Overview
Leigh Riley focuses her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation. In the area of employee benefits, Leigh concentrates on qualified retirement plans, including 401(k) and defined benefit pension plans. In the area of executive compensation, she counsels both private and public companies on establishing and administering all types of executive compensation programs, including stock options, restricted stock, phantom stock arrangements, nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, and executive employment agreements. Leigh also routinely works on the benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions, both on the buy- and sell-side.
Leigh is a member of the firm's Management Committee. She is also a partner in the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice and the Insurance & Reinsurance and Automotive Industry Teams, and she serves as legal counsel to the Firm with respect to its benefit plans. She also is a member of the firm’s Best Self Committee, with provides programs and information to help each individual working at Foley achieve their personal and professional success.
Leigh is the former vice chair of the firm’s Business Law Department and former chair of the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Practice.
Leigh joined the firm in 1997 after practicing with the Philadelphia firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.
Recognition
- Recognized in Chambers USA for Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation (2017-2023)
- Selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2007 - 2023)
- Named the 2013, 2017, and 2023 “Milwaukee Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers
- Recognized as one of Wisconsin Law Journal’s "Women in the Law" for her achievement of excellence in employee benefits and executive compensation law, and for her positive influence on other women pursuing legal careers, encouraging women to seek advanced opportunities within the profession (2012)
Education
- University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., magna cum laude, 1995)
- Texas Christian University (B.A., 1991)
Admissions
- Wisconsin