Share Plan Lawyers is an informal group for lawyers in law firms advising on executive and employee share plans.
SPL's aims are to provide
- A forum for exchanging views and experiences on legal issues affecting executive and employee share plans;
- Training for lawyers at all levels practising in the area;
- Advocating on behalf of our members and their clients, on issues affecting executive and employee share plans, and working with regulators to help shape regulation.
Our history
The Share Plan Lawyers group was formed by David Cohen in 1986 who brought together leading lawyers at the time, by the early 90s the Share Plan Lawyers had a well-established executive committee comprising David Cohen (Paisners), Janet Cooper OBE (Linklaters), Simon Evans (Freshfields), Michael Jacobs (Nicholson Graham and Jones), Patrick Moon (Nabarro) and Louise Whitewright (Lovells). Further appointments to the board included Victoria Nichols (Travers Smith), Joycelyn Mitchell (Herbert Smith then Freshfields).
Employee share plans was a new practice area and the group was formed to share and support each other, and working with HMRC and the regulators, to develop good practice. The tradition of contribution and collaboration continues in sharing best practice and working together on the committees and projects as well as the many training events throughout the year.
We are grateful to the lawyers who have served on the executive board over many years
We have included the people who have served over 5 years:
David Cohen (Paisners and Norton Rose) 1986 – 2013
Patrick Moon (Nabarros) 1989 - 1998
Michael Jacobs (Nicholson Graham & Jones) 1986 – 2004
Simon Evans (Freshfields) 1991 – 2017
Jocelyn Mitchell (Herbert Smith & Freshfields) 1996 - 2019
Jonathan Fenn (Slaughter and May) 1994 – 2020
Victoria Nichols (Travers Smith) 1991- 2006
Louise Whitewright (Hogan Lovells) 1992 - 2016
Our members
The Group has over 300 members representing over 100 law firms as well as specialist counsel and by invitation, academics.
Members include many senior lawyers from all the major City and regional law firms, as well as lawyers new to this area.
Governance
We are established as a members organisation. The constitution is available to members here.
The work of the SPL is led by the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee is supported by 3 committees: