Kela Shang

Mr. Shang advises multinational companies on the implementation and ongoing compliance of their equity compensation plans, dealing with issues such as securities law compliance, local and cross-border tax obligations, data privacy, exchange control and labor law compliance. He also advises companies on the effects of mergers, reorganizations, spin-offs and other corporate adjustments on their equity programs.

• Advises numerous US-based public and private companies on their incentive compensation programs, including design of such programs, analysis of the tax and regulatory considerations for such programs, preparation of grant documents and employee communications and completion of tax and regulatory filings around the world.
• Advises numerous companies on their IPOs and the global roll-out of public-company equity programs, including design and review of plan documents and award agreements, preparation of tax summaries for employees, guidance on tax withholding and reporting obligations for the issuing company and the local employer and completion of securities and other regulatory filings.
• Advises public and private companies on the treatment of equity plans and awards in corporate transactions, including securities, tax, labor and other key issues that may dictate or otherwise impact the desired approach around the globe.
• Advises private equity-sponsored portfolio companies on the global offering of various equity vehicles such as profits interest units, co-invest equity appreciation rights and stock options.
• Advises private companies on the tax and regulatory issues related to third-party tender offers and share repurchase programs for employee shareholders.
• Advises China-based private companies on the tax and regulatory issues related to various global equity incentive programs.
• Advises Hong Kong-listed, Shanghai-listed and Shenzhen-listed companies on the global roll-out of equity incentive programs.
• Advises companies on the international considerations when implementing a leave of absence policy for equity awards.
• Advises companies on the labor law and other considerations related to the discontinuation or reduction of equity programs in numerous countries, including analysis of risks related to such changes, preparation of employee communications and completion of any applicable governmental filings.
• Advises companies on the equity award implications of reincorporation or redomiciliation transactions (from Bermuda to Delaware; from Switzerland to Ireland).

• National Association of Stock Plan Professionals
• Global Equity Organization

• San Francisco