Eileen M. Liu

EILEEN LIU is a highly regarded employee benefits and executive compensation attorney who advises companies of all sizes — from emerging growth businesses to multinational organizations — across a wide range of industries. She partners closely with clients to deliver practical, business-focused solutions on their most complex benefits and compensation matters. Known for her responsiveness and practical judgment, Eileen serves as a trusted advisor navigating both day-to-day benefits issues and high-stakes transactions.

Eileen regularly advises fiduciary committees on their duties and responsibilities under ERISA, providing practical guidance on governance, risk management, and compliance. She also regularly provides fiduciary training to plan fiduciaries and fiduciary committee members to help them stay informed and effectively discharge their obligations. Her work includes the establishment, management, and administration of broad-based retirement and welfare benefit plans, including 401(k) plans, defined benefit plans, multiple employer plans, health plans, and cafeteria plans. Clients rely on her advice regarding issues of plan design, compliance with ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, and fiduciary responsibilities.

She brings deep experience in structuring, negotiating, and implementing executive compensation arrangements, and regularly represents both companies and senior executives in connection with employment, retention, and separation agreements. She also designs and advises on a full spectrum of compensation and incentive programs, including equity and cash-based plans, bonus and retention arrangements, deferred compensation, and other nonqualified retirement plans tailored to align with business objectives and within the context of mergers, acquisitions, financings, and other strategic transactions.

She also contributes to thought leadership in the field, regularly writing and speaking on executive compensation and employee benefits topics, and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law from 2016 through 2026.

• Chicago Inclusion Committee Partner Co-Chair
• Chicago Leader, SidleyWomen
• Chicago Co-Chair, Committee on the Evaluation and Compensation of Associates