Kirkland & Ellis is pleased to announce that Stephen Jacobson has joined the Firm as a partner in the Houston office. Mr. Jacobson’s practice focuses on executive compensation and employee benefit matters. He joins Kirkland from Vinson & Elkins LLP, where he was a partner in the Houston office.

“Stephen is a star lawyer with extensive experience handling executive compensation and the employee benefit aspects of significant transactions, with a particular focus on the energy and infrastructure sector. He will be a great asset to our clients navigating those issues in connection with their deals,” said Jon Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland’s Global Management Executive Committee.

Mr. Jacobson advises public and private companies, and private equity firms and their portfolio companies on a wide range of employment, compensation and benefits matters in business transactions. He regularly advises clients on structuring and implementing equity and cash-based incentive plans as well as the applicable tax, securities law, corporate governance and disclosure implications of those arrangements. Known for providing practical advice, Mr. Jacobson also represents management teams and executives in negotiating employment, separation and incentive agreements.

“Stephen is recognized for his ability to provide highly practical, commercial advice to help clients solve compensation and benefits-related challenges efficiently, especially in the context of complex transactions. Together with the recent addition of Rob Fowler, Stephen’s skills will bolster our top-tier transactional offering in Texas,” said Andrew Calder, a corporate partner in Kirkland’s Houston office and a member of the Firm’s Global Management Executive Committee.

Law360 recognized Mr. Jacobson as a “Rising Star” in 2019, and Legal 500 U.S. has recognized him as a leading lawyer for employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans since 2016.  Mr. Jacobson holds law and bachelor’s degrees from Tulane University.