NEWS RELEASE
May 7, 2026
Strategic hire enhances the firm’s Health Care & Life Sciences and Manufacturing Sector capabilities and national executive benefits platform in a key growth market
Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that Shannon Goff Kukulka has joined the firm’s Nashville office as a partner in its Executive Benefits & Employee Compensation Practice Group and a member of its Health Care & Life Sciences and Manufacturing Sectors. Joining from Holland & Knight, Kukulka brings extensive experience advising employers on complex employee benefits and executive compensation matters spanning regulatory, transactional, and compliance issues.
Kukulka represents companies across a broad range of industries, including health care, manufacturing, financial services, insurance brokerage, automotive, retail, and hospitality, on benefits and compensation issues arising in both day-to-day operations and corporate transactions. She advises on qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, health and welfare arrangements, equity-based compensation programs, and benefits and compensation-related matters in mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, financings, and restructurings. Her transactional work includes benefits considerations under applicable securities laws, Section 280G analyses, international benefits issues, and post-closing integration planning.
“Shannon’s addition reflects our continued investment in Nashville as a strategic growth market for the firm,” said Jesse Neil, managing partner of Foley’s Nashville office. “Since opening the office last year, we’ve seen sustained momentum driven by increasing client demand across key industries in the region. Shannon’s executive benefits and compensation experience, particularly in the health care and manufacturing sectors, directly supports that demand and strengthens our ability to serve clients in this growing and increasingly sophisticated market.”
Kukulka also advises companies on Affordable Care Act compliance, Internal Revenue Code Section 409A matters, collectively bargained plans, ERISA litigation strategy, and government audits involving the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. She previously served as in-house counsel for a Fortune Global 500 manufacturing company, where she partnered with human resources leaders on benefits strategy and administration, labor relations, executive compensation, and risk mitigation.
“Shannon strengthens our national executive benefits and compensation platform with deep technical expertise, extensive transactional support experience, and a valuable in‑house perspective,” said Amy Ciepluch, chair of Foley’s Executive Benefits & Employee Compensation Practice Group. “Her practice aligns well with the complex, high‑stakes benefits and compensation matters our clients face today, where these considerations are central to deal execution and long‑term workforce strategy. We are pleased to welcome her to the firm.”
“I was drawn to Foley’s depth of experience and clear commitment to strategic growth across practices and geographies where the firm sees long‑term opportunity,” said Kukulka. “The firm’s national platform, collaborative culture, and cross‑office approach create a strong environment to continue building my practice while bringing a broader range of capabilities to clients. I’m excited to join such a talented team and contribute to Foley’s continued growth in Nashville.”
About Foley & Lardner LLP
Foley & Lardner LLP is a preeminent law firm that stands at the nexus of the Energy & Infrastructure, Health Care & Life Sciences, Innovative Technology, and Manufacturing Sectors. We look beyond the law to focus on the constantly evolving demands facing our clients and act as trusted business advisors to deliver creative, practical, and effective solutions. Our 1,100 lawyers across 27 offices worldwide partner on the full range of engagements from corporate counsel to intellectual property work and litigation support, providing our clients with a one-team solution to all their needs. For nearly two centuries, Foley has maintained its commitment to the highest level of innovative legal services and to the stewardship of our people, firm, clients, and the communities we serve.
CONTACT:
Jen Dilworth
Manager, Communications
214.999.4718
jdilworth@foley.com