Jennifer Schumacher focuses her practice on executive and equity compensation, qualified retirement plans, and benefit and compensation issues arising in mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs and other business transactions.
Ms. Schumacher regularly advises clients on compensation and benefit issues in mergers and acquisitions. She has assisted large public corporations with all benefit and executive compensation issues arising in connection with the spin-off of certain business segments. She has also represented management teams of several large public companies in negotiating continuing employment arrangements and severance arrangements in connection with the acquisition of their companies by other large public companies.
Ms. Schumacher regularly assists in the design and implementation of sophisticated executive compensation and deferral programs, equity compensation arrangements, and change in control protections for public, private and tax-exempt companies of all sizes. She assists clients with structuring of severance plans and agreements, both for individuals and in connection with larger reductions in force.
Ms. Schumacher was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Employee Benefits Law in 2012 and the four years immediately preceding. She was named a Georgia "Rising Star" in Employee Benefits/ERISA law in 2008 and 2010 and a Georgia "Super Lawyer" in Employee Benefits/ERISA law in 2011 and 2012 by SuperLawyers magazine and is AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Professional & Community Activities
National Association of Stock Planning Professionals, Member
Rice University, North Georgia RAVA Captain
Experience
Strategic acquisition for Equifax, Inc., Represented Equifax, Inc., one of the United States' largest credit reporting agencies, in its $1.4 billion acquisition of publicly held TALX corporation for a combination of stock and cash. The transaction was structured as a tax-free reorganization with a unique share buy back structure to prevent share dilution.
Employee benefits advice for one of the nation's largest providers of telephone and broadband services, Advised one of the nation's largest providers of telephone and broadband services with respect to compensation and employee benefit plan issues in a multi-billion dollar merger with a spun-off subsidiary of another telecommunications company. The firm also conducted due diligence of employee benefit matters in connection with the merger.
Business combination of Certegy Inc. and Fidelity National Information Services Inc., Represented Certegy Inc., a major publicly held credit card and check verification company, in its $4.5 billion merger with Fidelity National Information Services Inc. and related special dividend to shareholders. The firm also advised the company on issues regarding executive compensation and employee benefits matters relating to the merger.
Employee benefits for Acuity Brands Inc. subsidiary spin off, Advised Acuity Brands Inc., one of the world's leading providers of lighting fixtures, with respect to executive compensation and employee benefit matters in spin off of Zep Inc.
*Experience gained by attorney prior to joining Kilpatrick Townsend
Publications
20 January 2012, Information Statements Due by January 31, 2012 for ISO Exercises and ESPP Stock Transfers, Legal Alerts
19 October 2009, 2010 Benefit Limits, Legal Alerts
06 February 2009, Medicare Part D - Employer Notice To CMS, Legal Alerts
31 January 2006, Fear and Loathing on the Benefit Trail: Section 409A and Employer Health Plans, Legal Alerts
24 January 2006, SEC to Propose Major Changes in Executive Compensation Disclosure, Legal Alerts
06 January 2006, DOL Issues Final USERRA Regulations and Employer Notice, Legal Alerts
02 November 2005, 2006 Benefit Limits, Legal Alerts
06 October 2005, The Wait Is Over: Proposed Regulations Under Section 409A, Legal Alerts
30 September 2005, A Hurricane of Relief - A Summary of Employee Benefit Plan Provisions, Legal Alerts
31 August 2005, Part D Creditable Coverage, Subsidy Employer Obligations & Opportunities Under Medicare's New Prescription Drug Program, Legal Alerts
09 February 2005, Exploring NYSE's and Nasdaq's Shareholder Approval Requirements for Equity Compensation Plans
Source: Benefits Law Journal, Articles
News
21 February 2012, Kilpatrick Townsend Once Again Achieves Top Recognition in 2012 Georgia Super Lawyers, News Releases
06 September 2011, Kilpatrick Townsend Earns Record-Breaking Recognition in Annual Best Lawyers in America 2012, News Releases
02 March 2011, Kilpatrick Townsend Once Again Achieves Top Recognition in 2011 Georgia Super Lawyers, News Releases
12 August 2010, Kilpatrick Stockton Earns Record-Breaking Recognition in Annual Best Lawyers in America 2011, News Releases
04 March 2010, Kilpatrick Stockton Ranked Number One in Five 2010 Georgia Super Lawyer Categories, News Releases
31 December 2009, Kilpatrick lawyers seal acquisition, In the News
04 August 2009, Kilpatrick Stockton Earns Record-Breaking Recognition in Annual Best Lawyers in America 2010, News Releases
Events
12 June 2012, KT Breakfast Briefing - Employee Benefit Plans and Executive Compensation; Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them, Events