Our attorneys counsel clients on the full range of executive compensation plans and equity compensation arrangements, including incentive compensation plans, stock options, restricted stock, phantom stock, stock appreciation rights and stock purchase plans. We also advise on the funding of executive compensation through the use of "rabbi" and "secular" trusts, SEC rules governing executive compensation disclosure, tax rules limiting deductibility of executive compensation, profit sharing and stock option plans, and severance and voluntary retirement plans.
With limits on qualified retirement plan limits on contributions and benefits, our team focuses on the design of non-qualified compensation plans to enhance our clients' compensation packages.
Our attorneys have successfully negotiated the terms of departure for senior executives from major institutions and the hiring of their replacements. Our aim is to help clients avoid acrimony, publicity and risk of a lawsuit, while protecting their goodwill, trade secrets and other confidential information. We routinely assist clients in preparing and negotiating employment agreements, severance agreements and change in control agreements.
We also work with the Individual Client Services Group to advise individuals and estates with substantial assets on the most tax-advantaged method of distributing those assets.