Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP announced today that Brandon M. Gantus has joined the firm’s US employee benefits & executive compensation practice as a partner based in Silicon Valley.

Mr. Gantus’s practice focuses on the representation of companies in their compensation and employee benefits matters, with a particular focus on M&A and capital markets transactions. He advises clients on the design, drafting and administration of equity-based compensation programs; employment, consulting, retention, severance, change-in-control and deferred compensation arrangements; and the associated tax, accounting, ERISA and securities law implications. He also regularly assists public and private companies with governance and compliance matters.

“As transactions continue to grow in scope and complexity, it is critical to provide the high-level executive compensation and employee benefits advice that matches our corporate clients’ needs,” said Lori Goodman, co-head of Freshfields’ US employee benefits and executive compensation practice.

“Brandon’s deep experience with both emerging private and public companies will be an asset to our clients and the firm, perfectly complementing the skills of our existing team,” added US employee benefits and executive compensation practice co-head Nicole Foster.

Mr. Gantus has played a key role in advising on the employee benefits and compensation aspects of many significant transactions over the last several years, including: