David S Thomas

Practice Areas

David Thomas is a partner in Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati's compensation and benefits practice. For more than 25 years, Dave has provided legal and practical guidance on compensation and benefits issues to companies of all sizes, including their compensation committees, boards of directors, and board special committees.

His philosophy is that each compensation or benefits issue must be viewed through a multifaceted lens that takes into account all key constituents. Wilson Sonsini compensation and benefits lawyers pride themselves on considering the whole picture when giving advice, rather than just answering the question, "What legal action is needed to do X?" Dave places a high priority on his ability to deliver advice and draft documents in "plain English" so they can be easily digested by: technical tax and securities lawyers (because the advice and documents are technically accurate and complete), in-house lawyers who are not tax or compensation specialists (because they are very clear), and non-lawyers (HR and compensation professionals and the employees who the documents are intended to motivate).

Professional Memberships

Fellow, American College of Employee Benefits Counsel

Distinguished Equity Fellow, National Association of Stock Plan Professionals

Private Company Steering Committee, National Association of Stock Plan Professionals

Editorial Advisory Board, Insights: The Corporate and Securities Law Advisor

Awards