James A. Metz

Jay Metz, Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Tax Department and the firm's Finance Committee, advises individual executives, public and private companies, and compensation committees on a broad array of compensation and benefits issues in the context of day-to-day business, corporate transactions, and crisis situations. 

Mr. Metz regularly designs compensation plans and advises clients with respect to tax, securities, and corporate law issues that arise in connection with establishing and administering plans, including:

• Stock option and other equity incentive plans
• Phantom equity, carveout, and other retention plans
• Employee stock purchase plans
• Nonqualified deferred compensation plans
• Incentive compensation plans and arrangements

Mr. Metz represents clients with respect to compensation and benefits issues in a variety of corporate transactions, including:

• Corporate mergers and acquisitions
• Spin-offs
• Initial public offerings

He regularly works with employers and executives to negotiate, design, and document executive employment, change in control, and severance agreements. In addition, he advises companies on matters affecting tax-qualified retirement plans, and health and welfare programs.

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Metz was the Chief Financial Officer of an independent physician association and health maintenance organization. He also served several years in the United States Air Force as a cryptologic linguist.