Employment Contract & Severance Negotiations
Whether you are starting a new job, leaving one behind, or working steadily at a current one, you may need an advocate to navigate career pivots -- someone who can advise you on your rights, negotiate contracts and agreements, provide assistance during disputes, or guide you on options that fit your career goals and expectations.
Spivak Lipton’s attorneys represent individual employees across a wide range of industries such as finance, technology, entertainment, sales, not-for-profit, and health care. We represent employees at all levels of employment, whether you are entering into your first employment agreement, a top-tier executive experiencing an employment transition, or an employee venturing into the start-up world trying to assess the risks and rewards of equity compensation.
The Firm’s attorneys work closely with our clients to identify their needs and interests, respond immediately to urgent situations and offer highly individualized care and attention to employees working through employment challenges, for example:
Negotiate severance arrangements: If you’re facing termination, or your job no longer fulfills your needs, we can negotiate fair, equitable severance terms and help you transition out of employment with dignity, ensuring transitional income, benefits, and non-restrictive post-employment provisions.
Enforce employment contracts: We can help you vet new employment opportunities, negotiate an employment contract with advantageous terms and protections, and enforce the terms of that contract when they are not fully met.
Advise on employment disputes: When you’re having trouble at work, you may be unsure of your legal rights or whether they’re being violated. You may be looking for a way to handle a difficult situation without jeopardizing your employment or damaging your professional reputation. We can inform you of your rights and offer a variety of options to address these challenging employment situations.
File claims with administrative agencies: Many workplace issues are enforced by government administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR) or the New York City Commission of Human Rights (NYCCHR). We will determine whether, and how, a claim should be filed and ensure your claim receives appropriate attention.
Appear at alternate dispute resolution hearings: If your workplace disputes must be resolved in an arbitration or mediation setting, we can represent you throughout these proceedings to ensure that you receive due process and are afforded a full and fair hearing.
Litigate court actions: When an employer is resistant to non-litigation solutions, like formal letters or reasoned discussion, workplace issues sometimes require stronger measures. Spivak Lipton’s attorneys are experienced litigators ready to advocate for you in court when necessary. We carefully assess the merits of any potential legal claims and will counsel you regarding the legal process and likely outcome of taking formal legal action against your employer.
Representative Employment Transitions
Sex discrimination
Represent employees subjected to sex discrimination including sexual harassment, retaliation and/or pay inequities.
Assist with filing internal complaints with employers, pursued legal claims externally, and secured fair and equitable separation/settlement terms, when appropriate.
Handling negative employment actions and separations
Guide employees through employer investigations, performance downgrades, disciplinary actions, and other challenging employment situations.
Develop compelling narratives that leverage poor employment practices to advantageously position employees seeking to separate from employment and access severance benefits.
Navigating employment contracts
Counsel executives at Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies in fields including technology and financial services to navigate internal and external transitions that lead to better employment terms.
Assist with the review and negotiation of employment agreements in order to protect employees starting new employment. This includes employment at start-ups and alternate employment arrangements such as deferred compensation.
Please contact Hope Pordy at hpordy@spivaklipton.com if you need legal assistance related to an Employment Contract or Severance Agreement.
