Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton advises a diverse global client base on executive compensation and employee benefits matters, including complex cross-border mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings. The firm is highly active in high-profile transactions, recently advising GSK on its $1.4bn acquisition of Aiolos Bio and General Mills on its $2.1bn of its US and Canadian yogurt businesses. The team frequently collaborates with corporate, tax, and regulatory specialists to address issues such as incentive structuring, retention planning, and ERISA compliance. With a proven track record of guiding clients through sensitive compensation negotiations, the firm continues to support major players across industries, including financial services, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. Practice leaders Michael Albano and Julia Petty bring deep expertise in complex deal structuring and regulatory compliance, with Albano particularly recognized for his work in private equity compensation.Petty, based in New York, regularly advises on high-stakes corporate transactions and shareholder activism matters.
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Key clients
- American Express
- Amundi S.A.
- Ecolab
- General Mills
- GSK
- Keurig Dr Pepper
- OpenText
- Roquette
- RTX Corporation
- Sofidel
Work highlights
- Representing Synopsys in numerous transactions, including in its pending acquisition of Ansys in a transaction that values Ansys at an enterprise value of approximately $35 billion.
- Representing T-Mobile in its pending $4.4 billion acquisition of UScellular’s wireless operations and select spectrum assets; and its $1.35 billion acquisition of Ka’ena Corporation and its subsidiaries and brands: Mint Mobile, Ultra Mobile, and Plum.
- Representing Warburg Pincus in several important software transactions within a few months of each other requiring significant executive compensation and employee benefits expertise including in its pending acquisition of Redwood Software; in its acquisition of Service Express Inc.; and in its $350 million investment in CData Software.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Michael Albano
Other key lawyers
Julia Petty; Elizabeth Dyer; Alan Levine