Morrison Foerster partner: ‘Compensation approached strategically becomes a bridge'

Crescent Moran Chasteen talks to IFLR about her executive compensation practice. Crescent discusses how the variety of work keeps her engaged and how compensation drives alignment and stability in M&A transactions.

On the most exciting aspect of her role: "It is seeing how well-designed compensation structures can create alignment and momentum at the exact moment a deal could fracture it. M&A is inherently about transition – new ownership, new incentives, sometimes new leadership – and when compensation is approached strategically, it becomes a bridge rather than a flashpoint. I love helping boards and deal teams turn those human-capital complexities into catalysts for getting the deal done."

On M&A executive compensation trends: "A major area of focus continues to be management rollovers and equity participation structures, particularly in sponsor-led deals and carve-outs. Founders and executives are negotiating more sophisticated rollover terms, and sponsors are responding with increased flexibility around liquidity, governance, and post-closing incentive design. It’s a space where deal economics, tax strategy, and human capital all intersect."

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