A woman with blonde hair pulled back, wearing a black top and jacket, smiles at the camera in a brightly lit indoor setting—reflecting the professionalism of lawyers in Chicago specializing in intellectual property law.

Kathleen Dreyfus Bardunias

Partner

Kathleen Dreyfus Bardunias

Partner

Kathleen Dreyfus Bardunias is a partner and business lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP, where she focuses her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation. Kathleen is admitted to practice in New York and Wisconsin.

Kathleen advises public and private employers on tax, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), fiduciary, and securities law issues that arise in the design, implementation and ongoing administration of employee benefit and compensation plans, including 401(k) plans, pension plans, equity and other incentive compensation plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans and employment agreements. She frequently advises clients on compliance issues related to ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code (including qualified retirement plan rules and Code Section 409A), and rules and guidance, including under formal and informal correction programs, from the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor.

Kathleen also advises public and private companies on the employee benefits and executive compensation issues that arise in merger and acquisition transactions.

Kathleen joined the firm in 2016 after practicing with a large law firm in New York.

Presentations and Publications​

  • Kathleen was the assistant editor for the 2016 Cumulative Supplement to ERISA Fiduciary Law, 2d. Edition (Susan P. Serota & Andrew L. Oringer, Ed., Bloomberg BNA 2016). She has co-authored numerous articles regarding recent developments in employee benefits and ERISA law.
November 5, 2025 Deals and Wins

Foley Represents Douglas Dynamics in Acquisition of Venco Venturo Industries Assets

Foley & Lardner LLP served as legal advisor to Douglas Dynamics, Inc. (NYSE: PLOW), North America’s premier manufacturer and upfitter of work truck attachments and equipment, in the acquisition of substantially all assets of Venco Venturo Industries LLC.
November 3, 2025 In the News

Foley Attorneys Explore Growing Enthusiasm for Employee Ownership Stock Plans

Foley & Lardner partners Jonathan Witt, Spencer Moats, and Kathleen Bardunias highlighted the rising interest in employee stock ownership plans (ESOP) in the PlanSponsor article, "ESOP Returns Outpace S&P 500."
October 7, 2025 Foley Viewpoints

The Rising Case for ESOPs: A Powerful and Time-Tested Succession Alternative with Growing Support in Washington and the Private Sector

If you are a business owner, you may be overlooking one of the most powerful and time-tested succession and ownership transition tools...
September 22, 2025 Foley Viewpoints

Benefits Basics – When an Employee is Dismissed: A Resource Guide for HR & Benefits Professionals

When an employee’s employment ends – whether due to a routine layoff, a negotiated separation, or an unexpected termination for-cause –...
September 17, 2025 Deals and Wins

Foley Advises CloserStill Media in Acquisition of Billington Cybersecurity

Foley & Lardner LLP served as legal advisor to CloserStill Media, the producer of market-leading business events, exhibitions and conferences, in its acquisition of leading U.S. public sector cybersecurity conference and event organizer Billington Cybersecurity.
August 20, 2025 Foley Viewpoints

Avoiding M&A Post-Closing Pitfalls: A Buyer’s Guide to ESOP Wind-Downs

Buyers (including private equity firms and their investors) that acquire the stock of a company wholly or partially owned by an employee...