Cohen & Buckmann P.C. has promoted Austin Light and Sherrone Torres to counsel, recognizing their contributions to the firm’s executive compensation, employee benefits and employment law practices.
“Austin and Sherrone are trusted by clients not just because of their fluency with technical rules but also because of their personal connection to each client, counseling on the business and personal considerations behind the decisions they face,” co-founder and managing partner Sandra Cohen said. “We’re excited to recognize their contributions with these promotions.”
Austin advises employers, executives, high-net-worth individuals, management teams, law firms, startup founders on executive compensation and estate planning strategy. His practice includes negotiating employment agreements, structuring equity incentive plans, advising on grants, guiding clients through liquidity events and public company disclosures, and supporting mergers and acquisitions.
Austin’s background in executive compensation, estate planning and tax gives him an intricate understanding of how compensation and equity arrangements can affect both immediate negotiations and long-term planning. He helps clients identify leverage, evaluate tax implications and structure arrangements that account for business goals and personal priorities with an eye towards future liquidity events.
Sherrone advises employers, private equity sponsors, as well as C-suite executives and financial professionals, on compensation and benefits arrangements, compliance matters and employment transitions. She negotiates employment contracts, profits interests and other compensatory arrangements for senior leaders and helps businesses design and implement bonus, incentive compensation and equity plans.
Sherrone’s practice also includes advising on M&A transactions and especially the executive compensation and employee benefits issues that arise, including due diligence, transaction documents, equity treatment and rollovers, 280G analyses, retention and transaction bonus agreements, as well as management team employment, equity and compensation arrangements. She also counsels clients on reductions in force, severance and ERISA matters, restrictive covenants, and employment issues arising in corporate transactions and distressed company situations.
Austin and Sherrone’s promotions come during Cohen & Buckmann’s 10th anniversary year, as the firm continues to grow the team and client relationships that have shaped its first decade.