Global Equity Junior Associate

DLA Piper•Palo Alto, CA

1d•$235,000 - $310,000•Hybrid

About The Position

DLA Piper is seeking an associate with at least two years of experience to join its market-leading Global Equity Group in its San Francisco or Palo Alto office. DLA Piper’s Global Equity Group prides itself on being collaborative and offering an environment in which to engage in meaningful work and grow your career, advises multinational companies on the design, implementation, and administration of employee equity compensation and incentive arrangements across jurisdictions worldwide, representing clients ranging from emerging growth companies looking to expand internationally to Fortune 500 public companies managing existing complex global equity programs. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with leading public and private companies on sophisticated international compensation, tax, securities, regulatory, data privacy, labor law, and corporate transactional matters affecting global incentive compensation programs. The ideal candidate will have experience advising on executive compensation, employee stock plans, equity awards, and cross-border employment matters. In addition, we are seeking candidates who are intellectually curious and have an interest in international issues, particularly with respect to securities, tax, and employment-related matters, including in the context of mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions. Interested candidates should have strong analytical and writing skills, demonstrated attention to detail, good business judgment, excellent organizational skills, the ability to work collaboratively and independently and should be seeking a role that is both specialized and multi-disciplinary.

Requirements

Strong analytical, drafting, communication, and project management skills, along with experience in: Global equity compensation and incentive plans, Employee stock options, Cross-border employment and labor law issues, International tax and regulatory considerations affecting compensation programs, Securities law compliance related to equity compensation, Data privacy considerations impacting employee compensation programs, Corporate transactions involving equity awards and incentive arrangements, Managing projects involving multiple jurisdictions and stakeholders, Advising clients on practical, business-focused solutions to complex legal issues
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school (LLM preferred)
Licensed to practice law in California.
Minimum of 2 years of experience in executive compensation, employee benefits, global equity, tax, employment, or related corporate transactional matters at a law firm or Big Four accounting firm preferred.
Prior exposure to cross-border transactions, international employment issues, or global equity compensation programs is strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

Contract drafting and negotiation skills.
Ability to manage multiple matters and client relationships in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice.

Responsibilities

Advise U.S. and multinational companies on the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of global equity compensation and employee stock purchase plans.
Assist clients with international legal, tax, employment, exchange control, securities, and regulatory issues impacting equity awards and incentive compensation arrangements.
Draft, review, and negotiate documentation related to: Equity incentive plans, Stock option, restricted stock unit (RSU), and performance award agreements, Employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs), Deferred compensation arrangements, Executive compensation and employment-related agreements.
Support mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, IPOs, and other corporate transactions involving employee stock plans and equity awards.
Conduct legal research and prepare analyses regarding global equity compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
Coordinate with local counsel worldwide to implement and maintain international equity compensation programs.
Advise clients on evolving global tax, securities, employment, labor, and data privacy requirements affecting compensation arrangements.
Collaborate with attorneys across the firm's Corporate, Tax, Employment, Privacy, and Benefits practices on complex cross-border matters.