1100 Peachtree Street NE Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA USA 30309
Jennifer Schumacher focuses her practice on executive and equity compensation, qualified retirement plans, and benefit and compensation issues arising in mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, and other business transactions.
Jennifer regularly advises clients on compensation and benefit issues in mergers and acquisitions. She has assisted large public corporations with all benefit and executive compensation issues arising in connection with the spin-off of certain business segments. Jennifer has also represented management teams of several large public companies in negotiating continuing employment arrangements and severance arrangements in connection with the acquisition of their companies by other large public companies.
She regularly assists in the design and implementation of sophisticated executive compensation and deferral programs, equity compensation arrangements, and change in control protections for public, private, and tax-exempt companies of all sizes. Jennifer assists clients with structuring of severance plans and agreements, both for individuals and in connection with larger reductions in force.
She was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law in 2025 and the 17 years immediately preceding. Jennifer was named a Georgia "Super Lawyer" in 2018 and the seven years immediately preceding and a Georgia "Rising Star" in 2008 and 2010 for Employee Benefits/ERISA Law by Super Lawyers magazine. She is AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell.*
Experience
Represented Equifax Inc. in its $1.4 billion acquisition of publicly held TALX corporation for a combination of stock and cash. The transaction was structured as a tax-free reorganization with a unique share buy back structure to prevent share dilution.
Represented CRH plc, the international building materials group, in its acquisition of Ash Grove Cement Company, a leading U.S. cement manufacturer for $3.5 billion.
Advised AT&T Inc. with respect to executive compensation and benefit plan issues in its acquisition of AppNexus, a technology company operating a leading global advertising marketplace that provides enterprise products for digital advertising for publishers, agencies and marketers.
Advised AT&T Inc. with respect to executive compensation and benefit plan issues in its acquisition of AlienVault, an innovative technology and security company.
Represented CRH plc, the international building materials group, in its disposition of its Americas Distribution division to Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. for a total consideration of $2.63 billion in cash.
Advised on the executive compensation and employee benefit aspects of the merger of two office supply companies, a transformational event in the office supply business. After completion of the merger, assisted in consolidating the employee benefit plans and other aspects of the post-merger employee benefits transition.
Advised Acuity Brands Inc., one of the world's leading providers of lighting fixtures, with respect to executive compensation and employee benefit matters in spin off of Zep Inc.
Represented Equifax Inc., one of the United States' largest credit reporting agencies, in all aspects of benefit plans and executive compensation plans related to the $2 billion tax-free spin-off of its payment services business into a new public company, Certegy Inc.
Represented Zodiac Aerospace in its acquisition of C&D Aerospace, an aircraft interiors manufacturer with operations in the United States, Canada, France, Brazil, and Mexico.
Represented Certegy Inc., a major publicly held credit card and check verification company, in its $4.5 billion merger with Fidelity National Information Services Inc. and related special dividend to shareholders. The firm also advised the company on issues regarding executive compensation and employee benefits matters relating to the merger.
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Emory University J.D. (1994) with distinction, Order of the Coif
Rice University B.A. (1991) Economics and Managerial Studies, magna cum laude
Georgia (1994)
State Bar of Georgia, Employee Benefits Law Section, Member, former Co-Chair
National Association of Stock Planning Professionals, Member
Rice University Alumni Volunteer Association
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