Barbara Klementz
Biography
Barbara Klementz is the managing partner of Baker & McKenzie's Los Angeles, Palo Alto and San Francisco offices in California. She is the chair of Baker McKenzie’s Compensation Sub Practice Group. She has practiced in the area of global equity and executive compensation for over 18 years. Barbara has authored several articles on global equity issues for the BNA Executive Compensation Journal, Journal of Corporate Taxation and San Francisco and Los Angeles Daily Journal, among others, and she is the author of a blog on global equity related topics called the Global Equity Equation. She is also a frequent speaker on a variety of global equity topics. Barbara has been recognized as a ranked practitioner by Chambers USA 2018. Chambers states that she "consistently delivers top-notch assistance and work product, and is a true expert in the field." Barbara is admitted to private practice in California and Düsseldorf, Germany.
Practice Focus
Barbara focuses her practice on global equity compensation programs, employee benefits and executive compensation. She regularly advises multinational companies on implementing their equity compensation programs worldwide — particularly as it relates to tax and securities law matters and exchange control regulations. Barbara also frequently advises on the treatment of such programs in corporate spin-offs and other corporate transactions, as well as on the tax treatment of cross-border employees.
Representative Legal Matters
- Advised on regulatory and tax issues surrounding employee equity awards in over 40 countries related to Computer Sciences Corporation’s merger with a subsidiary of a global technology company to form an independent, public company, DXC Technologies, Inc.
- Advised Symantec Corporation on the global tax and regulatory consequences surrounding their equity awards in the USD 6.3 billion sale of its information management and storage unit, Veritas Technologies Inc., to The Carlyle Group, a private investment firm specializing in global alternative asset management.
- Advised Citrix Systems, Inc. on the tax and legal issues affecting equity awards held by employees of GetGo subsidiary in spin-off and subsequent merger with LogMeIn.
- Advised semiconductor company on international equity compensation issues related to spin-off of subsidiary.
- Advised Fortune 100 software company on implementation of RSU program in approximately 90 countries.
- Advised Fortune 100 software company on tax and regulatory issues related to adjustment of equity awards as a result of extraordinary dividend distribution.
- Represented internet company in assuming various equity plans operated by acquired companies and advised on related tax and regulatory issues.
- Provided advice on tax treatment of cross-border transferring employees with regard to outstanding equity awards.
- Advised semiconductor company on implementation of global recharge program for equity awards in 25 countries.
Professional Honors
- Ranked Practitioner, Chambers USA, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, 2017 - 2018
- Recognized Practitioner, Chambers USA, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, 2016
- Recognized Lawyer, Legal 500, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, 2016
- Named one of Silicon Valley's "Incubators of Innovation," The Recorder, 2015
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Global Equity Organization - Board of Directors
- National Association of Stock Plan Professionals
- State Bar of California
- San Francisco Bar Association
Admissions
- California~United States (2001)
- Düsseldorf~Germany (1999)
Education
- University of San Francisco School of Law (LL.M. International & Comparative Law) (2000)
- University of Bonn (Assessor Exam) (1998)
- University of Bonn (First State Exam) (1995)
Languages
- English
- French
- German
Baker & McKenzie LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership organized under the laws of the State of Illinois (USA) and is a member of Baker & McKenzie International, a Verein organized under the laws of Switzerland.