Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
In today’s world, the people of an organization are its most important asset. In order to care for this critical resource, employers must provide a benefits and compensation package that is competitive in the marketplace, is aligned with the interests of the organization, and does not constitute a source of unnecessary risk or cost to the organization due to compliance issues.
Our benefits and executive compensation attorneys collaborate with clients of all sizes in a variety of different industries to design and develop benefit programs and incentive compensation arrangements that meet these key goals, while also navigating the complex regulatory and tax laws that impact these arrangements. Once programs are in place, we provide on-going counsel and support to ensure they are administered prudently and to address any compliance issues which may arise.
Our attorneys support organizations and other attorneys in situations where benefits and compensation issues are a priority and the skill, experience, and knowledge to handle those issues is a necessity. These circumstances include handling benefit issues that arise in corporate transactions, representing clients in ERISA litigation, supporting a client in an IRS or DOL audit relating to employee benefit plans, or advising public pension plans that are solely in the business of providing and administering retirement benefits for public employees.
Our attorneys also advise individual employees in connection with evaluating and negotiating compensation and incentive packages offered by their employer and mitigating any adverse tax consequences or risks.
Whatever the need or circumstance, our benefits and executive compensation attorneys strive to provide creative and cost-efficient solutions to best protect, manage, and retain our clients’ number one asset: their people.
Our employee benefits and executive compensation experience includes a variety of different compensation and benefit arrangements, as well as specialized areas practice. These areas of service include:
- Executive and Incentive Compensation
- Retirement Plans
- Public Pension Plans
- Health, Welfare and Fringe Benefit Plans/ACA Compliance
- Fiduciary Counsel and Governance
- ERISA Litigation
- Merger and Acquisition Support
- Section 409A Compliance and Deferred Compensation
- Plan Correction and IRS & DOL Audits
Jackson Walker Represents Cambridgeport Capital in Sale of Integrity Assessment Group
Jackson Walker represented JRGO, LLC d/b/a Integrity Assessment Group (“IAG”), a leading provider of pipeline integrity and other testing services for the energy industry, and its controlling equityholder, Cambridgeport Capital, in a sale transaction with XCEL NDT, a portfolio company of Greycliff Partners. The transaction closed on September 8, 2025, for an undisclosed amount.
Client Results • October 27, 2025
Jackson Walker Advises CEC Facilities Group in $505M Sale to Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.
Jackson Walker represented CEC Facilities Group, LLC, a leading specialty electrical and mechanical contractor, in its $505 million sale of assets to Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (Nasdaq: STRL). The transaction included $450 million in cash and $55 million in Sterling common stock, with an additional earn-out opportunity based on future operating income targets.
Client Results • September 23, 2025
Jackson Walker Represents Surge Private Equity in $50M+ Investment in White Plains Linen
Jackson Walker advised Surge Private Equity in connection with a majority investment in White Plains Linen, a New York-based provider of commercial laundry and textile rental services. The transaction, which closed on August 1, 2025, was valued in excess of $50 million and was supported by senior debt financing from Capital Southwest Corporation.
Client Results • August 25, 2025
Concentra Expands Occupational Health Services With Acquisition of Nova Medical Centers
Jackson Walker represented Concentra Group Holdings Parent, Inc. in its acquisition of U.S. Occmed Holdings, the parent company of Nova Medical Centers. The transaction marks a significant milestone in Concentra’s strategic expansion in the occupational health services sector.
Client Results • April 2, 2025
German Client OKE Group Acquires Plastics Manufacturer for Automotive Industry
Germany-based OKE Group GmbH and its United States subsidiary, OKE USA Holding, Inc., has acquired Polymerica Limited Company d/b/a Global Enterprises. With this acquisition, OKE has secured a footprint in North America and more capacities in eastern Europe.
Client Results • July 24, 2024
Jackson Walker Serves as Tax and Benefits Counsel to Thomas Doll in Acquisition by Earned Wealth
Jackson Walker served as tax and benefits counsel to Thomas Doll, a wealth management firm, in its acquisition by an affiliate of Noho Financial, Inc., d/b/a Earned Wealth.
Client Results • June 21, 2024
Jackson Walker Represents M1 Support Services in Sale of Controlling Interest to Cerberus Capital Management
Jackson Walker represented M1 Support Services, a Texas-based provider of aviation services to the United States government for critical military aircraft and aviation programs, in the sale of a controlling interest to Cerberus Capital Management.
Client Results • June 5, 2024
Jackson Walker Represents Novaria Group in Completing Six Acquisitions in Seven Months
Novaria Group, a leading manufacturer of specialty hardware, components, and coatings for the aerospace and defense industries, recently completed its acquisition of STROCO Manufacturing, Inc. This deal marks the sixth acquisition Novaria has announced from December of 2021 through July of 2022, taking place after its successful acquisitions of FMi Chemical, Hohman Plating, Advanced Coating, Hydro Fitting, and GK Mechanical Systems.
Client Results • September 27, 2022
Jackson Walker Advises Montana Instruments Corporation in Acquisition by Atlas Copco
Atlas Copco, a Swedish industrial tools and equipment manufacturer, has announced the acquisition of client Montana Instruments Corporation for an undisclosed purchase price. The acquisition is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2022.
Client Results • August 29, 2022
More Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Client Results
A Welcome Back Gift: IRS Releases 2026 Qualified Plan Limits
By Greta E. Cowart
With the budget impasse resolved, federal agencies are back to work and government employees have returned to their posts. The Internal Revenue Service returned and brought us the long-awaited list of updated lists for qualified retirement plans. This list does not include SIMPLE plans, or starter plans or governmental plans.
Insights • November 20, 2025
US Employers Face Mounting Lawsuits Over Retirement Fund Fees | Financial Times
Steven W. Day featured in the Financial Times.
US workers are on pace to file a near-record number of class-action lawsuits over excessive fees in retirement plans this year, as lucrative settlements attract more plaintiff law firms to the issue.
Mentions • November 12, 2025
Fiduciary Considerations in Actuarial Assumptions: Insights from Recent ERISA Litigation
By Chuck Campbell, Alyca Garrison, and Laurel Malone
This issue of The NAPPA Report examines recent ERISA decisions and their implications for pension plan fiduciaries, with a particular focus on the use of actuarial assumptions in plan administration.
The NAPPA Report is primarily intended for the personal educational use of NAPPA members, and to provide general information only. It does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. The reader should consult with legal counsel to determine how laws or decisions discussed herein apply to the reader’s specific circumstances. The views and opinions expressed in The NAPPA Report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official policy or position of NAPPA; The NAPPA Report does not require peer review of the articles published. The NAPPA Report is subject to copyright, and circulation is limited to NAPPA members. Permission to use, copy, or reprint this newsletter or its contents for any other purpose requires the advance written permission of NAPPA.
Insights • November 7, 2025
Jackson Walker Earns 27 National and 142 Metropolitan Rankings in 2026 Edition of “Best Law Firms”
Jackson Walker proudly announces its inclusion in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms® by Best Lawyers. This year, Jackson Walker observed notable improvements in the rankings, including the addition of Construction Law as National Tier 3 and the advancement and additions of 14 practice areas in the metropolitan rankings.
Spotlight • November 6, 2025
Annual Enrollment Guidance: Pediatric Vaccine Coverage Mandates for Group Health Plans
By Greta E. Cowart
Recent headlines have provided us with information on changing approvals of recommended vaccines. It is important to remember that news items do not immediately impact group health plan coverage. As the group health plan rules continue to evolve, longstanding legal requirements still apply.
Insights • September 26, 2025
Jackson Walker Congratulates 2025 Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the recognition of 75 attorneys by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers in the 2025 “Texas Super Lawyers” list, as well as 66 attorneys as “Texas Rising Stars” for 2025. Each year, less than 5% of attorneys are selected to Super Lawyers and 2.5% to Rising Stars. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
Attorney News • September 18, 2025
