Global Equity Junior Associate

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive.  Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm.  Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career.  Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary
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.

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.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

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

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school (LLM preferred)

Bar Admission

• Licensed to practice law in California.

Experience

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Physical Demands
Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment-The firm's work location requirements may be modified at the firm's discretion

• Hybrid - Regular in-office presence with some flexibility for work-from-home

Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Application Process

 Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email. Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact [email protected].

Search Firms 

Per the terms of our agreement, all candidates must be submitted through the firm’s agency portal for consideration. If you have an agreement with the firm, please log in to the agency portal.  If you do not have an agreement with us and would like us to consider candidates, please send a blind candidate profile to [email protected].

Pay Transparency 

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $235,000 - $310,000 per year depending on the candidate’s geographic market location. The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Non-California applicants who apply for this California-based role do so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

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DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center.