With a focus on the ever-changing needs of our clients’ workplaces, Nixon Peabody has further strengthened its labor and employment practice with the arrival of new partner Karen D. Ng, a nationally recognized leader in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Ms. Ng joins Nixon Peabody’s San Francisco office from Sedgwick LLP, where she led the employee benefits practice.

“Employee benefits law has never been so complex. Employers are particularly focused on proactively managing benefit plans to best comply with rapidly changing laws and regulations,” said Jeffrey Tanenbaum, leader of Nixon Peabody’s national labor and employment practice. “In addition to adding depth to our skilled Employee Benefits team, Karen’s extensive experience with the design, implementation, and administration of ESOPs also adds an exciting new dimension to what we can offer our clients.”

A significant portion of Ms. Ng’s practice involves the structuring and financing of ESOP transactions and the role of ESOPs and other benefit plans in corporate mergers, acquisitions, IPOs, restructurings, and ownership succession arrangements. Ms. Ng’s practice also extends to all aspects and types of employee retirement plans (such as pension, profit sharing, and 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans), as well as welfare benefit plans (including health care plans and cafeteria plans), and executive compensation, including stock options and other stock incentive plans.

Prior to joining Sedgwick LLP, Ms. Ng was a partner at the former Thelen firm. “Karen’s arrival provides an opportunity for her to work alongside many friends and colleagues including me,” said Anthony Barron, managing partner of Nixon Peabody’s San Francisco office. Approximately 80 attorneys from the former Thelen firm came to Nixon Peabody in 2008. “We are thrilled to work with Karen again and her practice also aligns nicely with our corporate practice, an area we are focused on significantly expanding in northern California.”

An active member of the ESOP Association, Ms. Ng is a steering committee member and previously served as vice president of professional members for the Association’s California/Western States Chapter. She is a member of the State Bar of California and National Center of Employee Ownership. A graduate of University of San Francisco School of Law, Ms. Ng earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

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