Karen Shriver

• Advised the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates, outside oil and gas, and the biggest premium aluminum producer in the world on all aspects of executive compensation and employee benefits matters in connection with the acquisition of a majority stake in an American aluminum recycling firm
• Advised a leading specialized contracting services company, delivering comprehensive infrastructure solutions for the utility, renewable energy, communications, pipeline and energy industries on all aspects of executive compensation and employee benefits matters in connection with a US$1.54 billion acquisition of a premier electrical infrastructure solutions provider to the technology, renewable energy, and infrastructure and commercial industries
• Advised a private Italian company that provides information technology (IT) services and digital relationship management (DRM) outsourcing services on all aspects of executive compensation and employee benefits matters in connection with the US$335 million take-private acquisition of an American software, hardware, and smart mobility infrastructure management services company
• Advised a private equity seed stage fund on all aspects of executive compensation and employee benefits matters in connection with the acquisition of 10 multi-location car wash operators
• Advised a global customer engagement and marketing platform on all aspects of executive compensation and employee benefits matters in connection with a US$12 billion acquisition by a software company
• Advised a financial services company on all aspects of executive compensation and employee benefits matters in connection with a US$4 billion acquisition by a global payment technology and software company
• Represented a middle market direct lender in a dynamic distressed transaction and advised on the design and implementation of employment agreements, consulting agreements, retention bonus agreements, separation agreements, and a long-term incentive plan
• Advised a public online video competition platform on the design and implementation of an omnibus incentive equity plan, forms of award agreements, and participant frequently asked questions (FAQs)
• Represented a public oilfield solutions company in the review and preparation of public filings and proxy statements
• Advised a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) on the design and implementation of an employee stock purchase plan
• Represented a home health and hospice services company in the design and implementation of employment agreements, director agreements, a profits interest plan, and annual cash bonus plan
• Advised a private company on designing an Internal Revenue Code Section 409A-compliant severance arrangement
• Routinely represented the global private real estate investment management arm of an American multinational investment bank and financial services company in connection with real estate acquisitions and the determination of Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) venture capital operating company (VCOC)/real estate operating company (REOC) status and preparation of an annual opinion for investors

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Karen worked for another Am Law 100 international law firm. She focused her practice on executive compensation, employee benefits and ERISA fiduciary areas of law.

Karen advised public and private companies and senior executives on nearly all aspects of benefits and compensation. She counseled clients on benefits and compensation considerations that apply in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other corporate transactions. She also advised clients with respect to the design and operation of equity compensation arrangements and the implications of Sections 162(m), 280G and 409A of the Internal Revenue Code on such arrangements. In addition, Karen advised clients with respect to the design and operation of employee benefit programs, including tax qualified retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, defined benefit plans and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs)), health, welfare and other fringe benefit benefits plans.

Karen has broad knowledge of the ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), COBRA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and plan fiduciary governance matters. She also has experience in dealing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), US Department of Labor (DOL), and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PGBC) on behalf of her clients.

Karen also advised and counseled clients in connection with institutional investment and ERISA fiduciary matters, including with respect to the "plan asset" rules and VCOC and REOC structuring.

Prior to entering private legal practice, Karen worked in the in the State and Local Tax practice of a Big Four accounting firm. She also worked for a global pharmaceutical company and consumer goods company prior to law school.