Overview
Ben is the Chair of the Executive Compensation and Governance Practice Group and advises clients across a broad spectrum of industries on executive compensation and employment law issues that arise from public and private M&A and private equity transactions, restructurings, debt and equity financings, and IPOs. He has an active practice representing compensation committees, companies, and senior executives in the negotiation and structuring of executive employment and severance agreements. He frequently represents management teams in private equity deals and other M&A transactions.
Ben also provides ongoing counsel to public and private companies, compensation committees, and executives with respect to day-to-day executive compensation and employment law matters, including corporate governance and best practices, executive compensation plan design, employment, severance and change in control agreements, restrictive covenant enforcement, and equity incentive compensation arrangements, as well as advising on related regulatory, securities, tax, and public disclosures, including IRC Sections 409A, 280G, and 162(m), Item 402, and Dodd-Frank.
Ben has been an adjunct professor teaching executive compensation law at a Chicago area law school, and was formerly a partner in the Executive Compensation Practice Group at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
In 2019, Ben co-authored the sixth chapter of the 2019 Employment Law Update edited by Henry H. Perritt Jr., "Founders: Employees or Owners."
Honors & Recognition
Chambers USA, Recognized Leader in Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation (2023)
Selected for inclusion in Illinois Rising Stars (2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016) and New York Rising Stars (2011-2013)
Law Bulletin Publishing Company's Emerging Lawyer: Employee Benefits Law
Chicago-Kent Law Review
Bar and Gavel Society
Credentials
Education
New York University School of Law
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Miami University
Admissions – State
- Illinois
- New York
News & Insights
External News & Publications
"Executive Compensation, Lessons from 2020,” Chapter 2, in 2021 Employment Law Update (Perritt)
"Founders: Employees or Owners," in 2019 Employment Law Update (Perritt)
“Equity Compensation for the Modern Workforce,” Chapter 4 in 2018 Employment Law Update (Perritt)
‘‘Options’’ for Early Stage Companies: Designing the Right Stock Option Program," Bloomberg BNA, May 2015
"Founders Beware: How a Start-Up Exit May Not Be a ‘Golden’ Opportunity," Bloomberg BNA, October 2015
Multimedia
Panelists will provide an overview of common issues arising in Private Equity M&A transactions, with a focus on executive compensation and management team considerations.
Events
Speaking Engagements
"Executive Compensation," Money Matters Top Tips Podcast, February 2020
"Structuring Management Incentive Equity Arrangements in Private Equity Acquisitions," Strafford Webinars, 2018
"Founder Considerations for Start-ups," workshop, December 16, 2015
"Executive Employment Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements," Strafford Webinars, October 13, 2015
"Employee Severance Agreements and Section 409A Deferred Compensation: Withstanding Heightened IRS Scrutiny," Strafford webinar, July 23, 2015