Back to rankings
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

More information

United States • Labor and employment

5

Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton routinely advises public companies, private equity sponsors and financial institutions on complex incentive design, governance and ERISA matters. The group is particularly noted for its strength at the intersection of executive compensation, corporate governance and strategic transactions. The New York-based outfit is headed by Michael Albano, who is highly regarded for his work designing and structuring incentive arrangements. Elizabeth Dyer is an asset to the group, particularly for her knowledge of complex ERISA-related matters. Julia Petty is also a key figure in the practice and regularly provides executive compensation and governance advice to large public companies.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Very experienced in handling Human Resources aspects of M&A deals. They have a deep knowledge base related to employee benefits, compensation, retention structures and equity plans. Every deal is unique and Cleary Gottlieb has been able to develop elegant solutions on more than one of my M&A deals. ’

  • ‘Julia Petty is an amazing asset to Cleary Gottlieb. She is responsive and knowledgeable and give clear guidance. She is able to explain complex HR solutions to both the buyer and the seller to ultimately develop solutions with which both sides are highly satisfied. ’

  • ‘Highly responsive. Gave practical advice with current trends.’

  • ‘The partner with whom we work is very responsive. Made helpful suggestions for many of our form documents to bring them current. ’

  • ‘High quality, practical, user-friendly ’

  • ‘Elizabeth Dyer is a particular standout ’

Key clients

  • Alphabet/Google
  • Argos Materials
  • Celestica
  • Clorox
  • Consolidated Edison, Inc.
  • Dentsply Sirona
  • Eastman Chemical
  • Fox Corporation
  • Levi Strauss & Co.
  • NetApp
  • Solventum
  • Somnigroup International

Work highlights

Acting as counsel for Alphabet/Google and their semi-autonomous subsidiaries in connection with a variety of executive compensation, employee benefits and corporate governance matters.
Advising Fox Corporation on global compensation design, succession planning, as well as disclosure and governance matters.
Acting as counsel to Starbucks in all aspects of its executive compensation and employee benefit plans and programs, including in connection with employment agreements, equity and non-equity incentive plans, executive severance plans and related disclosure obligations.
Practice head

Michael Albano

Other key lawyers

Elizabeth Dyer; Julia Petty