Department profile
Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation

USA Guide 2026 : North Carolina


Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

Employers face complex and competitive pressures that can impact their ability to attract and retain top talent. Our dedicated, well-resourced team of employee benefits and executive compensation attorneys provides practical guidance for these challenges throughout the lifecycles of our clients’ businesses.

As employers continue to grapple with persistent change, we create solutions for employee benefits and executive compensation issues that help mitigate risk and forward our clients’ goals. Clients work with us on every aspect of their compensation, benefits, and compliance needs — from designing, drafting, and implementing plans and agreements to counseling on compliance, fiduciary duties, and plan administration.

We regularly assist clients on the complexities arising from their significant transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Our team applies best practices from serving as outside benefits and compensation compliance counsel to also assist with post-transaction integrations.

Through client work in all major sectors, including energy, insurance, health care, financial services, private equity, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and technology, we offer industry-specific insights and perspectives. Our team regularly serves tax-exempt and governmental entities as well, and we work extensively with boards of directors, compensation and investment committees, plan fiduciaries, plan administrators, and other benefits consultants.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation - North Carolina

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP fields a highly respected team with expertise across the full span of employee benefits and executive compensation law. It is noted for its advice on compliance with the Affordable Care Act, the treatment of EBEC plans in corporate transactions, class actions and relations with the IRS and other administrative bodies.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Troutman Pepper Locke acted as outside counsel on Bank of America’s US employee benefits and equity compensation plans.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Troutman Pepper Locke's attorneys are experts at what they do. The guidance that they provide is spot on.

    Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA
  • The team at Troutman Pepper Locke is skilled, knowledgeable and has its clients' best interests at heart.

    Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA
  • The team's strengths are subject-matter expertise, tact and diplomacy, and its understanding of its role and how it operates in the larger picture.

    Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Emily D. Zimmer
    Band 1Emily D. Zimmer

    Emily D. Zimmer

    Emily Zimmer is well regarded for her magisterial expertise with regard to ERISA and IRS compliance.
    • Emily is practical, thoughtful and great at seeing the big picture.

      Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA
    • Emily Zimmer is an expert in her field.

      Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA
  • Band 1James E Earle
    Band 1James E Earle

    James E Earle

    James Earle comes recommended for his experience advising employers on a variety of compensation and benefits concerns, including the design of incentive and stock plans.
    • James' level of service to his clients is astounding. He is always available to assist and is a subject matter expert when it comes to executive compensation.

      Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA
    • James has excellent technical knowledge, but explains technical topics in a way that are easy to understand and make decisions on.

      Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA
  • Band 1Lynne Wakefield
    Band 1Lynne Wakefield

    Lynne Wakefield

    Lynne Wakefield assists clients with the design, administration and compliance of retirement, health and welfare, and other employee benefit plans.
    • Lynne Wakefield is an exceptional partner and an expert in her field.

      Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA
    • Lynne is a great employee benefits attorney who is thoughtful, knowledgeable and prompt.

      Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA
  • Band 2Lydia Parker
    Band 2Lydia Parker

    Lydia Parker

    Charlotte-based Lydia Parker assists clients with the full gamut of employee benefits matters, including plan design, implementation and compliance.
    • Lydia Parker provides an excellent level of client service. She is responsive to queries, has great technical knowledge and provides good detailed answers.

      Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA
    • Lydia Parker always has a suggestion or solution.

      Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP (4)

North Carolina

  • Profile image of Emily D. Zimmer

    Emily D. Zimmer

    Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation

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  • Profile image of James E Earle

    James E Earle

    Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation

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  • Profile image of Lynne Wakefield

    Lynne Wakefield

    Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation

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  • Profile image of Lydia Parker

    Lydia Parker

    Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation

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Members

Provided by Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP has rankings in the following guides

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