, securities, and employment issues related to equity compensation and for designing plans and arrangements for stock options, restricted stock units, and deferred compensation programs. All the mentioned individuals are based in Silicon Valley.

Goodwin advises on the full range of compensation and benefits matters, integrating tax, accounting, corporate governance, and securities law, as well as all facets of ERISA fiduciary matters. This includes addressing compensation and benefits aspects of financings, mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and proxy disclosures. Silicon Valley-based Cisco Palao-Ricketts and Boston-based James Mattus co-head the practice, with Palao-Ricketts supporting start-ups, emerging companies, and public companies in compensation and employee benefits matters. Lynda Galligan, based in Silicon Valley, focuses on tax and securities law aspects of equity-based arrangements; Boston-based Natascha George manages executive employment and consulting arrangements, severance matters, and equity compensation plans in both routine operations and transactions; and Alexandra Denniston in Boston assists with SEC reporting requirements related to executive compensation.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe‘s practice assists public and private companies, boards of directors, as well as individual executives in a wide range of compensation and benefits mandates, managing compensation governance and proxy disclosure, financings, high-stakes litigation, complex plan administration and investment matters, and compliance with federal and state corporate, securities, and tax laws. Practice head Juliano Banuelos, based in San Francisco, is well-versed in executive compensation matters and related fiduciary duty and governance issues. San Francisco-based Jason Flaherty focuses on the taxation of executive and equity compensation arrangements, including severance and executive employment agreements, while in Silicon Valley, Michael Wiesner handles compensation and benefits matters in both day-to-day business operations and transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions.

Vinson & Elkins LLP provides comprehensive advice across the full range of executive compensation and benefits matters, covering both business transactions and day-to-day plan administration. The practice advises on executive compensation, securities law, corporate governance, retirement plans, and health and welfare benefits. Based in both Houston and Dallas, David D’Alessandro and Dallas-based David Peck jointly lead the practice, with D’Alessandro focusing on the tax and securities issues arising from executive compensation arrangements. Patricia Adams and Joo Hyun Lee, both based in New York, manage a broad range of compensation and benefits arrangements, with particular focus on these matters arising in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and initial public offerings.

The New York-based team at White & Case LLP advises on the full spectrum of employment, compensation, and benefits matters, spanning advisory, transactional, contentious, and non-contentious work, including executive pay, incentive structures, employee transfers, and complex multi-jurisdictional redundancies and restructurings. Henrik Patel is recognized for managing complex compensation and benefits challenges, both in day-to-day operations and within high-stakes corporate transactions. Sasha Belinkie joined from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in February 2025 and focuses on executive compensation and benefits matters in mergers and acquisitions, spinoffs, and divestitures. Tal Marnin is a key adviser to private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, structuring management compensation in corporate transactions and navigating sensitive executive compensation and benefits matters.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP oversees all aspects of executive compensation and employee benefits programs, both in day-to-day operations and in corporate transactions, advising on the compensation and benefits dimensions of corporate transactions, financings, as well as on compliance with ERISA, including fiduciary duties and prohibited transactions. New York-based practice heads, Michael Katz and Jordan Messinger, counsel on executive compensation and employee benefits issues arising from strategic mergers, leveraged buyouts, spin-offs, restructurings, and other acquisitions and divestitures. Rose Ohanesian, in New York, leads the negotiation, structuring, and implementation of employment and severance agreements, along with equity and cash-based incentive programs, while in Washington DC, Alexander Ryan serves as key adviser on ERISA Title I matters.

Baker Botts L.L.P. has extensive experience advising on executive compensation and employee benefits issues arising from corporate transactions and ERISA-governed plans, with a focus on the energy and private equity sectors. The practice is led from Dallas by Jason Loden and Stephen Marcus, with Loden managing the implementation of employee benefit plans, including qualified retirement, nonqualified deferred compensation, equity incentives, and welfare plans. In Houston, Gail Stewart advises on the design and management of executive compensation arrangements and negotiates employment and severance agreements for senior executives at public and private companies, while the Dallas-based David Schiller handles employee benefit aspects of mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, credit agreements, and private placements.

Navigating the complexities of managing workforce relationships and employee benefit plans, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP represents public and private companies, hedge funds, boards of directors, and individual executives on a wide range of issues affecting compensation and benefits matters, with focus on managing financial services' regulatory and transactional ERISA matters. James Frazier and Andrew O’Brien jointly lead the practice from the firm's New York office. Frazier counsels clients on the application of ERISA's fiduciary standards and prohibited transaction provisions aspects of transactional and regulatory matters, while O'Brien manages executive compensation and employee benefits in connection to strategic mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and other business transactions.

From IPOs and international expansions to take-private transactions and long-term private ownership strategies, DLA Piper LLP (US) navigates complex executive compensation and equity incentive issues across a wide range of transactions to helping clients achieve their strategic objectives. Practice head Rita Patel, based in Washington DC, continues to focus on complex corporate transactions, advising clients on regulatory frameworks such as ERISA, Section 409A, and 280G. Washington DC-based Keith Ranta manages executive compensation aspects of IPOs, such as employment and severance agreements, while San Diego-based Michelle Lara counsels on stock options and other equity-based incentive plans.

In June 2025, Kramer Levin merged with Herbert Smith Freehills to form Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, whose executive compensation and employee benefits practice advises on a broad spectrum of compensation and benefits matters, including related plan design, management, and compliance, with a particular focus on domestic and cross-border corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings. The practice is co-led by Marissa Holob and Robert Holtzman, both based in the firm’s New York office. Holob manages employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings, while Holzman is noted as a key contact for employers needing counsel on employment law and executive compensation matters. Sumaya Ullah Restagno in New York is also a key member of the team.

The New York-based executive compensation, employee benefits, and ERISA practice at Linklaters LLP manages executive compensation arrangements, ERISA fiduciary matters, and complex domestic and cross-border public and private acquisitions, joint ventures, spin-offs, and restructurings. Andrew Gaines leads the practice, bringing more than three decades of experience advising employers on all aspects of executive compensation and employee benefits plans, including their treatment in corporate transactions and bankruptcy proceedings. He is supported by Janet Lee, who advises private equity and hedge fund sponsors on structuring investment products and services for ERISA plan investors, and by Maddy Hayes, who concentrates on complex executive compensation and employee benefits issues arising in public and private mergers and acquisitions, as well as fund and capital markets transactions.

McGuireWoods LLP advises private and public companies across the manufacturing, automotive, chemicals, food production, transportation, and technology sectors on complex compensation and benefits issues arising in mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and other governance-driven transactions. The practice is jointly led by Gerald Thomas, based in Atlanta, and Taylor French, based in Charlotte, with French bringing experience in drafting and negotiating employee benefits aspects of corporate finance transactions. Richmond-based Robert Wynne is key contact for equity- and non-equity-based incentive arrangements, non-qualified deferred compensation, and tax-qualified retirement matters.

Representing employers, executives, and benefits industry service providers, WilmerHale manages a broad range of employee benefits, executive compensation, and ERISA matters, defending employers in ERISA class actions, advising on SEC disclosure considerations, and structuring innovative retirement plan advisory products for financial institutions and securities industry clients. Boston-based Kimberly Wethly and Washington DC-based Ciara Baker co-head the practice. Wethly is well-versed in all aspects of executive compensation, including applicable tax, corporate securities, and accounting issues, and Baker focuses on transaction-specific executive and equity compensation mandates. In New York, Amanda Albert manages ERISA, tax, and governance issues arising in the implementation and operation of employee benefit and executive compensation plans.

Providing comprehensive counsel on employee benefits and executive compensation matters across industries and jurisdictions, the New York-based practice at Winston Taylor offers end-to-end capabilities spanning public company reporting and executive compensation aspects of M&A and lending transactional support, qualified retirement plans, and ERISA Title I investment advice. The practice head Scott Landau focuses on representing private equity clients and public companies in domestic and cross-border acquisitions, divestitures, and restructurings. Maria Kenny manages internal policy reviews, structuring equity and non-equity incentives, and ERISA compliance, while Jennifer Stadler assists public company clients with executive compensation disclosure requirements.

ArentFox Schiff counsels on the full spectrum of employee benefit plans and programs for a broad range of employers, benefit plans, plan fiduciaries, regularly assisting employers and third-party administrators in resolving interpretive and administrative issues relating to their benefit plans. Chicago-based Brian Friederich co-heads the firm's employee benefits and executive compensation work, overseeing the implementation of retirement plans, equity incentive programs, and executive employment agreements. In New York, co-head Mamta Shah drives the benefits and compensation strategy for corporate acquisitions, leading due diligence and negotiations on mergers and divestitures across industries including manufacturing, technology, agriculture, and financial services.

Whether advising on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, or restructurings, Bracewell LLP integrates benefits and ERISA planning into overall deal strategy and execution. Under the leadership of Houston-based Matthew Grunert, the practice spans the full range of arrangements, from qualified plans such as 401(k)s, ESOPs, pension and cash balance plans to nonqualified compensation structures, golden parachute arrangements, and executive retention programs. Grunert is well-versed in executive compensation and employee benefits aspects in corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisition, divestitures, spin-offs, and joint ventures.

Milbank‘s New York-based executive compensation and employee benefits practice helps clients through complex corporate transactions and restructurings, from public company M&A and spin-offs to IPOs and private equity deals, while navigating the connected tax, regulatory, and governance frameworks. Manan Shah and Joel Krasnow co-head the practice, with Shah managing a wide spectrum of executive compensation and employee benefits, with particular strength in transactional contexts. Kelly Bartley is a key name to note for design and implementation of compensation and benefit programs, such as employment agreements, change-in-control arrangements, and cash- and equity-based incentive plans.

Under the leadership of Benjamin Ferrucci, based in Boston, and Michael Arnold, based in New York, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. represents public and private companies, business executives, and senior investment professionals in employee benefits and compensation aspects of private equity financing, venture capital investments, mergers and acquisitions, as well as other corporate transactions. Clients benefit from Ferruci's comprehensive ERISA and tax law expertise, while Anne Bruno is noted as a key contact for the design, implementation, and management of equity plans, deferred compensation, as well as employment and change-in-control agreements.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP's practice structures, negotiates, and implements compensation and benefits aspects of mergers, spin-offs, carve-outs, IPOs, and across-border acquisitions, while managing ERISA, tax, securities, and fiduciary matters. Austin and New York-based Jessica Lutrin and New York-based Nora Burke jointly lead the practice, with Lutrin assisting both public and private, domestic and international, clients across sectors on compensation and benefits issues arising in corporate transactions. In Los Angeles, Mark Jones is a key contact for compensation and equity matters for public companies.

Sidley Austin LLP advises on complex executive and incentive compensation, retirement, welfare, and other benefits matters, with a focus on recruiting, retaining, and maximizing the productivity of clients’ key talent. The practice addresses both day-to-day employee benefits and executive compensation issues and those arising in mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions, joint ventures, IPOs, and restructurings. Corey Perry, based in Chicago, and Amy M. Rubin, based in New York, co-head the practice, with Perry focusing on executive compensation disclosure rules under the federal securities laws, and Rubin counseling on employee benefits and executive compensation in the context of private equity transactions, strategic mergers, and ongoing company operations.