Four Decades for Justice
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
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.
Deals & Cases
December 18, 2023
On December 18, 2023, ZimVie Inc. (“ZimVie”), a global life sciences leader in the dental and spine markets, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its spine business to H.I.G. Capital, a leading global alternative investment firm. Under the terms of the agreement, upon the closing of the transaction, ZimVie will receive $375 million in total consideration, comprised of $315 million in cash, subject to certain customary adjustments as set forth in the agreement, and $60 million in the form of a promissory note that will accrue interest at a rate of 10% per annum, compounded semi‑annually, payable in kind. Cravath is representing ZimVie in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
November 30, 2023
Cravath represented the administrative agent, sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner in connection with a £375 million term loan facility made available to Mars, Incorporated to finance the recommended acquisition of Hotel Chocolat Group plc. Mars, Incorporated is one of the world’s largest privately-held, family-owned businesses with a history of successfully building and growing market-leading consumer brands for over 100 years. The transaction closed on November 16, 2023.
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.”
Podcasts
September 12, 2023
Jon Katz is a partner in the Executive Compensation and Benefits Department at Cravath who started his career as a tax associate at the Firm. In the Season 6 premiere of On Tax, he and fellow Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about working together as associates on large transactions. Jon also discusses the unexpected conversation that led him to join the Firm’s Executive Compensation and Benefits Department, and the advice he offers law students.
Activities & Publications
June 26, 2023
On June 23, 2023, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “NYS Assembly Passes Bill Banning Post‑Employment Covenants Not To Compete.” The memo examines Assembly Bill A1278B, which was passed by the New York State Assembly on June 20, 2023, a version having previously been passed by the New York State Senate, and which provides for a broad ban on post‑employment noncompete restrictions. If the bill is signed into law, New York will join California as one of the most restrictive states in the U.S. with respect to post‑employment covenants not to compete. The memo outlines the types of agreements the bill bans, who is considered a covered individual, the exceptions the bill includes and the consequences for violating the law.
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
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.
Deals & Cases
December 18, 2023
On December 18, 2023, ZimVie Inc. (“ZimVie”), a global life sciences leader in the dental and spine markets, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its spine business to H.I.G. Capital, a leading global alternative investment firm. Under the terms of the agreement, upon the closing of the transaction, ZimVie will receive $375 million in total consideration, comprised of $315 million in cash, subject to certain customary adjustments as set forth in the agreement, and $60 million in the form of a promissory note that will accrue interest at a rate of 10% per annum, compounded semi‑annually, payable in kind. Cravath is representing ZimVie in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
November 30, 2023
Cravath represented the administrative agent, sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner in connection with a £375 million term loan facility made available to Mars, Incorporated to finance the recommended acquisition of Hotel Chocolat Group plc. Mars, Incorporated is one of the world’s largest privately-held, family-owned businesses with a history of successfully building and growing market-leading consumer brands for over 100 years. The transaction closed on November 16, 2023.
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.”
Podcasts
September 12, 2023
Jon Katz is a partner in the Executive Compensation and Benefits Department at Cravath who started his career as a tax associate at the Firm. In the Season 6 premiere of On Tax, he and fellow Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about working together as associates on large transactions. Jon also discusses the unexpected conversation that led him to join the Firm’s Executive Compensation and Benefits Department, and the advice he offers law students.
Activities & Publications
June 26, 2023
On June 23, 2023, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “NYS Assembly Passes Bill Banning Post‑Employment Covenants Not To Compete.” The memo examines Assembly Bill A1278B, which was passed by the New York State Assembly on June 20, 2023, a version having previously been passed by the New York State Senate, and which provides for a broad ban on post‑employment noncompete restrictions. If the bill is signed into law, New York will join California as one of the most restrictive states in the U.S. with respect to post‑employment covenants not to compete. The memo outlines the types of agreements the bill bans, who is considered a covered individual, the exceptions the bill includes and the consequences for violating the law.
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