Allison Wilkerson > McDermott Will & Emery LLP > Dallas, United States > Lawyer Profile

McDermott Will & Emery LLP has a well-regarded employee benefits and executive compensation practice that specializes in both plan design work, as well as offering support for complex corporate M&A transactions. In Boston, practice head Andrew Liazos is a key contact for numerous Fortune 500 companies. In December 2022, the Boston office was strengthened with the arrival of Alden Bianchi, who is a standout talent in designing health and welfare plans. Working from the Chicago office, Todd Solomon often represents clients regarding ERISA fiduciary issues and employee benefits issues. Also supporting the Chicago office, Jeffrey Holdvogt assists clients with ERISA fiduciary and plan investment matters. In Dallas, Allison Wilkerson excels in designing qualified retirement plans, including pension plans and 401(k)s. In September 2023, Kate Vera, an experienced practitioner in executive compensation issues in the context of bankruptcy, restructuring, and insolvency, joined the New York office.

McDermott Will & Emery LLP boasts significant expertise in ESOPs, health and welfare benefits, and retirement plans, with a strong track record in the healthcare sector, as exemplified by its role advising Novant Health on the compensation and benefits elements of its new for-profit subsidiary. The practice, under Andrew Liazos’s leadership from Boston, assists private entities and compensation committees with ERISA fiduciary duties and compensation plan governance. In Dallas, the ‘brilliant’ Allison Wilkerson specializes in qualified retirement plans, including ESOPs, pension plans, and 401(k) schemes. In September 2023 the New York office was strengthened with the addition of Kate Vera from Kirkland & Ellis LLP, who advises private equity clients and their portfolio companies on executive employment contracts, incentive equity arrangements, and severance deals. Based in Chicago, Todd Solomon manages employee benefits matters in corporate deals, demonstrating extensive ERISA Title I expertise. Lisa Loesel, also in Chicago, provides advice to both private and public companies on the design and transition of employee benefits following M&A and divestitures. The team saw the departure of Judith Wethall and Erin Turley in January 2023.