Noted for its ‘truly global coordination and multidisciplinary approach’, Freshfields oversees the employee benefits and executive compensation components of major corporate transactions, and manages structuring equity arrangements, negotiating employment and severance agreements, addressing golden parachute tax issues under Section 280G, and managing deferred compensation matters under Section 409A. Nicole Foster and Lori Goodman, based in New York, and Sarah Ghulamhussain and Heather Brookfield, based in Silicon Valley, jointly lead the practice, focusing on the executive compensation and benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, initial public offerings, liquidity programs, and other complex business transactions. Their work is strengthened by New York-based Jordan Salzman, who brings extensive experience in governance matters, securities law, and compensation disclosure, advising employers and executives on the negotiation and implementation of employment, severance, retention, and change-in-control arrangements.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Freshfields’ executive compensation and benefits practice is distinguished by its deep integration with complex transactions, governance matters, and cross-border work. The team is particularly strong where compensation issues intersect with M&A, IPOs, restructurings, and shareholder scrutiny, and clients benefit from its ability to navigate technically complex and high-stakes matters with a strong commercial lens.'
- 'Freshfields stands out for its truly global coordination and multidisciplinary approach. The team works seamlessly across jurisdictions and collaborates closely with corporate, litigation, and regulatory colleagues, allowing clients to receive consistent, integrated advice rather than siloed compensation guidance.'
- 'Heather Brookfield is an exceptional practitioner. She has a calm, authoritative style that inspires confidence, and she is especially effective in navigating sensitive compensation and governance issues where commercial, legal, and reputational considerations intersect. Her judgment and approach make her a trusted advisor not only to clients, but also to other counsel working alongside her.'
‘The team is incredibly responsive and offers practical, business-oriented solutions.;
‘Sarah Ghulamhussain is extremely responsive and helpful. She is very practical and business-oriented.'
'The team in New York office was very helpful on some very technical tax issues and provided sound actionable advice on executive issues associated with our takeover transaction.’
Key clients
- Sanofi
- Merck
- Lowes
- Sonoco Products Company
- Cencora
- Suzano
- Zuora
- Allwyn International AG
- Standard Biotools
- Special Committee of the Board of Directors of PropertyGuru
- Crowdstrike
Work highlights
Advising on executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of Google's pending $32 billion acquisition of Wiz.
Advising on executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of Merck's $10 billion acquisition of Verona Pharma plc.
Advising on executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of CrowdStrike's acquisition of Adaptive Shield.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Jordan Salzman
Practice head
Nicole Foster; Lori Goodman; Sarah Ghulamhussain; Heather Brookfield
Other key lawyers
Jordan Salzman