About Gerald
Gerald Audant is a partner at Fenwick & West LLP, a law firm specializing in corporate law, located in San Francisco, California. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 2002, holding, and his license is currently active. ([apps.calbar.ca.gov](https://apps.calbar.ca.gov/attorney/Licensee/Detail/221125?utm_source=openai))
Mr. Audant earned his Juris Doctor degree from The George Washington University Law School in 2001, where he graduated with honors and served as a Dean's Fellow. He completed his undergraduate studies at Wesleyan University, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Government in 1993. ([lawyers.justia.com](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/gerald-audant-46960?utm_source=openai))
His practice focuses on the employee benefit aspects of corporate transactions and the design, implementation, and operation of equity compensation for both established and emerging companies. He advises clients on structuring equity compensation arrangements, including employee stock options, restricted stock, RSUs, and SARs, as well as employment agreements, deferred compensation, and other fringe benefit arrangements. Mr. Audant also negotiates employment agreements and termination packages for employers and management and provides guidance on compliance with Section 409A and 280G matters, along with other state and federal laws related to executive compensation and employee benefits. ([fenwick.com](https://www.fenwick.com/people/gerald-audant?utm_source=openai))
Before joining Fenwick & West, Mr. Audant was an associate at a prestigious multinational law firm and an Am Law 200 law firm based in Palo Alto. He has represented clients such as Agilent Technologies, Cisco Systems, Facebook, Intuit, NVIDIA, Redfin, ServiceNow, and Synopsys in various corporate transactions. ([fenwick.com](https://www.fenwick.com/people/gerald-audant?utm_source=openai)) His experience includes handling mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, and other corporate matters.
Mr. Audant is an active member of the California State Bar and has been recognized for his contributions to diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. He co-chairs Fenwick & West's Diversity & Inclusion Committee and has been instrumental in the firm's efforts to create an open and accepting environment that attracts individuals from diverse backgrounds. ([fenwick.com](https://www.fenwick.com/insights/our-news/fenwick-recognized-again-as-top-law-firm-for-diversity?utm_source=openai))
