Photo of Joseph M. Penko

Joseph M. Penko

Partner, Skadden

212-735-2618joseph.penko@skadden.com

One Manhattan West
New York, NY 10001

View Firm Biography

Joe Penko advises public and private companies, private equity firms, real estate investment trusts (REITs), executives and boards on executive compensation and employee benefits matters, with a particular emphasis on issues arising in the context of mergers, acquisitions, initial public offerings and other corporate matters.

Lawdragon Honors

Honor Year Practice
The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers 2026 Executive Compensation & Benefits
The 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers 2025 Executive Compensation & Benefits
The 2024 Lawdragon 500 Corporate Employment Lawyers 2024 Executive Compensation & Benefits

Penko regularly counsels public and private companies, private equity firms, executive management teams and individual executives on the design, implementation and termination of compensation and benefit arrangements, including executive employment and severance agreements; consulting arrangements; retention, severance and change-in-control plans; cash and equity-based incentive programs; and nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

Penko also frequently advises clients regarding tax rules relating to deferred compensation, excise tax on excess parachute payments and limits on the deductibility of executive compensation. He also advises on U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules governing executive compensation disclosure and corporate governance matters.