About Mitchel C. Pahl

Navigating the complexities caused by today's increased government regulation and oversight in the areas of executive compensation and employee benefits is critical for today’s businesses. Those complexities create both challenges and opportunities for businesses in designing and operating effective compensation and benefit arrangements. That's why public companies, financial institutions, government institutions, private equity groups and high-net-worth individuals turn to Katten partner Mitchel Pahl.

Tailoring solutions to meet the needs of each client's business

Mitch's deep experience in the areas of executive compensation and benefits extends to both tax and ERISA, and includes matters relating to M&A and other corporate transactions, tax-qualified and nonqualified plans (including defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans and union multiemployer plans), Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), private equity, legal and regulatory compliance, nonprofit benefits, and special issues connected with globally mobile executives. His wide-ranging industry experience includes such diverse fields as technology, financial services, pharmaceuticals, real estate, energy, banking, retail, health care, and food and beverage.

Mitch's private equity experience focuses on ERISA Title I matters — investment vehicle and fund formation and operation — as well as the tax, employment and other issues raised by upper-tier management compensation arrangements maintained by partners and LLCs. This allows Mitch to provide comprehensive counseling to clients in connection with their day-to-day business activities and also their in-house operations.

Throughout his career, Mitch has been involved in numerous high-profile corporate transactions, many of which raised cutting-edge compliance issues involving employee benefits and executive compensation. Mitch is also widely recognized for his work relating to global executive compensation matters. He has worked with clients in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North, South, and Central America.

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News

Publications

Presentations and Events

  • March 29, 2023
    Family Office Compensation and Talent: 2023 Trends and Planning (New York)
  • October 20, 2022
    2022 Crypto with Katten Annual Symposium
  • September 23, 2014
    An Opportune Time to Revisit Your Severance Checklist
    Moderator and Panelist
  • June 23, 2014
    New Developments in Pension Fund Investment Regulation
    Panelist
  • May 6, 2014
    Affordable Care Act Developments – 2014
    Speaker
  • January 10, 2013
    University Club of Mexico Conference
    Speaker | FATCA Obligations Under The Mexico-U.S. Intergovernmental Agreement
  • November 8–9, 2012
    FATCA for Trustees, 4th Trustee Meeting
    Panelist | Mexico–United States: A Commercial Link
  • August 30, 2012
    STEP Mexico Video Conference
    Panelist | An Overview of U.S. Tax Compliance Issues and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)
  • April 2012
    American College of Investment Counsel, 2012 Annual Spring Investment Forum
    Panelist | ERISA – The Topic No Candidate Wants to Discuss
  • View All Presentations and Events
Practices
Industries
Education
  • Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, JD
  • New York University School of Law, LLM (Taxation)
  • The City University of New York, BA
Bar Admissions
  • New York
Community Involvements
  • Cardozo Law Review, Managing Editor ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits, Member
  • ABA Subcommittee on Continuing Legal Education, Former Member
  • ABA Business Law Section Subcommittee on International Executive Compensation, Former Chair
  • Pace University Lubin School of Business, Former Adjunct Professor
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • Best Lawyers in America
    Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2010–2025
  • Super Lawyers
    New York, 2021-2024
Award Methodologies