Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP’s executive compensation and employee benefits group is distinguished by its interdisciplinary approach, leveraging expertise from the firm’s M&A, capital markets, and tax practice areas to deliver ‘incredibly helpful and insightful’ advice. The team is a popular destination for asset management and private equity firms, counting the likes of Blackstone, TPG, and Clayton Dubilier & Rice as key clients. Practice chair Jonathan Lewis covers all facets of executive compensation and human capital management, particularly within public and private M&A in the private equity, healthcare, and insurance industries. Meir Katz serves a broad range of clients from private equity sponsors and their portfolio firms to corporate entities and individual executives. Franklin Mitchell advises private equity fund sponsors and employers on ERISA fiduciary issues, while Michael Snypes counsels companies, management teams, and investors on divestitures, management buyouts, securities offerings, and corporate restructurings. Based in Washington DC, Simone Hicks specializes in designing and implementing employee agreements, equity-based incentive programs, and other compensation plans. Lawrence Cagney retired from partnership at the end of 2023. Lawyers mentioned are based in New York unless otherwise stated.