Biography
Valerie Diamond, Partner, Baker & McKenzie, LLP
Ms. Diamond focuses on the areas of global equity compensation and employee benefits. She assists companies in the design and implementation of international employee stock plans. She provides advice to clients on the tax, securities law and exchange control compliance issues that arise when options, restricted stock or purchase rights are granted to employees working abroad. Recent projects include all employee option grants to employees in 35 countries, a tax audit of equity programs in 15 countries and implementation of a employee stock purchase plan in 65 countries. Ms. Diamond has also assisted clients in meeting international compliance obligations relating to the repricing of options and option exchange programs, the creation of data privacy waivers, the grant of stock options to expatriates and the issuance of restricted stock.
Ms. Diamond is a frequent speaker on international equity issues. Recent publications on equity topics include an article for The Bureau of National Affair, Inc. entitled "The Global Side of Option Exchange Programs" and Workspan magazine entitled, “Global Plan Design and Compliance Strategies for ESPPs.”
Ms. Diamond was elected by The Daily Journal, a leading publication serving both Norther and Southern California, as one of the state's top women lawyers for 2011 and 2012.
Ms. Diamond received her J.D. in 1993 from the University of San Francisco School of Law where she received the Dean’s Award for highest grade point average in her class, was a Comment’s Editor for USF Law Review and is the Chair of the CEPI Advisory Board and a member of the Advisory Committee of the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals. Ms. Diamond is admitted to practice in California.
