Kara Sturtz

Kara Sturtz

Associate

New York

T 646.777.0037

email vcard pdf

Overview

Kara concentrates her practice on executive compensation and employee benefits, advising public and private companies, private equity firms, and executive teams on the design, negotiation, and implementation of sophisticated compensation arrangements. 

She regularly drafts and negotiates employment and severance agreements, equity and incentive compensation plans, and compensation-related provisions in corporate transactions.

Kara counsels boards of directors, compensation committees, and management teams on governance, retention strategies, and regulatory compliance, including the tax and securities implications of executive pay, including Sections 409A, 280G, and other key provisions of the tax code.

Kara is analytical and deeply invested in helping clients understand the full scope of their compensation structures. She works closely with them to evaluate both the legal and business considerations involved in each decision, including how compensation strategies support leadership transitions, corporate growth, and long-term value creation. 

What I Do

Executive Compensation & Benefits

Experience

Advised Alia Software Inc., an AI-powered pop-up and email/SMS list-growth platform for e-commerce merchants, such as Shopify, in its acquisition by Dotdigital Group plc (AIM: DOTD), a global provider of AI-driven customer experience and data platforms.

Key Contacts: Tevin Hopkins Kara Sturtz Adriana BeachEmily L. MorrisonRyan J. WilliamsJennifer L. StapletonRichard F. TracannaJordan M. ZornesSydney E. AllenDaniel S. Marks

Represented MyFitnessPal, a portfolio company of Francisco Partners, in its acquisition of Cal AI, the founder-led AI-powered calorie counting app.

Key Contacts: Anna TerteryanMeghan Cohen Daniel Weil Kara Sturtz Trevor MartinMarc G. PolicastroAdriana BeachAlexa ShookAndrew GlickmanMelissa R. GrimAngela R. GottAlison K. EvansRyan M. KrisbyDuncan H. PoirierPamela CyngierKevin W. HumphriesSean Crowley Ryan T. Sulkin

Advised Currier Plastics in its investment partnership with Sheridan Capital Partners.

Key Contacts: Owen GomezKara Sturtz Nicholas MeyersonMelissa R. GrimShivdutt TrivediRyan J. WilliamsAndrew MurphyMichael K. SwearengenRichard F. TracannaDana B. WeissKelly M. NollH. Alan RothenbuecherMatthew P. DelguydRobert A. MarchantShanae NelsonLaura Mehl SugarmanAslam A. RawoofAlyssa L. RobertsNisha PatelJ. Scott HumphreyChristopher C. RazekDaniel S. MarksJulia RolniakChristina Hultsch

Represented Harbor Global, a portfolio company of BayPine, in its acquisition of Encoretech, a specialized training and user adoption services company focused on the legal sector.

Key Contacts: Natasha Harris Meghan Cohen Kara Sturtz Ashley C. RiceMelissa R. GrimAan AminDouglas DiMedioShivdutt TrivediLeah BeitnerJonathan R. ToddVanessa I. GomezDaniel S. Marks

Represented Palmetto in its acquisition of The Cool Down, the world’s leading clean lifestyle media platform, marking the first time a clean energy company has acquired a clean lifestyle platform and expanding Palmetto’s reach in the home energy marketplace.

Key Contacts: Cody Boender Meghan Cohen Jordan HartmanDaniel Weil Kara Sturtz Adriana BeachAndrew GlickmanMelissa R. GrimDavid WelshShivdutt TrivediJordan M. ZornesSean Crowley Daniel S. Marks

Counseled a private equity fund on the separation and transition of the entire executive team following the closing of a large public acquisition, including advising on cash severance calculations, incentive equity and nonqualified deferred compensation payout, 280G impacts on termination payment, and drafting separation, transition and consulting agreements.

Key Contacts: Kara Sturtz

No results found

Credentials

Education

Capital University Law School, 2022, J.D.
  • summa cum laude
  • Articles Editor, Capital University Law Review
  • CALI Awards: Employment Law, Negotiations, Federal Personal Income Tax, Estates & Trusts
  • Research and Teaching Assistant, Constitutional Law & Criminal Procedure 
The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business, 2018, B.B.A.

Bar & Court Admissions

Ohio
New York

Related News & Insights

Press Releases 2.2.26

Benesch Advises Revelar Capital on Acquisition of Lettermen’s Energy, Building National Propane Platform

Benesch is pleased to announce that it represented Revelar Capital, a leading private equity firm investing exclusively across the healthcare services, business services and specialty manufacturing sectors, in its acquisition of Lettermen’s Energy, a national propane distributor serving residential and commercial markets across the United States. The transaction marks Revelar’s fifth platform investment in the past 18 months and positions Lettermen’s for continued growth as a national market leader.
View All