Michael Falk

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

4.0 (1 reviews)

Chicago, Illinois

27+ years experience

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Updated: Jan 03, 2026

Contact Information

312-862-2000

https://www.kirkland.com/lawyers/f/falk-michael

333 West Wolf Point Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654

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Bio

Michael Falk is a partner in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Michael advises clients in connection with qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, executive and equity compensation, Code Section 409A, Code Section 280G, and the compensation aspects of mergers and acquisitions. His experience includes assisting clients with the design and implementation of defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, and equity/incentive compensation vehicles.Michael has been praised by clients for his ability to “explain complex issues in a simple and straightforward manner” and for being “extremely thorough and very attentive to detail” in Chambers USA in 2016.Since 2013, he has been recognized as a leading lawyer for employee benefits and executive compensation in The Legal 500 U.S. Clients describe Michael as an “experienced employee benefits attorney who understands clients with no-nonsense” and a “tremendously practical lawyer with good business sense” that has the “technical knowledge of executive compensation issues [that] is incomparable.”He is an adjunct professor of law at Northwestern University Law School, where he teaches Executive Compensation Law. Michael is a frequent speaker and author on a variety of executive compensation and employee benefits topics. His speaking engagements include several presentations to the National Association for Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP), American Benefits Council and Worldwide Employee Benefits (WEB) Network. Michael Falk is a partner in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Michael advises clients in connection with qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, executive and equity compensation, Code Section 409A, Code Section 280G, and the compensation aspects of mergers and acquisitions. His experience includes assisting clients with the design and implementation of defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, and equity/incentive compensation vehicles. Michael has been praised by clients for his ability to “explain complex issues in a simple and straightforward manner” and for being “extremely thorough and very attentive to detail” in Chambers USA in 2016. Since 2013, he has been recognized as a leading lawyer for employee benefits and executive compensation in The Legal 500 U.S. Clients describe Michael as an “experienced employee benefits attorney who understands clients with no-nonsense” and a “tremendously practical lawyer with good business sense” that has the “technical knowledge of executive compensation issues [that] is incomparable.” He is an adjunct professor of law at Northwestern University Law School, where he teaches Executive Compensation Law. Michael is a frequent speaker and author on a variety of executive compensation and employee benefits topics. His speaking engagements include several presentations to the National Association for Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP), American Benefits Council and Worldwide Employee Benefits (WEB) Network.

Practice Areas

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

Awards & Recognition

Recognized: Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020

Education

University of Illinois Chicago, John Marshall Law School, J.D., graduated 1998

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Reviews

Michelle Torres

2 weeks ago

Expert ERISA Guidance for a Complex M&A Transaction

Our company recently engaged Michael Falk of Kirkland & Ellis to navigate the complex employee benefits and executive compensation issues arising from our acquisition of a competitor. The transaction involved integrating multiple 401(k) plans, managing significant non-qualified deferred compensation liabilities, and structuring retention packages for key executives. Michael’s deep, 27-year expertise in this niche area was immediately apparent. He didn't just recite ERISA regulations; he provided strategic, business-minded advice that was crucial for the deal's success. His background, including his recognition in Employee Benefits law, gave our board immense confidence. He and his team meticulously identified risks we hadn't even considered, particularly around equity compensation plan harmonization, and crafted elegant solutions. The one area where we experienced a slight delay was in receiving initial drafts of certain plan amendments; his team is clearly in high demand, which is understandable. While the cost reflects the premium nature of Kirkland's services, the value delivered in protecting us from future litigation and regulatory pitfalls was undeniable. For any Chicago-based company facing high-stakes benefits or executive comp challenges, especially in a transactional context, Michael Falk is an outstanding choice.