Overview
Melissa Grim is the leader of the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group. Melissa advises clients in connection with a wide range of employee benefits and executive compensation-related matters, including the employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of corporate transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, divestitures, carve-outs, restructuring and ESOP transactions. She regularly counsels clients on the design, structuring, implementation, and ongoing administration of defined benefit and defined contribution (qualified and nonqualified) retirement plans, health and welfare plans, equity plans, and other benefit and compensation arrangements. She also represents clients in handling and negotiating inquiries, audits, investigations and assessments, advisory or other ruling requests, and voluntary compliance correction matters with the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
In the context of corporate transactions, Melissa is typically the main point of contact for clients with respect to all of the employee benefits, executive compensation and human capital aspects of the transaction. Her approach is centered around creating value for the client in each phase of the transaction - by conducting due diligence, negotiating deal terms, navigating transition and integration issues, and advising on post-closing matters with a focus on achieving consistency, driving efficiency, and understanding her clients’ goals for the “people aspects” of every deal.
Services
Experience
Prior Experience
- Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Partner (and previously, Of Counsel and Associate)
- Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Senior Associate
- McGuireWoods LLP, Associate
Clerkships
- Judicial Extern, Honorable William J. Bauer, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Credentials
Education
- magna cum laude
Admissions
- Illinois
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Recognition
Awards
The Best Lawyers in America
- Recognized in the practice area of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2023