Jesse J. Gelsomini

Named the 2021 "Lawyer of the Year" in the Houston metropolitan area for employee benefits (ERISA) law by Best Lawyers (Woodward/White, Inc.), Jesse Gelsomini helps clients in all industries efficiently resolve matters related to employee benefits, ERISA, and executive compensation. He brings over three decades of focused legal experience to his work designing, drafting, implementing, and administering tax-qualified pension, 401(k), profit sharing, ESOP, and stock bonus plans.

A former CPA with a “Big Four” firm, Jesse has a strong tax background and understands his clients’ business needs. He provides time-sensitive, practical legal advice in the areas of health care and other types of employee welfare benefit plans, as well as stock option, restricted stock, golden parachute and other incentive compensation, and equity arrangements.

Jesse’s clients range in size from privately owned businesses to governmental employers to Fortune 500 corporations. His work includes:

• Representing clients in investigations and other compliance matters involving the IRS, Department of Labor, and other governmental agencies
• Handling regulatory issues under applicable laws, including ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, HIPAA, COBRA, and state laws
• Providing legal advice on such issues as fiduciary responsibility requirements, tax effects, disclosure, and other compliance matters
• Handling all aspects of benefit plans and executive compensation arrangements that arise in conjunction with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other business transactions
• Advising on litigation matters that involve benefit plans
• Representing both employers and executives with employment contracts and incentive arrangements
• Providing counsel regarding employment law considerations
• Advising companies which are non-subscribers to the Texas Workers' Compensation Act

Jesse is a contributor to the firm’s Practical Benefits Lawyer blog, which discusses issues and developments in all areas of employee benefits and executive compensation. He also serves on the board of trustees of the United Way of Greater Houston.