Jonathan D.Karelitz
Partner
Employee Benefits
jkarelitz@seyfarth.com
Jon partners with clients to design and manage benefit programs that align with company culture, strategic business goals, and their “true north.”
More About Jon
Compensation and benefits are important attraction and retention tools for employers; they are also subject to a complex and evolving set of laws. Clients look to Jon for practical solutions to the legal, strategic, and operational challenges presented by compensation and benefit programs. He is experienced and pragmatic, approaching issues by understanding his clients' goals, risk tolerance, and the outcomes that are acceptable (and unacceptable).
Jon has been recognized by in-house counsel as a BTI Client Service All-Star for "delivering the absolute best client service" and his "unmatched business understanding." He is the relationship partner for several publicly-traded and large privately-held corporations, and provides timely, actionable advice in the following specific areas:
Executive Compensation: Jon is co-chair of the firm's Executive & Equity Compensation practice. Specifically, Jon helps employers hire, incentivize, and discharge key employees, including negotiating and drafting employment and severance agreements. He has experience designing and counseling on all types of equity compensation arrangements for publicly traded, closely-held, and private equity portfolio companies. Jon also helps clients navigate the complex tax rules governing nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements and performance-based compensation. In addition, he helps clients comply with SEC executive compensation disclosure rules and drafts disclosure materials, including CD&As.
Retirement Plans: Jon helps clients implement and administer pension and 401(k) plans. He has worked on cutting-edge pension de-risking projects, including one of the largest pension buyouts in US history. Jon routinely assists clients with the correction of plan operational errors, and has represented clients in numerous IRS and Department of Labor audits. He also advises investment committees and plan fiduciaries on the legal implications of all types of managed investments and financial instruments. In addition, Jon helps plan administrators respond to participant claims and appeals, and uses project management tools and technology to efficiently manage high-volume claim loads.
Health & Welfare Plans: Jon advises employers regarding the design and day-to-day administration of group health and welfare plans, including compliance with the evolving landscape of health care reform laws. He also trains management and HR employees on legal obligations and best practices for the protection of employee health information, as required under HIPAA.
An underlying theme in all of Jon's work is his passion for solving interesting problems with great teammates across the firm. His clients benefit from his positive working relationships with colleagues that are, in his words, "smart, energetic, and personable."
Jon has been recognized by in-house counsel as a BTI Client Service All-Star for "delivering the absolute best client service" and his "unmatched business understanding." He is the relationship partner for several publicly-traded and large privately-held corporations, and provides timely, actionable advice in the following specific areas:
Executive Compensation: Jon is co-chair of the firm's Executive & Equity Compensation practice. Specifically, Jon helps employers hire, incentivize, and discharge key employees, including negotiating and drafting employment and severance agreements. He has experience designing and counseling on all types of equity compensation arrangements for publicly traded, closely-held, and private equity portfolio companies. Jon also helps clients navigate the complex tax rules governing nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements and performance-based compensation. In addition, he helps clients comply with SEC executive compensation disclosure rules and drafts disclosure materials, including CD&As.
Retirement Plans: Jon helps clients implement and administer pension and 401(k) plans. He has worked on cutting-edge pension de-risking projects, including one of the largest pension buyouts in US history. Jon routinely assists clients with the correction of plan operational errors, and has represented clients in numerous IRS and Department of Labor audits. He also advises investment committees and plan fiduciaries on the legal implications of all types of managed investments and financial instruments. In addition, Jon helps plan administrators respond to participant claims and appeals, and uses project management tools and technology to efficiently manage high-volume claim loads.
Health & Welfare Plans: Jon advises employers regarding the design and day-to-day administration of group health and welfare plans, including compliance with the evolving landscape of health care reform laws. He also trains management and HR employees on legal obligations and best practices for the protection of employee health information, as required under HIPAA.
An underlying theme in all of Jon's work is his passion for solving interesting problems with great teammates across the firm. His clients benefit from his positive working relationships with colleagues that are, in his words, "smart, energetic, and personable."
- LLM, The John Marshall Law School
Employee BenefitsWith honors
- JD, Indiana University Maurer School of Law
CALI Award in Employee Benefits Law
- BA, Northwestern University
- Illinois
Related Key Industries
Blogs
Related News & Insights
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Firm News
08/15/2024
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05/29/2024
Jon Karelitz Discusses Resources to Help Struggling Employees in World at Work
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Recognition
Jun 8, 2022
Seyfarth Earns Top Rankings in Legal 500 US 2022
-
Blog Post
Mar 21, 2022
SEC Reopens Comment Period for Pay-for-Performance Proxy Disclosure
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2025)
- Recommended as an "Emerging Lawyer" by Leading Lawyer (Law Bulletin Mediapeers) (2021)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans design by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2020, 2022-2024)
- Worldwide Employee Benefits Network, Chicago Chapter (Programming Committee; Steering Committee, 2012-2016)
- National Association of Stock Plan Professionals
- Co-Author, "To Disclose Or Not During ERISA Administrative Review — The Fourth Circuit Weighs In With An Affirmative Answer," ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 2, 2019)
- Co-Author, "With IRS Retraction, Lump Sum Buyout Opportunities for Retirees Are Permitted Once Again," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 11, 2019)
- Contributor, Illinois Corporate Practice and Forms: The Seyfarth Shaw Manual (2017–2020)
- Co-Author, "'It all sounds very reasonable...' New SEC Guidance Emphasizes Reasonableness and Flexibility in CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 27, 2017)
- Co-Author, “HHS Fact Sheet on Your Employees’ and Clients’ Rights under HIPAA to Access their Health Information,” Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 1, 2016)
- Co-Author, “DOL’s Proposed Rule On Fiduciaries,” ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 12, 2015)
- "IRS Provides Temporary Nondiscrimination Relief for Certain “Closed” Defined Benefit Plans," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 27, 2014)
- "Year-End Budget Act Includes PBGC Premium Increases for 2015 and 2016," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 21, 2014)
- Co-Author, “US Supreme Court Ruling Affects Benefits for Same-Gender Spouses,” Employee Benefit Plan Review (September 2013)
- Co-Author, "U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Affects Benefits for Same-Gender Spouses," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 28, 2013)
- Co-Author, “IRS Extends Deadline for Amending Plans for PPA Funding-Based Restrictions… Again,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 28, 2012)
- Co-Author, “PBGC Announces New Enforcement Approach for Assessing Funding Liability upon Facility Shutdown or Other Cessation of Operations,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 15, 2012)
- Co-Author, “IRS Final Regulations Allow Pension Plan Sponsors in Bankruptcy to Eliminate Prohibited Payment Options,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 13, 2012)
- Co-Author, “IRS Provides Guidance on Lump Sum Window Periods for Defined Benefit Plans,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 26, 2012)
- Contributing Author, "Chapter 31: Equity Compensation Plans," Illinois Corporate Practice and Forms (2008-2012)
- Panelist, First 100 & Beyond: Seyfarth's Strategy & Planning Summit For Businesses, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Chicago, IL (May 25, 2017)
- “Wellness Programs and the EEOC,” 2017 HR Conferences, Management Association of Illinois (March 16, 2017)
- “Employer Mandate Reporting,” American Payroll Association Statewide Conference (August 21, 2014)
- “The Windsor Decision and Employee Benefits: What You Should Know,” American Payroll Association (April 24, 2014)
- “Designing an Effective Retirement Plan for Your Business,” CPA Leadership Institute web video (March 19, 2014)
- "The Windsor Decision and Employee Benefits: What You Should Know," HR with Purpose, Management Association of Illinois (March 11, 2014)
- “DOMA Decision & Employee Benefits: What You Should Know,” Management Association of Illinois, Chicago, IL (November 7, 2013)
- “Managing Pension Risk in an Uncertain Economy,” WEB Chicago Chapter - Breakfast Meeting (February 27, 2013)
- “Legislative Update,” Worldwide Employee Benefits Network, West Suburban Chapter (December 2010)
- “Default Investment Alternatives Under Participant Directed Individual Account Plans,” Chicago Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee (October 2006)
- Northwestern University Alumni Admissions Council, 2018-present
- Jewish Council for Youth Services (board of directors, 2008-2016; executive board, 2011-2016)
Jon has been recognized by in-house counsel as a BTI Client Service All-Star for “delivering the absolute best client service” and for his “unmatched business understanding.” —BTI Client Service
Jon partners with clients to design and manage benefit programs that align with company culture, strategic business goals, and their “true north.”
More About Jon
Compensation and benefits are important attraction and retention tools for employers; they are also subject to a complex and evolving set of laws. Clients look to Jon for practical solutions to the legal, strategic, and operational challenges presented by compensation and benefit programs. He is experienced and pragmatic, approaching issues by understanding his clients' goals, risk tolerance, and the outcomes that are acceptable (and unacceptable).
Jon has been recognized by in-house counsel as a BTI Client Service All-Star for "delivering the absolute best client service" and his "unmatched business understanding." He is the relationship partner for several publicly-traded and large privately-held corporations, and provides timely, actionable advice in the following specific areas:
Executive Compensation: Jon is co-chair of the firm's Executive & Equity Compensation practice. Specifically, Jon helps employers hire, incentivize, and discharge key employees, including negotiating and drafting employment and severance agreements. He has experience designing and counseling on all types of equity compensation arrangements for publicly traded, closely-held, and private equity portfolio companies. Jon also helps clients navigate the complex tax rules governing nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements and performance-based compensation. In addition, he helps clients comply with SEC executive compensation disclosure rules and drafts disclosure materials, including CD&As.
Retirement Plans: Jon helps clients implement and administer pension and 401(k) plans. He has worked on cutting-edge pension de-risking projects, including one of the largest pension buyouts in US history. Jon routinely assists clients with the correction of plan operational errors, and has represented clients in numerous IRS and Department of Labor audits. He also advises investment committees and plan fiduciaries on the legal implications of all types of managed investments and financial instruments. In addition, Jon helps plan administrators respond to participant claims and appeals, and uses project management tools and technology to efficiently manage high-volume claim loads.
Health & Welfare Plans: Jon advises employers regarding the design and day-to-day administration of group health and welfare plans, including compliance with the evolving landscape of health care reform laws. He also trains management and HR employees on legal obligations and best practices for the protection of employee health information, as required under HIPAA.
An underlying theme in all of Jon's work is his passion for solving interesting problems with great teammates across the firm. His clients benefit from his positive working relationships with colleagues that are, in his words, "smart, energetic, and personable."
Jon has been recognized by in-house counsel as a BTI Client Service All-Star for "delivering the absolute best client service" and his "unmatched business understanding." He is the relationship partner for several publicly-traded and large privately-held corporations, and provides timely, actionable advice in the following specific areas:
Executive Compensation: Jon is co-chair of the firm's Executive & Equity Compensation practice. Specifically, Jon helps employers hire, incentivize, and discharge key employees, including negotiating and drafting employment and severance agreements. He has experience designing and counseling on all types of equity compensation arrangements for publicly traded, closely-held, and private equity portfolio companies. Jon also helps clients navigate the complex tax rules governing nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements and performance-based compensation. In addition, he helps clients comply with SEC executive compensation disclosure rules and drafts disclosure materials, including CD&As.
Retirement Plans: Jon helps clients implement and administer pension and 401(k) plans. He has worked on cutting-edge pension de-risking projects, including one of the largest pension buyouts in US history. Jon routinely assists clients with the correction of plan operational errors, and has represented clients in numerous IRS and Department of Labor audits. He also advises investment committees and plan fiduciaries on the legal implications of all types of managed investments and financial instruments. In addition, Jon helps plan administrators respond to participant claims and appeals, and uses project management tools and technology to efficiently manage high-volume claim loads.
Health & Welfare Plans: Jon advises employers regarding the design and day-to-day administration of group health and welfare plans, including compliance with the evolving landscape of health care reform laws. He also trains management and HR employees on legal obligations and best practices for the protection of employee health information, as required under HIPAA.
An underlying theme in all of Jon's work is his passion for solving interesting problems with great teammates across the firm. His clients benefit from his positive working relationships with colleagues that are, in his words, "smart, energetic, and personable."
- LLM, The John Marshall Law School
Employee BenefitsWith honors
- JD, Indiana University Maurer School of Law
CALI Award in Employee Benefits Law
- BA, Northwestern University
- Illinois
Related Key Industries
Blogs
Related News & Insights
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Media Mentions
05/29/2024
Jon Karelitz Discusses Resources to Help Struggling Employees in World at Work
-
Recognition
Jun 8, 2022
Seyfarth Earns Top Rankings in Legal 500 US 2022
-
Blog Post
Mar 21, 2022
SEC Reopens Comment Period for Pay-for-Performance Proxy Disclosure
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2025)
- Recommended as an "Emerging Lawyer" by Leading Lawyer (Law Bulletin Mediapeers) (2021)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans design by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2020, 2022-2024)
- Worldwide Employee Benefits Network, Chicago Chapter (Programming Committee; Steering Committee, 2012-2016)
- National Association of Stock Plan Professionals
- Co-Author, "To Disclose Or Not During ERISA Administrative Review — The Fourth Circuit Weighs In With An Affirmative Answer," ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 2, 2019)
- Co-Author, "With IRS Retraction, Lump Sum Buyout Opportunities for Retirees Are Permitted Once Again," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 11, 2019)
- Contributor, Illinois Corporate Practice and Forms: The Seyfarth Shaw Manual (2017–2020)
- Co-Author, "'It all sounds very reasonable...' New SEC Guidance Emphasizes Reasonableness and Flexibility in CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 27, 2017)
- Co-Author, “HHS Fact Sheet on Your Employees’ and Clients’ Rights under HIPAA to Access their Health Information,” Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 1, 2016)
- Co-Author, “DOL’s Proposed Rule On Fiduciaries,” ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 12, 2015)
- "IRS Provides Temporary Nondiscrimination Relief for Certain “Closed” Defined Benefit Plans," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 27, 2014)
- "Year-End Budget Act Includes PBGC Premium Increases for 2015 and 2016," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 21, 2014)
- Co-Author, “US Supreme Court Ruling Affects Benefits for Same-Gender Spouses,” Employee Benefit Plan Review (September 2013)
- Co-Author, "U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Affects Benefits for Same-Gender Spouses," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 28, 2013)
- Co-Author, “IRS Extends Deadline for Amending Plans for PPA Funding-Based Restrictions… Again,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 28, 2012)
- Co-Author, “PBGC Announces New Enforcement Approach for Assessing Funding Liability upon Facility Shutdown or Other Cessation of Operations,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 15, 2012)
- Co-Author, “IRS Final Regulations Allow Pension Plan Sponsors in Bankruptcy to Eliminate Prohibited Payment Options,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 13, 2012)
- Co-Author, “IRS Provides Guidance on Lump Sum Window Periods for Defined Benefit Plans,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 26, 2012)
- Contributing Author, "Chapter 31: Equity Compensation Plans," Illinois Corporate Practice and Forms (2008-2012)
- Panelist, First 100 & Beyond: Seyfarth's Strategy & Planning Summit For Businesses, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Chicago, IL (May 25, 2017)
- “Wellness Programs and the EEOC,” 2017 HR Conferences, Management Association of Illinois (March 16, 2017)
- “Employer Mandate Reporting,” American Payroll Association Statewide Conference (August 21, 2014)
- “The Windsor Decision and Employee Benefits: What You Should Know,” American Payroll Association (April 24, 2014)
- “Designing an Effective Retirement Plan for Your Business,” CPA Leadership Institute web video (March 19, 2014)
- "The Windsor Decision and Employee Benefits: What You Should Know," HR with Purpose, Management Association of Illinois (March 11, 2014)
- “DOMA Decision & Employee Benefits: What You Should Know,” Management Association of Illinois, Chicago, IL (November 7, 2013)
- “Managing Pension Risk in an Uncertain Economy,” WEB Chicago Chapter - Breakfast Meeting (February 27, 2013)
- “Legislative Update,” Worldwide Employee Benefits Network, West Suburban Chapter (December 2010)
- “Default Investment Alternatives Under Participant Directed Individual Account Plans,” Chicago Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee (October 2006)
- Northwestern University Alumni Admissions Council, 2018-present
- Jewish Council for Youth Services (board of directors, 2008-2016; executive board, 2011-2016)
Jon has been recognized by in-house counsel as a BTI Client Service All-Star for “delivering the absolute best client service” and for his “unmatched business understanding.” —BTI Client Service