LAWYER PROFILE
Leigh C. Riley

Leigh C. Riley

USA 2026

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Chambers ranking badge

Ranked in 1 practice area

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation

Wisconsin

7 years ranked

About

Provided by Foley & Lardner LLP

USA

Practice Areas

Leigh Riley focuses her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation. In the area of employee benefits, Leigh concentrates on qualified retirement plans, including 401(k) and defined benefit pension plans. In the area of executive compensation, she counsels both private and public companies on establishing and administering all types of executive compensation programs, including stock options, restricted stock, phantom stock arrangements, nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, and executive employment agreements. Leigh also routinely works on the benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions, both on the buy- and sell-side.

Leigh is a member of the firm’s Management Committee. She is also a partner in the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice and the Automotive Industry Team, and she serves as legal counsel to the firm with respect to its benefit plans. Leigh was a founding member of the firm’s Best Self Committee, which provides programs and information to help each individual working at Foley achieve their personal and professional success.

Leigh is the former vice chair of the firm’s Business Law Department and former chair of the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Practice.

Leigh joined Foley in 1997 after practicing with a Global AmLaw 10 firm.

Education

University of Pennsylvania Law School

JD

Texas Christian University

BA

Awards

Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation (2017-2025)

Chambers USA

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2007 – 2023)

The Best Lawyers in America©

“Milwaukee Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Lawyer of the Year” (2013, 2017, 2023)

Best Lawyers

“Women in the Law”

Wisconsin Law Journal

2012

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation - Wisconsin

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial
Leigh Riley of Foley & Lardner LLP is considered a leading expert in employee benefits and executive compensation matters, offering expertise in areas such as stock options, welfare plans and retirement plans for a broad spectrum of public and private companies.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Leigh is our go-to for complex matters.

    Employee Benefits & Executive CompensationChambers Guide to the USA

Ranked Individuals at Foley & Lardner LLP (132)

California

California: Southern

District of Columbia

Florida

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