Mayer Brown, a leading global law firm, announced that James C. Williams has joined the firm’s Chicago office as a partner in the Employment & Benefits Group.
“Jim brings to Mayer Brown a proven 30-year track record of achievement in executive compensation and benefits matters, including those related to transactions,” said Maureen Gorman, a co-leader of Mayer Brown’s global Employment & Benefits Group. “His experience and capabilities will further enhance our ability to assist our global corporate clients with complex benefits-related issues.”
Mr. Williams regularly counsels clients on all aspects of executive compensation, including nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, equity compensation plans, employment agreements and separation agreements, proxy disclosure and Securities and Exchange Commission filings. His practice also includes advice on the design, formation and operation of qualified retirement plans. He has broad experience with Title I ERISA matters and in advising deal teams on the employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of M&A transactions, including due diligence, transaction terms, golden parachute and multiemployer plan withdrawal issues and post-closing matters.
In addition, Mr. Williams assists US multinational corporations with regard to global equity arrangements and multinational corporations based abroad on extending their parent company equity plans to executives of their US subsidiaries.
“The breadth and depth of Mayer Brown’s capabilities and resources and the tremendous abilities and experience of its lawyers, both in Chicago and globally, combine to make this a tremendously exciting opportunity for me,” Mr. Williams said.
Before joining Mayer Brown, Mr. Williams was a partner at Proskauer Rose and earlier was a partner at McGuire Woods and a principal at Deloitte & Touche. He holds a JD degree from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Law and Taxation from the College of William and Mary and a BS degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.
