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Jennifer H. Callahan

Of Counsel, Industry Group Leader

(405) 552-2225
jennifer.callahan@mcafeetaft.com
Oklahoma City

Overview

Jennifer Callahan’s practice focuses on corporate governance, succession planning, and the tax and business planning needs of private and public companies. Jennifer advises private and public companies of all sizes across a broad range of industries on the design, implementation and administration of equity and cash compensation arrangements, executive employment agreements, and employee benefit issues. She regularly provides guidance with respect to the tax and governance issues associated with executive employment agreements, equity compensation arrangements, and deferred compensation plans. Her representative experience also includes corporate representation of businesses engaged in oil and gas, energy, real estate, manufacturing, medical, banking, and farming and ranching, as well as estate planning for high-net-worth individuals.

Jennifer currently co-leads McAfee & Taft’s Agriculture & Equine Industry Group and previously served on the firm’s board of directors for several years. In addition to active practice, she also serves as a member of the OSU A&M Board of Regents, as general counsel for The State Chamber, and on the board of directors for Cattlemen’s Congress.

Representative Experience

  • Analysis and guidance regarding executive compensation strategies for new businesses, business transactions, and turnaround situations.
  • Drafting and implementation of all types of executive compensation plans and agreements, including employee stock option plans (both ISO and NQO), restricted stock plans and other equity based incentive plans, supplemental executive retirement plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans (and related trusts), employment agreements, and severance/retention agreements.
  • Advising tax-exempt organizations on formation, qualification, governance and issues associated with maintaining their tax-exempt status.
  • Formation of family foundations and private foundations and ongoing counseling regarding day-to-day operational matters, board governance and contractual matters.
  • Tax planning and administrative aspects of Oklahoma tax law with special emphasis on business incentives, including Oklahoma’s Quality Jobs and Small Employer Quality Jobs incentives, and ad valorem and sales tax exemptions.
  • Business, tax, and financial planning for owners and entities as outside general counsel.

Honors and Awards

  • Listed in the Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2011–2012; 2014–2016)
  • Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (2009–Present)
  • Named “Best Lawyers Employee Benefits (ERISA) Lawyer of the Year” in Oklahoma City for 2013, 2016, 2019, 2023 and 2026
  • Named “Best Lawyers Nonprofit/Charities Lawyer of the Year” in Oklahoma City for 2014, 2021, 2026 and 2027  
  • Listed in Oklahoma Super Lawyers (2009–2020)
  • Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings

Professional Organizations and Memberships

  • Oklahoma Bar Association
  • American Bar Association

Civic Involvement and Leadership

  • OSU A&M Board of Regents
  • Cattlemen’s Congress (Board of Directors)
  • Oklahoma State University Foundation Board of Governors (2017—2023)
  • Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (Tax Section)
  • Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma (Former Member, Board of Directors)
  • Sunbeam Family Services (Former Member, Board of Directors)

Speaking Engagements

  • Oklahoma, 1996
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • J.D., with highest honors, University of Oklahoma, 1996
    • Oklahoma Law Review; Order of the Coif; Phi Delta Phi
  • M.S. (Accounting), Oklahoma City University, 1993
  • B.S. (Agricultural Business), summa cum laude, California Polytechnic State University, 1991