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Paul Hastings LLP

Paul Hastings LLP

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United States • Labor and employment

4

Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional

Advising public and private companies, boards of directors, private equity sponsors, and management teams, Paul Hastings LLP handles complex compensation, governance, and employee benefits matters. Practice head based in the firm’s New York office, Jason Ertel, is key name in relation to managing executive compensation and corporate governance aspects of acquisitions, employment negotiations, and incentive plan structuring, including deferred compensation under Sections 409A and 457A, the golden parachute rules under Section 280G, and SEC disclosure requirements. In Palo Alto, Dan Stellenberg provides strategic guidance on employment restructurings, public company disclosure requirements, and pay regulations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Incredibly responsive and creative. Very knowledgeable regarding cutting edge strategies and market trends.’

  • ‘Dan Stellenberg is excellent. Knows executive compensation practices in Silcon Valley inside and out.'

  • 'This practice stands out for its practical, judgment-driven approach rather than a cookie-cutter legal model. The team combines deep employment law expertise with a strong understanding of real-world business constraints, delivering clear, actionable guidance tailored to the client’s role and context. The practice’s strengths show up in how it operates day to day: efficient communication, continuity of counsel, and advice that reflects how modern enterprises and high-growth organizations actually function.'

  • 'Dan Stellenberg brings a clear understanding of how executives, consultants, and organizations actually operate, and he tailors his advice accordingly rather than defaulting to generic positions. I’ve valued his clarity, responsiveness, and ability to quickly identify what truly matters versus what doesn’t.' 

Key clients

  • Pactiv Evergreen
  • Caithness Energy
  • Genesis Energy
  • Heidrick & Struggles
  • Artemis Real Estate Partners
  • Smithfield Foods
  • Amentum
  • SiriusPoint
  • Carlyle
  • Cellebrite
  • Captiv8
  • Pennant Group

Work highlights

Advised on employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of Pactiv Evergreen Inc.'s $6.7 billion merger with Novolex.
Advised on employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of Caithness Energy's $3.8 billion sale of its Moxie Freedom Energy Center and, alongside BlackRock, its Guernsey Power Station in Ohio to Talen Energy Corporation.
Advised on employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of Franchie Group's $2.4 billion restructurings.
Practice head

Jason Ertel

Other key lawyers

Dan Stellenberg