Press Release

Highly Regarded Executive Compensation and Benefits Lawyer Thomas Asmar Joins Baker McKenzie

Issued by Baker McKenzie

Jan. 23, 2020

Firm continues growth in Silicon Valley supporting M&A and corporate transactions

Baker McKenzie has added highly accomplished lawyer Thomas Asmar as partner, bringing nearly 20 years of experience advising companies and private equity funds on all employee benefits and compensation issues related to corporate transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, IPOs and financings. He joins the Firm from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

Based in Silicon Valley, Tom will play an integral role in the expanding M&A practice in Silicon Valley, led by Partner Leif King, another recent addition from Skadden. Tom counsels companies in a variety of industries on the design, negotiation and implementation of compensation arrangements, including employment agreements, equity compensation plans, incentive compensation, deferred compensation, severance agreements and change-in-control arrangements, for executives and employees. Tom also advises clients on tax, securities and corporate governance law issues as they relate to executive compensation and employee benefit arrangements.

"Bringing Tom to the Firm adds bench strength to our North American M&A and helps us further strengthen our position as a leading transactional group in Silicon Valley," said Alan Zoccolillo, Chair of the Firm's North America Corporate & Securities Practice. 

Added George Avraam, Chair of Baker McKenzie's North America Employment & Compensation Practice, "As our clients undertake significant cross-border transactions, they look to us for guidance on the complex employment, compensation, and benefits issues that often arise in these deals. Tom's deep experience in this area will be extremely valuable to our team as we continue to enhance and expand our M&A services."

“Since Leif King’s arrival in August, we have been building a market-leading M&A team around him,” said Colin Murray, North America Chief Executive Officer. “Tom’s arrival is another win for our West Coast Transactional Practice and our clients.”

Baker McKenzie is a transactional powerhouse with over 2,500 deal lawyers and expertise in more than 46 countries. We do more cross-border transactions than any other law firm in the world, and are ranked #1 in cross-border deals by volume over the past decade. 

"I am excited to join a highly regarded Firm such as Baker McKenzie and am looking forward to working with the talented teams in the employment and compensation and transactional practices," added Tom.

Tom received his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law and his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is licensed to practice law in California and is a Certified Public Accountant.
 

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