Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation | USA

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP boasts a widely celebrated employee benefits and executive compensation group that assists private and public companies in connection with executive compensation and benefits, including in relation to high-value M&A. The group advises private equity firms and financial institutions with ERISA issues as well as providing ERISA litigation counsel for retirement plans. Clients also benefit from its offices in various key locations worldwide.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP offers robust assistance on employee benefits and executive compensation matters arising at the junction of ERISA, tax, securities and corporate governance law. The group advises on a number of issues including ERISA fiduciary responsibilities, compensation and benefit plans design and legal compliance. It regularly advises boards of directors, senior management and companies.

Paul, Weis, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is a well-respected group, concentrating its practice on providing advice on employee benefits and management compensation matters arising within the context of M&A, as well as corporate restructuring. The team is sought after for its experience handling a wide array of matters including ERISA issues, deferred and equity-based compensations, as well as fiduciary issues arising in connection with such compensations. It works closely alongside the firm's litigation team to provide first-rate representation in ERISA disputes, including claims of breach of fiduciary duty.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is a highly respected private equity and M&A firm that offers a multi-disciplinary approach to a wide range of employee benefits and executive compensation arrangements. It primarily acts on behalf of private equity industry clients, compensation committees and public boards of directors. The team provides advice in regard to spin-offs and IPOs as well as hirings and separations in relation to senior management. Its impressive client base is composed of both national and multinational corporations.

Skadden's pre-eminent group within the employee benefits and executive compensation Bar in New York provides advice on a broad range of issues including consultation of senior executives in connection with their employment agreements and ERISA-related fiduciary responsibilities, as well as matters arising under Sections 409A, 280G and 162(m). The firm maintains its reputation as a go-to M&A shop and is routinely sought out by a variety of clients such as private and public companies, financial services institutions, boards of directors and executives. The group also provides advice to clients in regard to international employment matters in international transactions and global equity settings.

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is highly regarded for representing management of private and public corporations in employee benefits and executive compensation issues arising within a transactional and nontransactional framework. The group is particularly well known for its experience in significant M&A. Among the matters handled are executive compensation programs, board structuring and executive succession.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP provides assistance to national and global companies in designing and applying various executive compensation arrangements in connection with M&A transactions. It advises on the compliance of various benefits and compensation arrangements with ERISA, securities and tax law and accounting issues. The team also advises CEOs and other senior executives in connection with their employment and severance agreements.

Dechert LLP has a regarded team with a global reach, equipped to handle a broad range of benefits and compensation matters, from equity compensation to ERISA plans. The team is noted for its work supporting clients in major transactions. It is particularly adept at representing global financial institutions.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is regularly consulted by public and private companies on the basis of its expertise in handling a range of employee benefits and executive compensation matters arising within the context of M&A. The firm provides counsel to clients on matters such as employment agreements, deferred compensation, equity-based compensation plans and retirement plans. It is also well known for assisting private equity and hedge fund clients with their fiduciary responsibilities and compliance with ERISA.

Latham & Watkins LLP provides assistance on a number of employee benefits and executive compensation issues, with particular prowess in governance and regulatory matters, cash and stock-based incentives, employee and management compensation and pensions. It regularly advises boards of directors, companies and private equity firms regarding compensation and benefits matters arising from high-value M&A and IPOs.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP advises on a wide array of employee benefits and executive compensation matters, including 401(k) plans, employee stock ownership plans, health and welfare plans, ERISA and the benefits and compensation issues arising out of corporate transactions. It has sector-specific experience pertaining to the pharmaceutical, technology, hospitality and energy industries, among others, with clients including major multinationals, mid-sized companies, start-ups and tax-exempt organizations. It has recently acted for a number of executive teams.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP handles the full spectrum of employee benefits and managerial compensation matters for a variety of clients, including financial institutions, boards of directors and private equity sponsors. The team advises on various issues such as non-qualified pension plans and incentive compensation arrangements, especially when arising within a transactional framework, such as strategic acquisitions and IPOs. It is also adept at providing advice and support to clients on ERISA.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP boasts a broad-ranging benefits and compensation practice, advising boards of directors and compensation committees on day-to-day matters as well as major corporate transactions. Also advises asset managers, investment banks and plan sponsors in connection with ERISA obligations.

A&O Shearman is a formidable employee benefits and executive compensation group with experience representing clients in the financial services, fashion and retail, media and entertainment and technology sectors, among others. The team advises corporations as well as individual executives on an array of matters including M&A benefits and compensation, deferred compensation, retirement plan formation and implementation, and ERISA. It also assists compensation committees and boards of directors in connection with governance processes surrounding compensation matters. The team regularly advises on cross-border issues.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a private equity powerhouse with notable expertise advising management teams, senior executives and corporations on a range of compensation matters. It offers particular strength in handling issues arising from major corporate transactions, including M&A, buyouts and restructurings.

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP boasts a diverse practice that provides advice to corporate clients, non-profits, educational institutions and fiduciaries. The team handles a broad range of compensation and benefits matters including ERISA class actions, withdrawal liability arbitrations and stock options.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP is respected for handling all employee benefits and executive compensation matters including health and welfare arrangements, defined contribution and benefit plans, fiduciary responsibility issues, executive remuneration and multi-employer plans. The team also has significant experience in acting on behalf of notable employers and advising on the benefits facets of corporate deals. It is particularly noted for its representation of health systems, while also recognized for its work with financial institutions.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is highlighted for its handling of a wide spectrum of employee benefits and executive compensation matters, including those in connection with M&A, equity-based compensation plans, welfare and retirement plans. The firm also distinguishes itself with special expertise in matters concerning pension fund investments. It continues to act on behalf of an enviable roster of clients featuring financial institutions, public and private companies, compensation committees, and boards of directors. It also offers significant experience acting for clients to seek relief and guidance from the DOL, achieving a number of notable ERISA exemptions and interpretations.

Clifford Chance US LLP regularly advises domestic and multinational companies on complex employment matters in the context of M&A transactions.

Freshfields is sought after by global multinationals, including household names in tech, manufacturing and media, for the knottiest employee benefits and executive compensation matters. Much of their work is cross-border, often spanning multiple jurisdictions.