Education:

  • University of Texas Law School (2016)

  • Vanderbilt University (2011)

bar admissions

California

Tennessee

Executive Compensation, Private Equity & 280G

Brett is Senior Counsel at Cohen & Buckmann, advising on equity compensation and other executive arrangements. Brett advises both employers and executives and has significant experience advising some of the world's leading venture and growth capital firms and venture backed technology and life sciences companies from across the US on equity and compensation matters. Brett's primary focus on equity and compensation plans provides depth and market knowledge in drafting, negotiating and implementing these agreements.

Brett's practice includes advising on:

  • Tax and securities law issues in connection with equity incentive arrangements (including stock options, restricted stock, RSUs, performance awards, and profits interests) throughout the corporate life cycle.

  • Compensation and employee benefit issues that arise in connection with mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, financings, and other corporate transactions.

  • Deferred compensation arrangements and issues under Code Section 409A.

  • Golden parachute tax issues arising under Code Section 280G.

  • Negotiation of offer letters, employment agreements, severance arrangements, and change in control agreements.

Previously, Brett was an attorney in Goodwin Procter's Silicon Valley office.

PUBLICATIONS

Option Repricings in Private Companies: 6 Considerations for Attorneys, The New York Law Journal, November 2024

Top Five Equity Plan Mistakes Start-Ups and Tech Employees Make, June 2024