Executive Compensation Associate Attorney

Clifford Chance LLP; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 310,000 - 390,000; Full time

Job summary

Clifford Chance US LLP is seeking a highly motivated associate attorney to join the Executive Compensation team in New York or Houston. You will advise on remuneration, incentives and employment tax across jurisdictions, and work on cross‑border transactions with depth in equity-based compensation design.

The ideal candidate holds a JD from a US law school, with strong academic credentials, and admits to the New York or Texas Bar. Prior peer‑firm experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited US law school.
• High academic achievement.
• Experience in Executive Compensation; equity-based compensation design and related M&A experience.
• Strong interest, entrepreneurial mindset and team-player.
• Admitted to (or waive‑able into) the New York or Texas Bar.
• Prior experience in a peer law firm.

Responsibilities

• Advise on remuneration policies, incentives and employment tax in cross‑border matters.
• Design, structure and implement equity-based compensation solutions.
• Collaborate with corporate, finance and disputes teams on complex transactions.

Skills

Executive compensation

M&A experience

Team player

Entrepreneurial mindset

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

US law school

Job description

Job Description

As a global law firm our work spans jurisdictions, cultures, and languages – and so do our people.

Our culture is collaborative and inclusive— where diverse perspectives are recognised and valued. Where performing to your highest ability, unlocks equal access to opportunities to learn, thrive and grow.

We combine deep legal expertise and commercial intelligence to grow, transform, protect, and defend our clients' businesses, across every critical moment.

We operate in the sectors and regions that matter to our clients. With forward-thinking insights and innovative, tech-enabled solutions that combine deep knowledge of their sectors and markets.

You’ll build connections and work with colleagues as one global team. You’ll unlock opportunities for clients, across borders, cultures, legal and commercial disciplines.

Join us to work with colleagues as one global team – empowering each other to be exceptional and create advantage for our clients.

The role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced associate attorney to join our Executive Compensation team in New York or Houston.

We advise clients through our four integrated sub-groups – Tax, Employment, Incentives and Pensions – delivering coordinated, cross‑border support on transactional, advisory and contentious matters. Our lawyers combine deep technical expertise with strong commercial and sector insight, embedding tax, workforce, remuneration and pensions considerations within the wider legal and regulatory framework. Working closely with corporate, finance, restructuring and disputes teams across jurisdictions, we provide pragmatic, solution‑focused advice on complex, multi‑jurisdictional and high‑risk issues. We act for a diverse international client base, including private capital sponsors, asset managers, multinational groups, financial institutions, trustees and insurers.

We advise public and private companies on remuneration, incentives and employment tax globally. We are trusted advisers on complex and sensitive remuneration matters, including remuneration policy, incentive design and operation and the remuneration aspects of corporate governance, regulatory issues, reputational risk, disclosure and senior executive hires and exits.

Our work spans the full spectrum of legal, regulatory and tax matters, including remuneration packages, share-based and cash compensation - from all-employee plans, LTIPs, MIPs and deferred compensation to bespoke arrangements. We advise on standalone advisory matters and on major corporate transactions, including M&A, IPOs and other transformational events.

Our diverse client base, international footprint and broad industry experience give us a strong global perspective on emerging trends and evolving market practice.

Qualifications

Your experience

The ideal applicant will possess the following qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited US law school;
• High academic achievement;
• Experience in Executive Compensation; experience designing, structuring, and implementing equity-based compensation alternatives and expertise in employment, retention and separation agreements. Strong public and private M&A experience.
• Strong interest in the subject area, entrepreneurial and a team-player;
• Admitted to (or possessing the ability to waive into) the New York or Texas Bar;
• Prior experience in a peer law firm.

Preferred class years 2020-2022. Submissions must include a resume and law school transcript(s).

Clifford Chance US LLP offers a comprehensive benefits and compensation package. The salary range for this role is $310,000-$390,000. Actual salary will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.

Additional Information

At Clifford Chance, we forge an inclusive culture, where all perspectives are recognised and valued. It’s a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunities to thrive and succeed, irrespective of background. We are guided by our values-based Code, which sets high standards of conduct and has a principle focused on being inclusive.

We are an equal opportunity employer and provide consideration to all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We comply with the law and regulations in every location where we operate and across all aspects of employment, from recruitment and selection to development, progression, and day-to-day working life.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here