Francisco (Cisco) Palao-Ricketts is an associate in the Palo Alto office, focusing on employee benefits and compensation matters.
Equity Compensation & Executive Compensation
Cisco advises clients with respect to the design and taxation of equity compensation arrangements, including incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs), profits interests, and phantom equity plans. He assists clients with respect to executive compensation plans and agreements, including employment, severance, change of control, and non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements. In addition, he counsels clients on their reporting and withholding obligations with respect to all types of compensation arrangements.
Retirement Plans
Cisco consults in the design and administration of qualified retirement plans, including 401(k), defined benefit pension, profit sharing, and stock bonus plans. He assists clients with annual 5500 filings and plan limit testing, and advises clients with respect to a wide range of compliance issues. Cisco consults clients regarding correcting operational and documentary failures, and represents clients in IRS voluntary compliance programs.
Health & Welfare Plans
With the new laws governing healthcare and the focus on these plans, Cisco has substantial experience advising employers with regard to their obligations with health, cafeteria, disability, and other welfare-based employee arrangements, including compliance with health laws such as COBRA, HIPAA, and the 2010 health care reform laws.
Transactional Counseling
Given the firm's exemplary transactional practice, Cisco often works with buyers to assess employee liabilities and with buyers and sellers to manage the transition of employees during and after a merger, acquisition, joint venture, spin-off, or similar transaction.
ERISA Litigation
Cisco is experienced in advising on litigation matters arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA).
