New York, New York. (April 4, 2025) — Boutique executive compensation and employee benefits law firm Cohen & Buckmann P.C. has hired Texas-based attorney Austin Light as a senior associate, effective March 31. Light brings 10 years of experience in compensation and benefits, estate planning and tax strategy, enhancing the firm’s ability to provide tailored legal advice to employers, executives and high-net-worth individuals.
Light will join the firm’s executive compensation practice, assisting both employers and executives with complex incentive compensation arrangements and transactional matters.
Prior to joining Cohen & Buckmann, Light was an associate at a prominent Texas-based estate planning and tax law firm, where he developed comprehensive estate plans for high-net-worth individuals and professionals and advised businesses on structuring and tax matters. He is also a former senior associate for the executive compensation and benefits department of a leading international law firm with a strong presence in Texas.
"Austin’s ability to simplify complex legal matters and create tailored solutions for clients is exactly what sets him apart,” co-founder and managing partner Sandra Cohen said. “His deep understanding of both the financial and human aspects of our clients’ needs will be a tremendous asset to the firm as we continue to deliver innovative, strategic counsel.”
Light earned his law degree with honors from the University of Texas School of Law, where he served as an associate editor for the Texas Law Review. He obtained his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in Business Administration from Austin College. Light is admitted to practice law in Texas.
“Throughout my career, I've seen how the right compensation structures can transform the careers of my clients. I'm thrilled to join an exceptional team where I can leverage my combined experience in executive compensation and estate planning,” Light said. “What excites me most about this opportunity is being able to bridge these two complex worlds to create strategies that optimize compensation and support long-term wealth planning.”
Cohen & Buckmann
Cohen & Buckmann is a boutique executive compensation and employee benefits law firm based in New York. Its attorneys provide nationwide counsel on a wide range of complex legal matters, including deferred compensation, executive contracts, equity-based compensation, 401(k) plans and pensions, ERISA, employment and investment adviser law, corporate governance and private investments. The Firm has been recognized for its innovative focus on executive compensation and employee benefits law and transaction support with honors including top-tier peer recognition in Chambers USA Guide, Martindale-Hubbell, New York Metro Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and has been named one of the National Law Journal’s Elite Boutique Trailblazers, and Best Lawyers’ Best Law Firms. Visit cohenbuckmann.com for more information and connect with the firm on LinkedIn.