Chase advises public and private companies, boards of directors, compensation committees, and executives on a broad range of executive compensation and employee benefits matters. His practice is focused on the compensation and benefits issues that arise in mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, and other strategic business transactions. He works closely with clients and teams to develop practical solutions that align with both business objectives and legal requirements.
A significant portion of Chase’s practice involves counseling clients on the design, negotiation, and implementation of executive compensation arrangements. He advises on equity- and cash-based incentive plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, employment and separation agreements, severance programs, change-in-control protections, and other compensation and benefits arrangements. In M&A and private equity transactions, Chase frequently structures management incentive programs and rollover equity arrangements designed to align the interests of management and investors. He also advises on management liquidity programs in connection with debt and equity financings and corporate reorganizations.
Chase regularly counsels public companies and compensation committees on executive and director compensation matters. His experience includes drafting and reviewing executive compensation disclosures for proxy statements and other SEC filings, advising on securities law and stock exchange requirements, and counseling clients on related corporate governance issues.
ESOP transactions are also an important component of Chase’s practice. As a member of the Firm’s nationally recognized ESOP team, he represents companies, business owners, fiduciaries, lenders, and other stakeholders in the structuring and implementation of ESOP transactions. His background in executive compensation, ERISA, and corporate transactions allows him to address the wide range of legal and business issues that can arise in employee ownership transactions.
In addition, Chase advises employers on the design and administration of health and welfare benefit plans. He counsels clients on matters arising under ERISA, COBRA, the Affordable Care Act, cafeteria plan rules, and other laws and regulations affecting employer-sponsored benefit programs.
Before rejoining Dinsmore, Chase practiced in the Washington, D.C., office of an international law firm, where he advised clients on the employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions.
Chase earned his LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center, his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
