Baker Botts L.L.P. has extensive experience advising on executive compensation and employee benefits issues arising from corporate transactions and ERISA-governed plans, with a focus on the energy and private equity sectors. The practice is led from Dallas by Jason Loden and Stephen Marcus, with Loden managing the implementation of employee benefit plans, including qualified retirement, nonqualified deferred compensation, equity incentives, and welfare plans. In Houston, Gail Stewart advises on the design and management of executive compensation arrangements and negotiates employment and severance agreements for senior executives at public and private companies, while the Dallas-based David Schiller handles employee benefit aspects of mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, credit agreements, and private placements.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Baker Botts' knowledge and expertise in executive compensation is unmatched. We know we can rely on them for even the most complex situations.’

  • ‘Gail Stewart stands out for her combination of sharp legal judgment and practical, business-first advice. She is exceptionally responsive, anticipates issues before they become problems, and communicates clearly, especially on complex or high-stakes matters. We’ve consistently valued her credibility, calm leadership under pressure, and her ability to align the legal strategy with our goals while keeping timelines and risk in check.' 

Key clients

  • BKV Corporation
  • Bristow Group Inc.
  • Cactus, Inc.
  • CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
  • ConocoPhillips
  • Coterra Energy
  • Eagle Materials Inc.
  • Enlink Midstream, LLC
  • Governance Committee of Veritex Holdings
  • Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.
  • Hines Interests Limited Partnership
  • IBEW-NECA Southwestern Health & Benefit Fund
  • Insperity
  • Liberty Broadband Corporation
  • Liberty Latin America
  • Liberty Media Corporation
  • Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings
  • Macquarie Capital Investment Holdings In
  • Martin Resource Management Corporation
  • Murphy Exploration & Production Company

Work highlights

Advised Schlumberger on employee benefits matters, including plan design, compliance, and litigation involving retirement, medical, and disability plans.
Advised Coterra Energy Inc. with Self-Funded Medical Plan, Welfare and Cafeteria Plans, Health Savings Account Plan, and 401(k) Plan mergers and compliance matters.
Advised Oceaneering International, Inc. on mergers and transaction support, advising on 401(k) plan compliance, SECURE Act amendments, and self-correction procedures.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

Jason Loden; Stephen Marcus

Other key lawyers

Gail Stewart; David Schiller