Overview
Kate Vera focuses her practice on executive compensation matters related to mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, restructuring plans, initial public offerings, carve-outs and other business transactions. She leads the employee benefits and executive compensation practice in our New York office.
Kate regularly counsels private equity firms and their portfolio companies, as well as public companies, individual executives and management teams, on all aspects of executive compensation across industries, including executive employment agreements, severance arrangements, incentive equity plans and other compensation programs. Clients rely on her nuanced counsel to navigate complex issues such as compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (relating to deferred compensation) and Internal Revenue Code Sections 280G and 4999 (relating to the deductibility limits on executive compensation and the excise tax imposed on excess parachute payments).
Kate has extensive experience advising on executive compensation issues in the bankruptcy, restructuring and insolvency contexts, helping clients navigate the challenges associated with implementing effective arrangements and retaining key talent in a distressed environment. She also advises clients regarding compliance with proxy disclosure and corporate governance regulations as they relate to executive compensation.
Kate is a member of Chief, a private membership network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders. She also speaks frequently to industry organizations on topics such as preparing for initial public offerings and executive compensation.
Results
- Represented Inverness Graham in its acquisition of BenefitHub, a global market provider of employee benefits and discounts
- Represented Peak Rock Capital, LLC in its platform acquisition of California Custom Fruits and Flavors, LLC, an industry-leading provider and developer of custom value-added fruit and flavor ingredients
- Represented Bain-Capital-backed Diversey (NASDAQ: DSEY), a provider of hygiene, infection prevention and cleaning solutions, in its pending $4.6 billion sale to Solenis*
- Advised Intelsat on its confirmation of a plan of reorganization following its Chapter 11 filing with approximately $14.7 billion in funded debt*
- Advised the special committee of the board of directors of Verso Corporation on its sale to BillerudKorsnäs for $825 million*
- Represented Bain-Capital-backed Blue Nile, an online retailer of fine jewelry, in its $360 million sale to Signet Jewelers*
- Advised Thoughtworks Holding, Inc., on its $840 million initial public offering*
- Represented Bristol-Myers Squibb in its $13.1 billion acquisition of MyoKardia*
- Represented Wyndham Worldwide in its separation via spin-off into two separate publicly traded hospitality companies (Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc., and Wyndham Destinations, Inc.) valued at approximately $11 billion*
- Represented GLP in the $18.7 billion sale of its US logistics business to Blackstone, the largest-ever private real estate transaction globally*
- Represented Sycamore Partners in its $6.9 billion acquisition of Staples, Inc.*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott.
Recognitions
- Chambers USA, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, 2024
- Legal 500 US, Recommended, 2023 and 2024
Credentials
Education
New York University School of Law, LLM, 2015
New York University School of Law, JD, 2010
Stanford University, BA, with distinction, 2006
Admissions
New York
Massachusetts
Pennsylvania (Inactive)
Languages
English
Russian
