Latham & Watkins LLP

Richard Nettles advises global clients on US executive compensation and employee benefits matters, particularly in the context of mergers and acquisitions.

Richard leverages his experience at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and key technical skills to guide public and private companies on:

• Tax regulatory compliance and compensation structure optimization in major corporate transactions
• Complex issues arising under Internal Revenue Code sections 83, 162(m), 280G, 409A, and 457A
• Employment tax issues, including worker classification, withholding obligations, severance and change-in-control arrangements, compensation clawback policies, and ERISA/qualified retirement plans
• Tax controversy matters
• Equity plan design and administration, including stock options, restricted stock, profits interests, restricted stock units (RSUs), deferred compensation, long-term incentive compensation, and employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs)

Before joining Latham, he served as Senior Counsel in the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, where he worked on taxpayer guidance projects and advised on executive compensation issues, including IRS AM 2022-007.