Practice area
Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
Employee benefit plans and executive pay — ERISA compliance, equity compensation, Section 409A, change-of-control issues, and the benefits questions that surface in M&A.
Benefit and compensation plans carry their own body of rules. Avid Legal advises businesses on both — ERISA compliance, equity compensation, non-qualified deferred compensation, Section 409A, change-of-control issues, golden parachutes, and the compensation questions that arise in mergers and acquisitions.
The firm’s work includes the structure, implementation, and administration of retirement and welfare plans, compliance audits, submissions under IRS and DOL programs, and guidance on Affordable Care Act, COBRA, and HIPAA compliance.
Avid Legal also works on compensation arrangements for public and private companies and individual executives, including severance and early retirement programs, equity and synthetic equity compensation, and consolidation of benefit plans following a transaction.
Scope of work
What we handle
Practical legal support organized around the documents, decisions, and deadlines in this practice area.
Executive compensation packages aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements
Non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements and Section 409A compliance
Equity and synthetic equity compensation, including stock options, restricted stock, and other equity awards
Change-of-control issues and golden parachutes
Retirement and welfare plan structure, implementation, and administration
ERISA compliance, compliance audits, and IRS or DOL program submissions
Affordable Care Act, COBRA, and HIPAA compliance guidance
Employee benefits and executive compensation issues in M&A, including severance, early retirement programs, and benefit-plan consolidation
Who we help
Clients and matters
- Public and private companies designing or revising executive compensation arrangements
- Individual executives reviewing compensation arrangements
- Employers establishing or administering retirement and welfare benefit plans
- Businesses implementing equity-based or synthetic equity compensation
- Parties to mergers and acquisitions that involve benefits and compensation issues
- Clients across technology, hospitality, real estate, healthcare, retail, and professional services
- Companies seeking outside general counsel for ongoing benefits and compensation matters
Frequently asked questions
Does Avid Legal advise on Section 409A and deferred compensation?
Yes. Avid Legal advises on non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements, deferred compensation plans, and compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
Can Avid Legal advise on ERISA compliance for employee benefit plans?
Yes. The firm provides guidance on the structure, implementation, and administration of employee benefit plans, including retirement and welfare plans, ERISA compliance, audits, and IRS or DOL submissions.
Does Avid Legal handle equity compensation like stock options and restricted stock?
Yes. Avid Legal provides legal support for equity and synthetic equity compensation arrangements, including stock options, restricted stock, and other equity awards.
Can Avid Legal address employee benefits issues in a merger or acquisition?
Yes. The firm addresses employee benefits and executive compensation issues in M&A transactions, including severance programs, early retirement programs, and consolidation of benefit plans following a transaction.
How should I prepare to contact Avid Legal about benefits or compensation?
Share the plan or arrangement at issue, the company or executive role involved, any transaction timeline, and the documents currently in place.
Let’s talk about what you’re building.
Schedule a call to discuss your company, transaction, dispute, or ongoing counsel needs.