Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Taft’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) practice regularly advises business owners and companies in ESOPs by drawing on the expertise of finance, employment, lending, estate planning, and especially merger and acquisitions. Since 1973, ESOPs have enabled companies to increase their flexibility toward financial, structural, and tax-related benefits while enabling comprehensive, exit-planning options. ESOPs are particularly important in accomplishing business succession plans, estate planning, and employee benefits and incentives which provide tax-advantaged benefits to business owners and the company. While ESOPs present issues in mergers and acquisitions that are not present in typical transactions, Taft provides guidance to their clients to eliminate any complex barriers and expedite the closing of the acquisition efficiently.