Joseph M. Yaffe is head of Skadden’s Palo Alto office. He counsels senior executives, high-net-worth individuals, public and private companies, boards of directors, private equity firms and family offices on their most complex matters. His broad practice includes advising on corporate governance, tax, securities and employment issues arising in a wide variety of compensatory arrangements.
Yaffe regularly handles the executive compensation aspects of some of the world’s largest M&A transactions, spin-offs and other business combinations in a range of industries, including technology, media and entertainment, retail, medical technology and biotechnology.
Yaffe often represents companies’ senior employees and has advised numerous high-profile business leaders in Silicon Valley and nationwide.
Yaffe also advises on tax-qualified plan issues, including issues relating to 401(k) and 403(b) plans, and represents clients in negotiations with the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor regarding compliance issues under the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA.
Lawdragon Honors
| Honor | Year | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Dealmakers in America | 2026 | Executive Compensation & Benefits |
| 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 |
| Lawdragon Releases Latest Guide to the Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers in America | 2022 | Executive Compensation & Benefits |
| Lawdragon's Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers of America | 2021 | Executive Compensation & Benefits |
| Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers | 2020 | Executive Compensation & Benefits |
Yaffe is widely recognized as one of the country’s leading compensation and benefits attorneys.
Yaffe is a member of Skadden’s Policy and Investment Partnership committees, and also serves as chair of the firm’s Financial Oversight & Audit Committee. He speaks and writes frequently on tax, benefits and compensation matters, including on corporate governance and executive compensation issues and trends. Yaffe also is the author of the chapter on “Stock Options” in the book Start-Up & Emerging Companies: Planning, Financing, and Operating the Successful Business. In addition, Mr. Yaffe is a key contributor to Skadden client alerts and other publications, including the firm’s annual Compensation Committee Handbook.