Cravath’s New York Office Moves to Two Manhattan West
Partner, Executive Compensation and Benefits
Jonathan J. Katz advises clients on a wide range of executive compensation and human resource‑related matters. His transactional practice involves advising on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, spin‑offs, joint ventures and private equity transactions. He also regularly counsels both corporate and individual clients on the design, negotiation and implementation of employment agreements and incentive compensation programs. Additionally, Mr. Katz handles securities law compliance matters relating to executive compensation, including new and evolving regulatory matters, such as clawback rules, pay vs. performance disclosure and related matters. Mr. Katz has represented numerous founders and high‑profile executives in compensation‑related matters.
Mr. Katz’s clients have included Ashland, Atlas Air, Banco Santander, BDT Capital Partners, Biogen, Brookfield, Canadian National Railway, Daily Mail, Disney, Eurazeo, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Kenvue, Kraft Heinz, Lindsay Goldberg, Northrop Grumman, Novartis, Robinhood, Time Warner, Unilever, US Foods, Valvoline and Viatris.
Mr. Katz’s notable transactions include representing:
Mr. Katz has been recognized for his work in the employee benefits and executive compensation area by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US and Super Lawyers. In 2019, he was named a “Rising Star” by Law360, recognizing him as one of five outstanding benefits lawyers in the nation under the age of 40. He has also been named by Lawdragon as one of “500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers” and has been listed as a Top Employment Lawyer in North America by MergerLinks.
Mr. Katz is a recipient of the James H. Fogelson Emerging Leadership Award from the UJA-Federation of New York.
Mr. Katz was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received a B.S. from Cornell University in 2003, a J.D. summa cum laude from Cardozo School of Law in 2007, where he was Notes Editor of the Law Review, and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law in 2013.
Mr. Katz joined Cravath in 2007 and was elected a partner in 2015. He is Co‑Chair of the Diversity Committee.
Mr. Katz’s clients have included Ashland, Atlas Air, Banco Santander, BDT Capital Partners, Biogen, Brookfield, Canadian National Railway, Daily Mail, Disney, Eurazeo, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Kenvue, Kraft Heinz, Lindsay Goldberg, Northrop Grumman, Novartis, Robinhood, Time Warner, Unilever, US Foods, Valvoline and Viatris.
Mr. Katz’s notable transactions include representing:
Mr. Katz has been recognized for his work in the employee benefits and executive compensation area by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US and Super Lawyers. In 2019, he was named a “Rising Star” by Law360, recognizing him as one of five outstanding benefits lawyers in the nation under the age of 40. He has also been named by Lawdragon as one of “500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers” and has been listed as a Top Employment Lawyer in North America by MergerLinks.
Mr. Katz is a recipient of the James H. Fogelson Emerging Leadership Award from the UJA-Federation of New York.
Mr. Katz was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received a B.S. from Cornell University in 2003, a J.D. summa cum laude from Cardozo School of Law in 2007, where he was Notes Editor of the Law Review, and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law in 2013.
Mr. Katz joined Cravath in 2007 and was elected a partner in 2015. He is Co‑Chair of the Diversity Committee.
International Bar Association
Law360
Chambers USA
Law360
Lawdragon
The Legal 500 US
MergerLinks
Super Lawyers ‑ Rising Stars ‑ New York
James H. Fogelson Emerging Leadership Award, UJA-Federation of New York, 2023
Deals & Cases
April 04, 2024
On April 3, 2024, The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”) announced that, based on the tabulation of its proxy solicitor, it appears that Disney’s full slate of 12 directors has been elected by a substantial margin over the nominees of Trian and Blackwells at Disney’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Cravath is representing Disney in connection with this matter.
Deals & Cases
March 21, 2024
Cravath represented ODDITY Tech Ltd. (“ODDITY”) in connection with the $239 million registered secondary offering of ODDITY’s class A ordinary shares by a fund managed by L Catterton. ODDITY is a consumer tech company that builds and scales digital‑first brands for the beauty and wellness industries in the United States and internationally. ODDITY owns IL MAKIAGE and SpoiledChild. The shares were listed on the NASDAQ Global Market. The transaction closed on March 19, 2024.
Deals & Cases
February 28, 2024
On February 28, 2024, Viatris Inc. (“Viatris”), a global healthcare company, and Idorsia Ltd (“Idorsia”) announced they have entered into agreements for a significant global research and development collaboration under which Viatris will receive exclusive global development and commercialization rights to two Phase 3 assets as well as the potential to add additional innovative assets in the future.
Deals & Cases
February 12, 2024
On February 12, 2024, CymaBay Therapeutics (“CymaBay”) and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (“Gilead”) announced a definitive agreement under which Gilead will acquire CymaBay for $32.50 per share in cash or a total equity value of $4.3 billion. The addition of CymaBay’s investigational lead product candidate, seladelpar for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis, complements Gilead’s existing liver portfolio and aligns with its longstanding commitment to bringing transformational medicines to patients. Cravath is representing CymaBay in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
January 25, 2024
On January 18, 2024, IBM announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire application modernization capabilities from Advanced, bringing a combination of talent, tools and knowledge to enhance IBM Consulting’s mainframe application and data modernization services. Cravath is representing IBM in connection with the transaction.
Activities & Publications
May 06, 2024
On April 22, 2024, Tax Notes State published an article written by Cravath partners J. Leonard Teti II and Jonathan J. Katz entitled “Ohtani: State Tax Planning Potential of Deferred Compensation.” The article examines how Shohei Ohtani’s record‑breaking contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers highlights a very typical deferred compensation state planning opportunity on a grand scale and discusses the potential of similar structures in the corporate setting.
Activities & Publications
April 25, 2024
On April 25, 2024, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “FTC Adopts Rule “Banning” Non‑Compete Clauses with Workers.” The memo examines the Federal Trade Commission’s recently adopted final rule broadly deeming non‑compete clauses with “workers” to be an “unfair method of competition” under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The memo outlines how the final rule does not necessarily constitute a ban on non‑compete clauses, potential legal challenges to the final rule and expected future enforcement. The memo concludes with recommendations for companies to consider to ensure they are in position to adapt to the changing landscape.
Activities & Publications
December 08, 2023
Cravath partners Jonathan J. Katz and Michael L. Arnold participated in the International Bar Association’s 8th Annual Corporate Governance Conference, which was held from December 7‑8, 2023, in Frankfurt, Germany.
Activities & Publications
November 13, 2023
On November 7, 2023, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “New York Passes Law Restricting Scope of Employee IP Assignment Agreements.” The memo examines the new Section 203-f of the New York Labor Law recently signed by Governor Hochul, which renders unenforceable assignment provisions with respect to certain inventions in employment agreements. The memo outlines what types of agreements the law renders unenforceable, its exceptions, the consequences of violating the law, notice requirements and next steps for employers to consider.
Accolades
September 25, 2023
On September 22, 2023, Cravath partners Eric W. Hilfers, Amanda Hines Gold, Jonathan J. Katz and Matthew J. Bobby were named to Lawdragon’s 2024 list of “500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers” in recognition of their work advising clients on executive compensation and benefits matters. The list recognizes the “unsurpassed experts who try to keep the balance between Corporate America and its workers.”
Jonathan J. Katz advises clients on a wide range of executive compensation and human resource‑related matters. His transactional practice involves advising on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, spin‑offs, joint ventures and private equity transactions. He also regularly counsels both corporate and individual clients on the design, negotiation and implementation of employment agreements and incentive compensation programs. Additionally, Mr. Katz handles securities law compliance matters relating to executive compensation, including new and evolving regulatory matters, such as clawback rules, pay vs. performance disclosure and related matters. Mr. Katz has represented numerous founders and high‑profile executives in compensation‑related matters.
Mr. Katz’s clients have included Ashland, Atlas Air, Banco Santander, BDT Capital Partners, Biogen, Brookfield, Canadian National Railway, Daily Mail, Disney, Eurazeo, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Kenvue, Kraft Heinz, Lindsay Goldberg, Northrop Grumman, Novartis, Robinhood, Time Warner, Unilever, US Foods, Valvoline and Viatris.
Mr. Katz’s notable transactions include representing:
Mr. Katz has been recognized for his work in the employee benefits and executive compensation area by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US and Super Lawyers. In 2019, he was named a “Rising Star” by Law360, recognizing him as one of five outstanding benefits lawyers in the nation under the age of 40. He has also been named by Lawdragon as one of “500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers” and has been listed as a Top Employment Lawyer in North America by MergerLinks.
Mr. Katz is a recipient of the James H. Fogelson Emerging Leadership Award from the UJA-Federation of New York.
Mr. Katz was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received a B.S. from Cornell University in 2003, a J.D. summa cum laude from Cardozo School of Law in 2007, where he was Notes Editor of the Law Review, and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law in 2013.
Mr. Katz joined Cravath in 2007 and was elected a partner in 2015. He is Co‑Chair of the Diversity Committee.
Mr. Katz’s clients have included Ashland, Atlas Air, Banco Santander, BDT Capital Partners, Biogen, Brookfield, Canadian National Railway, Daily Mail, Disney, Eurazeo, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Kenvue, Kraft Heinz, Lindsay Goldberg, Northrop Grumman, Novartis, Robinhood, Time Warner, Unilever, US Foods, Valvoline and Viatris.
Mr. Katz’s notable transactions include representing:
Mr. Katz has been recognized for his work in the employee benefits and executive compensation area by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US and Super Lawyers. In 2019, he was named a “Rising Star” by Law360, recognizing him as one of five outstanding benefits lawyers in the nation under the age of 40. He has also been named by Lawdragon as one of “500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers” and has been listed as a Top Employment Lawyer in North America by MergerLinks.
Mr. Katz is a recipient of the James H. Fogelson Emerging Leadership Award from the UJA-Federation of New York.
Mr. Katz was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received a B.S. from Cornell University in 2003, a J.D. summa cum laude from Cardozo School of Law in 2007, where he was Notes Editor of the Law Review, and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law in 2013.
Mr. Katz joined Cravath in 2007 and was elected a partner in 2015. He is Co‑Chair of the Diversity Committee.
International Bar Association
Law360
Chambers USA
Law360
Lawdragon
The Legal 500 US
MergerLinks
Super Lawyers ‑ Rising Stars ‑ New York
James H. Fogelson Emerging Leadership Award, UJA-Federation of New York, 2023
Deals & Cases
April 04, 2024
On April 3, 2024, The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”) announced that, based on the tabulation of its proxy solicitor, it appears that Disney’s full slate of 12 directors has been elected by a substantial margin over the nominees of Trian and Blackwells at Disney’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Cravath is representing Disney in connection with this matter.
Deals & Cases
March 21, 2024
Cravath represented ODDITY Tech Ltd. (“ODDITY”) in connection with the $239 million registered secondary offering of ODDITY’s class A ordinary shares by a fund managed by L Catterton. ODDITY is a consumer tech company that builds and scales digital‑first brands for the beauty and wellness industries in the United States and internationally. ODDITY owns IL MAKIAGE and SpoiledChild. The shares were listed on the NASDAQ Global Market. The transaction closed on March 19, 2024.
Deals & Cases
February 28, 2024
On February 28, 2024, Viatris Inc. (“Viatris”), a global healthcare company, and Idorsia Ltd (“Idorsia”) announced they have entered into agreements for a significant global research and development collaboration under which Viatris will receive exclusive global development and commercialization rights to two Phase 3 assets as well as the potential to add additional innovative assets in the future.
Deals & Cases
February 12, 2024
On February 12, 2024, CymaBay Therapeutics (“CymaBay”) and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (“Gilead”) announced a definitive agreement under which Gilead will acquire CymaBay for $32.50 per share in cash or a total equity value of $4.3 billion. The addition of CymaBay’s investigational lead product candidate, seladelpar for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis, complements Gilead’s existing liver portfolio and aligns with its longstanding commitment to bringing transformational medicines to patients. Cravath is representing CymaBay in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
January 25, 2024
On January 18, 2024, IBM announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire application modernization capabilities from Advanced, bringing a combination of talent, tools and knowledge to enhance IBM Consulting’s mainframe application and data modernization services. Cravath is representing IBM in connection with the transaction.
Activities & Publications
May 06, 2024
On April 22, 2024, Tax Notes State published an article written by Cravath partners J. Leonard Teti II and Jonathan J. Katz entitled “Ohtani: State Tax Planning Potential of Deferred Compensation.” The article examines how Shohei Ohtani’s record‑breaking contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers highlights a very typical deferred compensation state planning opportunity on a grand scale and discusses the potential of similar structures in the corporate setting.
Activities & Publications
April 25, 2024
On April 25, 2024, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “FTC Adopts Rule “Banning” Non‑Compete Clauses with Workers.” The memo examines the Federal Trade Commission’s recently adopted final rule broadly deeming non‑compete clauses with “workers” to be an “unfair method of competition” under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The memo outlines how the final rule does not necessarily constitute a ban on non‑compete clauses, potential legal challenges to the final rule and expected future enforcement. The memo concludes with recommendations for companies to consider to ensure they are in position to adapt to the changing landscape.
Activities & Publications
December 08, 2023
Cravath partners Jonathan J. Katz and Michael L. Arnold participated in the International Bar Association’s 8th Annual Corporate Governance Conference, which was held from December 7‑8, 2023, in Frankfurt, Germany.
Activities & Publications
November 13, 2023
On November 7, 2023, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “New York Passes Law Restricting Scope of Employee IP Assignment Agreements.” The memo examines the new Section 203-f of the New York Labor Law recently signed by Governor Hochul, which renders unenforceable assignment provisions with respect to certain inventions in employment agreements. The memo outlines what types of agreements the law renders unenforceable, its exceptions, the consequences of violating the law, notice requirements and next steps for employers to consider.
Accolades
September 25, 2023
On September 22, 2023, Cravath partners Eric W. Hilfers, Amanda Hines Gold, Jonathan J. Katz and Matthew J. Bobby were named to Lawdragon’s 2024 list of “500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers” in recognition of their work advising clients on executive compensation and benefits matters. The list recognizes the “unsurpassed experts who try to keep the balance between Corporate America and its workers.”
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