Executive Compensation

Understanding the impact that compensatory packages have in attracting and retaining key management, Vinson & Elkins’ dedicated group of Executive Compensation & Benefits (ECB) lawyers advises companies on all aspects of executive compensation arrangements and employment agreements. We guide clients in the strategic drafting, structuring, negotiation, and complex compliance aspects of equity-based compensation arrangements; employment, severance, change in control, bonus, and retention agreements; and non-qualified retirement and deferred compensation plans.

V&E’s ECB Group is one of the largest in the nation, and unlike many of our competitors, our attorneys dedicate 100% of their time to advising clients on executive compensation and benefits matters. We counsel public companies, privately held entities, corporations, partnerships, private equity firms, start-ups, compensation committees, boards of directors, management teams, and executives on all aspects of executive compensation arrangements. This range of experience enables us to see issues from multiple perspectives and design creative compensatory solutions that mitigate tax ramifications while achieving the specific goals of our diverse clients. While we have considerable experience in providing tax and securities law compliance advice with respect to executive and incentive compensation plans, programs, and agreements, V&E lawyers are also well versed in representing clients before the IRS, SEC, and other governmental authorities with respect to executive compensation issues.

Navigating the Legislative Framework

Increased scrutiny of the legal complexities surrounding executive compensation has resulted in expanded regulations, new legislation, and heightened attention at the state and federal level. V&E’s ECB lawyers assist companies in reducing their risk by administering executive compensation programs that comply with ongoing public policy developments. We also team with colleagues in our Corporate practice to aid in proper disclosure of executive compensation and employee benefits matters for federal securities laws purposes.

Targeted Solutions

With the legal complexities surrounding executive compensation and employee benefits, V&E’s ECB lawyers have extensive experience handling all compensation and benefit aspects of acquisitions, sales, mergers, spin-offs, takeovers, leveraged buy-outs, initial public offerings, and financing transactions. In the context of compensation and benefits arrangements and agreements, we are skilled at drafting and negotiating transaction documents to reflect the division of responsibilities and perform due diligence on target companies and businesses to identify potential liabilities that need to be allocated among the parties.

When fitting, V&E’s multidisciplinary resources and experience enable us to coordinate comprehensive guidance in tax, corporate, and litigation matters to provide clients with the most pertinent advice.