Willkie Adds Executive Compensation and Benefits Partner Jason Loden in Dallas

May 4, 2026

New York, NY (May 4, 2026) - Willkie Farr & Gallagher today announced that Jason Loden has joined the Firm as a partner in its Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Department. He is based in Willkie's Dallas office.

Jason advises public and private companies, private equity funds and nonprofit entities on a wide range of executive compensation, employee benefits and tax matters. He regularly provides counsel to employers on the implementation and administration of employee benefit plans, such as qualified retirement plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, equity incentive plans, and welfare benefit programs. He advises on employee benefit and executive compensation issues in mergers and acquisitions, and provides regulatory guidance on compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and related regulatory requirements.

"Jason is an outstanding addition to our nationally recognized executive compensation and employee benefits practice and his arrival extends those capabilities to our growing Texas platform," said Michael Katz, Co-Chair of Willkie's Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Department. "He brings deep experience advising public and private companies on sophisticated compensation and benefits matters, including in the context of complex transactions. Jason's technical knowledge and practical approach will further strengthen our ability to deliver integrated, high-value counsel to clients across our global network."

Jason has been recognized by leading legal directories and publications for his work. He was previously a partner at Baker Botts, where he served as firmwide Chair of the Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits section.

Holt Foster, Managing Partner of the Dallas office, commented: "Our Dallas office has seen tremendous expansion across several transactional practice areas. We are delighted to welcome Jason to the team and further build on that growth. Having previously been law partners with Jason, I know him to be a highly sought-after and skilled executive compensation and employee benefits attorney. Adding Jason to the team will further round out the comprehensive legal services we provide to our clients on corporate and transactional matters."

Jason commented: "Willkie's premier transactional platform, strong corporate and private equity practices and growing presence in Texas create an exceptional environment for the next phase of my practice. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across the firm to help clients navigate the increasingly complex executive compensation and employee benefits landscape."

Willkie's Dallas office was launched in May 2024 and extends the Firm's preeminent private equity, M&A, finance and asset management practices to a diverse array of clients located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area as well as nationwide. Our team advises on corporate transactions, private equity, finance, restructuring, tax, executive compensation and employee benefits, and other transactional and regulatory matters, and has significant experience in the energy, infrastructure, industrial, manufacturing, aviation, automotive, chemicals, banking, real estate, technology and retail sectors.

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Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provides leading-edge legal solutions on complex, business critical issues spanning markets and industries. Our approximately 1,300 attorneys across 16 offices worldwide deliver innovative, pragmatic and sophisticated legal services across approximately 45 practice areas. Learn more at https://www.willkie.com.