Vedder demonstrates particular strength in C-suite and senior executive compensation structuring, SEC disclosure compliance and shareholder engagement, including say-on-pay advisory mandates. Christopher Collins sits at the helm of the practice, which benefits from his significant experience advising on benefit issues in connection with M&A transactions and DOL and IRS correction programs. In the wider practice, Thomas Hancuch focuses his practice on employee benefit plan design and administration; Kelly Starr advises boards of directors and their committees on executive compensation matters; Amal Rafiq excels in matters involving the executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of M&A and ESOP transactions; and Olivia Ustupski regularly advises on fiduciary issues, plan operational errors and benefit claims and disputes. All lawyers mentioned are based in Chicago.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is responsive and knowledgeable. ’
‘Tom Hancuch is intelligent, calm under pressure, and always available.’
Key clients
- National Health Care Associates, Inc.
- Cultural Institutions Retirement System
- Public Theater
- Bard College
- Winsor School
- ArcelorMittal
- Perkins+Will
- Cleveland-Cliffs Steel LLC
- Follett Corporation
- Huron Consulting Group, Inc.
- Oil-Dri Corporation of America
- Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Work highlights
Advise Cleveland-Cliffs Steel LLC’s (f/k/a ArcelorMittal USA LLC) staff on an almost-daily basis on all aspects of medical and other welfare plans, retirement plans and defined benefit.
Providing ongoing employee benefit and executive compensation representation for National Health Care Associates.
Providing ongoing employee benefit and executive compensation representation for Follett Corporation.
Practice head
Christopher Collins
Other key lawyers
Thomas Hancuch; Kelly Starr; Amal Rafiq; Olivia Ustupski; Susan Niver
