John Kahn

John is a corporate tax lawyer with a particular focus on employee ownership trusts, employee buyouts and employee share schemes and options. John also specialises in the tax aspects of M&A transactions, (including with respect to warranty and indemnity insurance) and employment tax matters. 

John’s legal expertise assists clients achieve more, together, by enabling employees to have a stake in the ownership of the company they work for. Share incentives can improve staff motivation and productivity and many studies have shown employee-owned companies perform better than their peers. UK law encourages the growth of employee share ownership in two main ways. Firstly, by treating certain share options and share plans (e.g., EMI, CSOP, SIP and SAYE plans) in a tax advantaged way, provided specific conditions are met.  And secondly, through legislation enabling selling shareholders to benefit from a tax-free sale of their shares if they sell them to an employee ownership trust holding the shares on trust for the benefit of the employees. 

Whether in the context of a new or existing share scheme, a corporate transaction or an employee buyout, the applicable tax law can be confusing and clear advice is paramount. John works to help clients to find their way through the often-complex legislation and achieve their goals. 

“John Kahn in Norwich has extensive experience in M&A transactions, employment tax matters and the underwriting of transactional risk insurance.”  (Legal 500)

John is particularly interested in employee ownership and employee buyouts. Outside of the office, John is interested in psychoanalysis and philosophy. He also enjoys food, going to the cinema, spending time with friends and family, and going for walks in the country with his dog.