Overview

Stephen Jacobson is an executive compensation partner in the Houston and New York offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He advises public and private companies, private equity firms and their portfolio companies on a broad spectrum of employment, executive compensation and employee benefit matters, including those arising in connection with mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, private equity investments, initial public offerings and restructurings.

Stephen regularly counsels clients on the design and implementation of equity and cash-based incentive plans, as well as the associated tax, securities law, corporate governance and disclosure considerations.

Stephen also represents clients in negotiating employment agreements, separation arrangements and incentive compensation packages.

Clients have described Stephen as an “outstanding lawyer" who is “client-focused,” “very practical” and able to “deal with sticky situations.” He has been recognized in Chambers USA, The Legal 500 U.S. and Lawdragon, where clients praise him for being “extremely knowledgeable in what is a very nuanced and complex area,” possessing “a great business mind” and being “especially formidable in M&A.”

More

Recognition

The Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2024–2027; “Lawyer of the Year” (Houston), Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2026

Chambers USA, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation (Texas: Houston & Surrounds), 2021–2026

The Legal 500 U.S., Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation and Retirement Plans (Transactional), 2016, 2018–2021, 2023–2024

Lawdragon, “500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers,” 2022–2026

Law360, Rising Star, 2019

Certified Public Accountant, State of Texas

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • Texas
  • New York

Education

  • Tulane University Law SchoolJ.D.cum laude2007
  • Tulane University A.B. Freeman School of BusinessB.S., Accountingsumma cum laude2004