Joseph Yaffe
As head of the Executive Compensation and Benefits Group in Skadden's Palo Alto office, Joseph M. Yaffe handles tax and securities law matters arising in equity compensation arrangements and employee benefits issues in corporate transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions. His experience includes representing companies from the biotechnology, entertainment, Internet, medical supply, retail and software industries. He also counsels senior executives at companies throughout the country in connection with executive compensation matters.
Mr. Yaffe advises on tax-qualified plan issues, including issues relating to 401(k) and 403(b) plans. In addition, he represents clients in negotiations with the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor regarding compliance issues under the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA.
He frequently lectures on tax, benefits and compensation matters, including equity compensation issues for emerging growth companies and tax-qualified plan issues.
Mr. Yaffe is ranked by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business and The Legal 500: U.S. Guide as one of the country's leading benefits and compensation attorneys. Before joining Skadden in September 2009, he was a partner at another global law firm, where he served as chairman of the tax department for the firm's Silicon Valley office.
Bar Admissions
California
Education
J.D., University of California, Davis School of Law, 1994, Law Review
A.B., Columbia University, 1990