Benjamin Ho

Benjamin Ho

Partner
Baker & McKenzie LLP

Biography

Ben Ho is a partner in the Employment & Compensation Practice Group in Baker McKenzie’s San Francisco office with a focus in global employment law. With over 20 years of experience, Ben advises US and other multinational companies on employment matters around the world. He is recognized as a 2026 Leading Lawyer for Labor and Employment by Chambers USA (California) and Legal 500 with clients noting, "Ben is extraordinary in how he manages a global team. He is a fantastic coordinator" and "Over the past two years, I worked closely with Ben Ho and several others on the Baker team. What stands out is their grasp of the various risk areas that we were dealing with, the comprehensive advice they were giving, a good overview of how to proceed, and timely responses."

Practice Focus

Ben advises public and private companies, as well as private equity funds, on global employment issues related to workforce expansions, complex cross-border transactions, and global corporate reorganizations. His transactional experience includes managing workforce-related due diligence, advising on the employment aspects of transactional documents, counseling on employee transfer mechanisms, and counseling on notice and consultation requirements along with works counsel and union issues.

Ben also regularly counsels companies on a variety of unique and complex employment issues such as executive employment contracts, international mobility issues, strategic workforce restructuring, workforce management, compliance, background checks, and global incentive compensation plans.

Representative Legal Matters

  • Advised Thoma Bravo, the world's largest software-focused investment firm, on the global employment and compensation aspects of its acquisition of Boeing's Digital Aviation Solutions business. The transaction spanned 26 jurisdictions and approximately 2,000 employees, requiring coordination of employee transfer requirements, hiring structures, and transaction documentation across a complex multinational footprint.
  • Advised Thoma Bravo on the global employment and compensation aspects of the carve-out sale of PROS Holdings' B2B business to Conga across 12 jurisdictions, including employee transfer structuring, alternative hiring arrangements, and transaction document negotiations associated with a complex business-line separation.
  • Advised Western Digital on the employment and compensation aspects of the separation of its flash business, Sandisk Corporation, from its hard drive division. The engagement covered 30+ jurisdictions and 90+ legal entities, including employee transfers, consultation requirements, business transfer agreements, labor relations, compensation and benefits, and workforce transition matters worldwide. Advised Veritas Technologies LLC on global employment and compensation issues across 28 countries in connection with Cohesity’s acquisition of Veritas’ data protection business, and the carve out of Veritas’ remaining business.
  • Advised Artic Wolf Networks Inc. on its acquisition of BlackBerry’s Cylance endpoint security assets across 13 countries globally.
  • Advised a financial services firm in its acquisition of the assets of another investment advisory business. Provided employment diligence, drafted employment and benefits provisions for the asset purchase agreement and key employee documents, and advised on enforceability of post-termination restrictive covenants and protection of customer lists under California law. Worked closely with the client to safeguard key employment-related assets while ensuring compliance with applicable legal requirements.
  • Advised a technology company in connection with its largescale multi-round reduction in force, including counseling on the termination process, notice and severance obligations, separation packages, releases, adverse impact, and preparing termination notices and agreements.
  • Advised a technology company on the implementation of an online self-service leaves of absence tool to assist employees assess potential leave types available to them. 
  • Advised a technology company on its strategy regarding post-termination restrictive covenants involving over 35 jurisdictions.

Professional Honors

  • Ranked in California Labor & Employment, Chambers USA, 2026
  • Ranked as a Leading Partner in Workplace and Employment Counseling, Legal 500 USA 2026

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Bar Association of San Francisco
  • California State Bar Association

Admissions

  • California~United States (2000)

Education

  • University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly University of California, Hastings College of the Law) (J.D.) (2000)
  • University of California at Los Angeles (B.A.) (1995)

Languages

  • English

Previous Offices

  • Palo Alto
  • Contributor, The Employer Report
  • Speaker, "Global Employment Law Fastpass Webinar Series - Strategic Moves Amid Uncertainty," Baker McKenzie Webinar Series, June 2025
  • Speaker, "Strategic Moves Amid Uncertainty: Global Employment Law Update, Trends & Tips” Baker McKenzie In-Person Roundtables, May 2025
  • Quoted in "What Does the New Breastfeeding Law Mean for U.S. Employers?," Wall Street Journal, June 2023
  • Speaker, "California Privacy Law Series - Privacy and HR," Baker McKenzie Webinar, March 2022