North America - United States • Labor and employment
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
McDermott Will & Emery LLP boasts significant expertise in ESOPs, health and welfare benefits, and retirement plans, with a strong track record in the healthcare sector, as exemplified by its role advising Novant Health on the compensation and benefits elements of its new for-profit subsidiary. The practice, under Andrew Liazos’s leadership from Boston, assists private entities and compensation committees with ERISA fiduciary duties and compensation plan governance. In Dallas, the ‘brilliant’ Allison Wilkerson specializes in qualified retirement plans, including ESOPs, pension plans, and 401(k) schemes. In September 2023 the New York office was strengthened with the addition of Kate Vera from Kirkland & Ellis LLP, who advises private equity clients and their portfolio companies on executive employment contracts, incentive equity arrangements, and severance deals. Based in Chicago, Todd Solomon manages employee benefits matters in corporate deals, demonstrating extensive ERISA Title I expertise. Lisa Loesel, also in Chicago, provides advice to both private and public companies on the design and transition of employee benefits following M&A and divestitures. The team saw the departure of Judith Wethall and Erin Turley in January 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'We've been impressed with McDermott's can-do attitude, broad expertise, and cost efficiency that does not come at the expense of quality. It is clear that the firm is very devoted to growing its client relationships.'
- 'Kate Vera is hands down the most commercial, technical, and empathetic executive compensation and benefits lawyer I have ever worked with. Her view of the market and ability to suggest solutions is truly exceptional.'
- 'The firm promptly grasped the scope of the international aspect of our ESOP and has been able to support us as our ERISA counsel effectively. MWE's greatest assets are its people.'
- 'Allison Wilkerson is a brilliant benefits and ESOP attorney. Her guidance is consistently clear to multiple stakeholders from our organization, and she is able to keep up with an extremely rapid pace our organization operates at. It is an absolute pleasure to have Allison as our corporate ERISA counsel.'
Key clients
- Bain Capital
- BDO
- Darden Restaurants
- Evonik Industries
- H.I.G. Capital
- Mars
- Novant Health
- PGA Tour
- United States Sugar Corporation
- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Work highlights
- Advised the PGA Tour on the complex benefits and compensation aspects of its merger with Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf.
- Managed a major transaction for BDO to transition from a partnership to a C-Corporation, impacting the accrual and access of retirement and health and welfare benefits for converted partners.
- Assisted Prime Therapeutics with its acquisition of Magellan Rx Management from Centene Corporation for $1.35 billion.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Andrew Liazos