Martha N. Steinman

As Co-Chair of the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice, she counsels clients in diverse industries, including luxury brands, to navigate the rough seas they face as they strive to develop sensible and effective compensation programs in the face of potential criticism from shareholders and outside commentators. Martha's goal is to offer her clients pragmatic advice to find solutions that will meet their business needs, reflect evolving best practices, and withstand external scrutiny.

Martha has widespread experience in executive compensation, employee benefits, qualified and non-qualified plans, and welfare plans. She also works with clients to address employee benefit issues in the context of mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, guides them through the transaction itself, and advises them on post-closing transition issues.

A significant portion of Martha's practice is in the area of equity and incentive compensation. Additionally, she works with clients to negotiate employment and severance agreements, design compensation packages, and determine retirement planning. Martha also advises companies on traditional employee benefit plan matters. She works with her clients to insure the qualified status of their plans under IRS rules and advises retirement plan committees on ERISA fiduciary matters. Where her clients face challenges, she works with them to defend audits and negotiate settlements with the IRS and the Department of Labor.

Martha is a frequent speaker on matters relating to executive compensation, corporate governance, and ethics. She is active in bar association and other industry groups and has held numerous leadership positions.