Kate Vera

Practice Areas

Kate Vera focuses her practice on executive compensation matters related to mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, restructuring plans, initial public offerings, carve-outs and other business transactions. She leads the employee benefits and executive compensation practice in our New York office.

Kate regularly counsels private equity firms and their portfolio companies, as well as public companies, individual executives and management teams, on all aspects of executive compensation across industries, including executive employment agreements, severance arrangements, incentive equity plans and other compensation programs. Clients rely on her nuanced counsel to navigate complex issues such as compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (relating to deferred compensation) and Internal Revenue Code Sections 280G and 4999 (relating to the deductibility limits on executive compensation and the excise tax imposed on excess parachute payments).

Kate has extensive experience advising on executive compensation issues in the bankruptcy, restructuring and insolvency contexts, helping clients navigate the challenges associated with implementing effective arrangements and retaining key talent in a distressed environment. She also advises clients regarding compliance with proxy disclosure and corporate governance regulations as they relate to executive compensation.

Kate is a member of Chief, a private membership network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders. She also speaks frequently to industry organizations on topics such as preparing for initial public offerings and executive compensation.

Read full bio: https://www.mwe.com/people/kate-vera/