Durward JamesGehring
Partner
Employee Benefits
dgehring@seyfarth.com
Jim works with clients to design and implement incentive and benefit programs that attract the most talented executives in an increasingly competitive market.
More About Jim
Properly designing, implementing, and communicating a comprehensive program of incentives and benefits is critical to attracting and retaining talent. Jim has more than 40 years of experience in helping clients find practical, market-driven solutions to the maze of tax, securities, corporate, and other federal and state laws governing such programs.
In addition to representing employers, Jim represents C-suite executives in negotiating their employment and compensation packages. This gives him a unique perspective into the needs and desires of senior executives.
Jim also represents both employers and executives in the negotiation and implementation of executive employment contracts and programs, and advises public, private, and nonprofit employers on the design, implementation, and administration of all types of tax-qualified retirement plans.
In addition to representing employers, Jim represents C-suite executives in negotiating their employment and compensation packages. This gives him a unique perspective into the needs and desires of senior executives.
Jim also represents both employers and executives in the negotiation and implementation of executive employment contracts and programs, and advises public, private, and nonprofit employers on the design, implementation, and administration of all types of tax-qualified retirement plans.
- JD, University of Chicago Law School
Order of the Coif
University of Chicago Law Review - BA, University of Illinois
Magna cum laude
Phi Beta Kappa
The Daily Illini, editor in chief
- Illinois
Blogs
- Assisted a new public client in completely revising their executive compensation structure, including restated equity incentive plan, executive severance plan, and clawback.
- Assisted a Fortune 500 client with an aggressive acquisition program in consolidating and rationalizing all of the executive compensation plans of acquired companies.
- Represented the CEO of a public company in transitioning to a new CEO position, including simultaneously negotiating with both their old and new employers.
Related News & Insights
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
-
Recognition
Aug 18, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2023
-
Recognition
Aug 19, 2021
Seyfarth Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2022
-
Firm News
Jul 26, 2021
Seyfarth Represents Dwyer Instruments in its Sale to Arcline Investment Management
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2021-2024)
- American Bar Association Taxation Section and Employee Benefits Committee
- Chicago Bar Association (Employee Benefits and Federal Taxation Committees, Corporate Tax Division former chair)
- John Marshall Law School Center for Tax Law and Employee Benefits adjunct professor
- "COVID-19 Disaster Relief for the Retirement Side," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 5, 2020)
- "IRS Allows Employees to Donate the Value of PTO for Hurricane Harvey Victims," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 6, 2017)
- Co-Author, “10 Key Ways the Trump Administration May Impact The Way You Do Business in 2017,” Presidential Pulse, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 12, 2016)
- "IRS Moves to Limit De-Risking Lump Sum Distributions," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 13, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Deadline Approaching for Foreign Retirement Plans to Comply with FATCA," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 2, 2014)
- Co-Author, "Supreme Court Holds Severance Pay Subject to FICA," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 26, 2014)
- "IRS Announces Special Procedures for Correcting Overwithholding on Same-Gender Spouse Benefit," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 24, 2013)
- Co-Author, "U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Affects Benefits for Same-Gender Spouses," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 28, 2013)
- Co-Author, “New Commodity Pool Rules May Require Immediate Action by 401(k) Plans,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 21, 2013)
- “Severance Payments and FICA - the Saga Continues,” One Minute Memo , Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 19, 2012)
- Co-Author, “US Supreme Court Ruling Affects Benefits for Same-Gender Spouses,” Employee Benefit Plan Review (September 2013)
- Co-Author, “New Rules Require Disclosure of Foreign Financial Accounts and Foreign Assets: Expats and Inpats Face Severe Penalties for Failure to Disclose Offshore Bank Accounts By June 30,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 28, 2012)
- “Applying Section 409A to Severance Benefits,” Practical Law Company (January 2010)
- "Specified Employees Under IRC Section 409A," Practical Law Company
- "Determining Specified Employees Under Section 409A Checklist," Practical Law Company (January 2010)
- "End of Year Deadline for Section 409A Corrections," Practical Law The Journal (December 4, 2009)
- "Withdrawal Liability Update And Discussion of New PBGC Rulemaking," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 20, 2016)
- Co-Presenter, “Executive Employment Agreements and Equity Based Compensation in Private Equity Transactions,” ACG Chicago (April 9, 2014)
Jim works with clients to design and implement incentive and benefit programs that attract the most talented executives in an increasingly competitive market.
More About Jim
Properly designing, implementing, and communicating a comprehensive program of incentives and benefits is critical to attracting and retaining talent. Jim has more than 40 years of experience in helping clients find practical, market-driven solutions to the maze of tax, securities, corporate, and other federal and state laws governing such programs.
In addition to representing employers, Jim represents C-suite executives in negotiating their employment and compensation packages. This gives him a unique perspective into the needs and desires of senior executives.
Jim also represents both employers and executives in the negotiation and implementation of executive employment contracts and programs, and advises public, private, and nonprofit employers on the design, implementation, and administration of all types of tax-qualified retirement plans.
In addition to representing employers, Jim represents C-suite executives in negotiating their employment and compensation packages. This gives him a unique perspective into the needs and desires of senior executives.
Jim also represents both employers and executives in the negotiation and implementation of executive employment contracts and programs, and advises public, private, and nonprofit employers on the design, implementation, and administration of all types of tax-qualified retirement plans.
- JD, University of Chicago Law School
Order of the Coif
University of Chicago Law Review - BA, University of Illinois
Magna cum laude
Phi Beta Kappa
The Daily Illini, editor in chief
- Illinois
Blogs
- Assisted a new public client in completely revising their executive compensation structure, including restated equity incentive plan, executive severance plan, and clawback.
- Assisted a Fortune 500 client with an aggressive acquisition program in consolidating and rationalizing all of the executive compensation plans of acquired companies.
- Represented the CEO of a public company in transitioning to a new CEO position, including simultaneously negotiating with both their old and new employers.
Related News & Insights
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
-
Recognition
Aug 18, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2023
-
Recognition
Aug 19, 2021
Seyfarth Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2022
-
Firm News
Jul 26, 2021
Seyfarth Represents Dwyer Instruments in its Sale to Arcline Investment Management
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2021-2024)
- American Bar Association Taxation Section and Employee Benefits Committee
- Chicago Bar Association (Employee Benefits and Federal Taxation Committees, Corporate Tax Division former chair)
- John Marshall Law School Center for Tax Law and Employee Benefits adjunct professor
- "COVID-19 Disaster Relief for the Retirement Side," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 5, 2020)
- "IRS Allows Employees to Donate the Value of PTO for Hurricane Harvey Victims," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 6, 2017)
- Co-Author, “10 Key Ways the Trump Administration May Impact The Way You Do Business in 2017,” Presidential Pulse, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 12, 2016)
- "IRS Moves to Limit De-Risking Lump Sum Distributions," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 13, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Deadline Approaching for Foreign Retirement Plans to Comply with FATCA," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 2, 2014)
- Co-Author, "Supreme Court Holds Severance Pay Subject to FICA," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 26, 2014)
- "IRS Announces Special Procedures for Correcting Overwithholding on Same-Gender Spouse Benefit," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 24, 2013)
- Co-Author, "U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Affects Benefits for Same-Gender Spouses," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 28, 2013)
- Co-Author, “New Commodity Pool Rules May Require Immediate Action by 401(k) Plans,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 21, 2013)
- “Severance Payments and FICA - the Saga Continues,” One Minute Memo , Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 19, 2012)
- Co-Author, “US Supreme Court Ruling Affects Benefits for Same-Gender Spouses,” Employee Benefit Plan Review (September 2013)
- Co-Author, “New Rules Require Disclosure of Foreign Financial Accounts and Foreign Assets: Expats and Inpats Face Severe Penalties for Failure to Disclose Offshore Bank Accounts By June 30,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 28, 2012)
- “Applying Section 409A to Severance Benefits,” Practical Law Company (January 2010)
- "Specified Employees Under IRC Section 409A," Practical Law Company
- "Determining Specified Employees Under Section 409A Checklist," Practical Law Company (January 2010)
- "End of Year Deadline for Section 409A Corrections," Practical Law The Journal (December 4, 2009)
- "Withdrawal Liability Update And Discussion of New PBGC Rulemaking," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 20, 2016)
- Co-Presenter, “Executive Employment Agreements and Equity Based Compensation in Private Equity Transactions,” ACG Chicago (April 9, 2014)