July 15, 2014
Top Compensation Traps in M&A
Our popular “Meet the Speaker” series, featuring interviews with speakers at the 22nd Annual NASPP Conference, is a great way to get to know our many distinguished speakers and find out a little more about their sessions in advance of the Conference.
For today’s “Meet the Speaker” interview, we feature an interview with Doreen Lilienfeld of Shearman & Sterling, who will lead the session “Top Compensation Traps in Mergers and Acquisitions.” Here is what Doreen had to say:
NASPP: Why is the treatment of compensation in mergers and acquisitions a particularly timely topic right now?
Doreen: M&A activity is once again at a high. Given the complexities of the ever-changing legal landscape, keeping up to date with the changing rules and best practices is essential.
NASPP: What common mistake do companies make with their stock awards?
Doreen: One common mistake is not planning in advance for all potential outcomes when making equity grants. A company has the most flexibility at the time of grant, as opposed to trying to make amendments later.
NASPP: What is the silver lining to the treatment of awards in a CIC?
Doreen: On the positive side, with proper advance planning and good business direction, a company can anticipate many common situations that arise in M&A transactions and plan accordingly.
NASPP: Tell us three things people don’t know about you.
Doreen: Three things people don’t know about me:
- I have worked in six offices of Shearman & Sterling (New York, San Francisco, London, Frankfurt, Paris and Palo Alto).
- Although I am a native New Yorker, I have taken (and passed) the California bar.
- I take long subway rides to the outer boroughs of New York with great frequency with my six-year old.
Don’t miss Doreen’s session “Top Compensation Traps in Mergers and Acquisitions” at the NASPP Conference!
About the NASPP Conference
The 22nd Annual NASPP Conference will be held from September 29-October 2 in Las Vegas. This year’s program features 60+ sessions on today’s most timely topics in stock compensation; check out the full agenda and register today!