A&O Shearman names John Cannon as global co-head of Compensation, Employment, Pensions, and Governance

A seasoned practitioner, John holds expertise in all aspects of corporate governance, compensation and benefits, including corporate, securities, bankruptcy, employment and tax law compliance, public company advisory, and ERISA. He has extensive experience in Dodd-Frank and Sarbanes-Oxley and corporate advisory in mergers and acquisitions and in representing management teams in private equity transactions. 

John has been a core part of the Compensation, Employment, Pensions, and Governance team for decades, having joined legacy Shearman & Sterling in 1985. Accustomed to dealing with considerable regulatory compliance issues and multiple regulators, John works regularly with the firm’s litigators on advising companies and boards of directors in compensation and workplace litigations and internal investigations.  

Hervé Ekué, managing partner at A&O Shearman, said: “John's collaborative approach, strong moral compass, and extensive experience perfectly positions him to co-lead our global Compensation, Employment, Pensions, and Governance practice. He has a proven track record of serving clients at the highest level in the most critical and sensitive areas in employment, compensation and governance.”

“His deep understanding of these complex fields and dedication to excellence ensure that our clients receive the best possible guidance and support. I’m delighted to co-lead our global practice alongside John,” added Brian Jebb, global co-head of A&O Shearman’s Compensation, Employment, Pensions, and Governance practice. 

“Our global Compensation, Employment, Pensions, and Governance team recognizes the critical need to integrate legal strategies across the world, leveraging our deep understanding of the complexities of both international and domestic law. I’m thrilled to co-lead our outstanding global team alongside Brian, and to continue delivering top-tier counsel to our clients wherever they operate,” said John Cannon, global co-head of A&O Shearman’s Compensation, Employment, Pensions, and Governance practice. 

Recognized consistently by Chambers USA Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation and Legal 500, John frequently lectures at law schools including Harvard University, New York University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Arizona, and University of Colorado.

John currently serves as co-chair of the Advisory Committee for the Salzburg Global Forum on Corporate Governance. He is also an inaugural fellow of the American College of Governance Counsel, a member of the American Law Institute (ALI) and serves as an adviser to the ALI’s Restatement of the Law, Corporate Governance project. John has long been a champion of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, having led several impactful initiatives at the firm.

A&O Shearman’s global Compensation, Employment, Pensions, and Governance practice comprises around 150 specialized lawyers strategically positioned across key markets in the U.S., U.K., Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific.