Department profile
Baker McKenzie

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide


Baker McKenzie

About

Provided by Baker McKenzie

 The Baker McKenzie Compensation team is one of a few firms to provide "one-stop" US domestic and international executive compensation, employee benefits and equity compensation advice, ensuring clients’ plans are designed to be offered on a global basis, with appropriate modifications due to local law requirements.

Baker McKenzie's Compensation team has a large client base (over 1,000 public/private companies), and routinely advises its clients on the employee benefits, executive compensation and equity compensation aspects of major cross-border business change and re-organization/restructuring projects, such as mergers & acquisitions, spin-offs, reductions in force and post-acquisition integration.

In addition, we provide advice to multinational companies on all aspects of pension law, including benefits and pension plan risk-mitigation strategies and de-risking alternatives. Matters range from workforce and transaction planning, to regulatory compliance and addressing significant financial and regulatory risk associated with particular types of pension arrangements (such as defined-benefit arrangements), including techniques to mitigate fiduciary risk and to avoid prohibited transactions with plan assets.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation - USA - Nationwide

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For
Baker McKenzie provides expert advice on a wide range of employee benefits and executive compensation matters, with notable expertise in M&A. The firm is especially highlighted for expertly managing cross-border transactions. It frequently advises on equity compensation plans and is also a go-to firm for advising on the design and maintenance of retirement and executive compensation plans.
Notable practitioners

Chair of the firm's North American compensation practice Barbara Klementz is a key contact.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Due to their extensive global network, Baker McKenzie can coordinate advice across multiple jurisdictions worldwide.

    Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA
  • Baker McKenzie are knowledgeable, diligent and professional. They have a good grasp on the business trends of big corporations.

    Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA
  • The firm has an ability to distill complex, often unfamiliar concepts into clear, digestible insights.

    Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA

Members

Provided by Baker McKenzie

  • Barbara Klementz

    Head of Department

  • Denise Glagau

  • Sinead Kelly

  • Brian Wydajewski

  • Aimee Soodan

  • Narendra Acharya

  • Jennifer Kirk

  • Thomas Asmar

  • Victor Flores

  • Kela Shang

  • Christopher Guldberg

  • Lindsay Minnis

  • Steve Stratton

  • Jill Sparkman

  • Janel Brynda

Baker McKenzie has rankings in the following guides

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