Greg Gautam, Partner at our Phoenix law office
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Greg Gautam

Partner
Biography

Greg Gautam is a transactional partner that focuses his practice on various areas of employee benefits, including the design of executive compensation programs, qualified retirement plans, and health and welfare plans. A significant portion of Greg’s time is spent advising clients on the benefits and compensation issues that arise in a wide array of complex corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, private equity and venture capital transactions, equity and debt financing, and recapitalizations. Greg uses his knowledge of employee benefits laws, regulations, and the Internal Revenue Code to assist clients in achieving their human capital and compensation objectives.

Greg drafts deferred compensation, qualified retirement savings, and welfare benefit plans as well as counsels clients with regard to the administration and compliance of such plans with the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA. In the executive compensation area, he represents public and private companies in connection with negotiating and drafting employment agreements, stock option, and other equity plans and awards, change in control agreements, severance agreements, and other compensation arrangements, including Section 409A compliance and corrections. Greg advises on best practices and new developments in executive compensation, and, in collaboration with his corporate colleagues, counsels on governance and disclosure issues impacting his public company clients.

In connection with mergers and acquisitions, Greg analyzes compensation and benefits issues, including Section 280G golden parachute excise tax issues, negotiates key benefits terms and conditions and drafts and negotiates transaction representations and warranties and transaction provisions involving employee plan compliance, benefit plan liability, severance obligations, and COBRA obligations.

Finally, Greg represents individual executives and entire management teams in connection with the negotiation, drafting, and design of their executive compensation arrangements, including employment and consulting agreements, change in control agreements, equity and phantom equity arrangements, retention arrangements, and separation packages.

Greg is an immediate past co-chair of Snell & Wilmer’s Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and serves as a member of the firm’s Attorney Development Committee.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona


Education

  • Washington University School of Law (J.D.)
  • University of Wisconsin (B.S., Political Science)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Employment Law – Management (2023-2025); Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2025)
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business®, Employee Benefits (2022-2023)
  • State Bar of Arizona Member of the Year Award (2020)
  • Lawyers of Color, Nation’s Best List (2019)
  • 40 Under 40, Phoenix Business Journal (2019)
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars Edition, Employee Benefits (2014-2022, 2024)
  • 20 Influential Millennials Working in Arizona, AZ Big Media (2017)
  • Arizona’s Finest Lawyers

Previous Professional Experience

  • United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin, Law Clerk
  • UOP LLC, a Honeywell Company, Intern
  • University of Chicago Hospital, Intern

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Fellow (2021)
  • National Association of Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP), Industry Advisor (2018-Present)
  • State Bar of Arizona
    • Young Lawyers Division, Executive Board (2011-2013)
    • Minority Bar Convention: “The Power of Inclusion,” Co-Chair (2012)
    • Committee on Minorities and Women in the Law (2008-Present)
      • Law School Outreach Subcommittee Chair (2012-2015)
    • Diversity Legal Writing Program, Co-Coordinator (2015-2018)
    • Diversity Legal Writing Program, Lead-Coordinator (2018-Present)
  • Arizona Attorney Magazine, Editorial Board (2014-2018)
  • Maricopa County Bar Association
  • Western Pension and Benefits Conference, Phoenix Chapter
  • South Asian Bar Association – Arizona
    • Executive Board (2016-Present), President (2019-2021)

Community Involvement

  • Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Advisory Board and Philanthropic Council Member (2024-Present)
  • Teach for America, Phoenix Regional Board of Directors (2018-Present)
    • Nominating and Governance Committee (2018-Present)
  • Teach for America, Phoenix Associate Board of Directors (2014-2018)
    • President (2016-2017)
    • Vice President and Recruiting Chair (2015-2016)
  • Washington University Alumni & Parents Admission Program, Phoenix Committee Member (2013-2016)
  • Diversity Leadership Alliance Youth Mentoring Program, Mentor (2009-2011)
  • VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), Firm Coordinator and Volunteer (2010-2018)
  • Volunteer Lawyers Program (2008-Present)

Representative Presentations and Publications

Client News
Client News
Nov 26, 2024

Snell & Wilmer Represents Dassian in Acquisition by Omegro

Client News
Nov 04, 2024

Snell & Wilmer Represents Keap in Sale to Thryv Holdings, Inc.

Client News
Oct 11, 2024

Snell & Wilmer Advises Blueprint Equity as it Leads $7 Million Series A Financing of CYRISMA

Client News
Jul 09, 2024

Snell & Wilmer Represents Vizzia Technologies in Sale to HID