Severance Agreement FAQ
I am a New York employment lawyer representing employees and employers in a wide range of workplace matters throughout the five boroughs of New York City and Long Island. My practice focuses on helping clients navigate employment disputes involving discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour violations, employment contracts, severance agreements, and other workplace-related claims.
Employment disputes can have a significant impact on a person’s career, finances, and professional reputation. As a New York City severance agreement lawyer, I work closely with clients facing severance and other employment-related matters to understand the circumstances of their particular situation, evaluate their legal options, and develop a strategy tailored to their goals. Whether a matter can be resolved through negotiation or requires litigation, my objective is to provide practical, thoughtful, and effective legal representation.
I represent clients throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County. If you are facing a difficult employment situation or believe your rights have been violated in the workplace, I can help you understand your options and determine the appropriate next steps.
Why Hire a New York City Severance Agreement Lawyer?
A severance agreement can be one of the most important documents you sign at the end of an employment relationship.
An New York employment lawyer experienced in severance agreements can help you:
- Understand the agreement
- Identify provisions that may be unfavorable
- Evaluate potential employment claims
- Assess your negotiating leverage
- Determine what terms may be worth negotiating
- Negotiate compensation and benefits
- Review releases and waivers
- Evaluate restrictive covenants
- Address confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions
- Consider the treatment of bonuses and equity
- Protect your interests before you sign
Our firm has more than 25 years of experience handling employment matters and severance negotiations for employees and professionals in New York.
Frequently Asked Questions About New York Severance Agreements
You are not necessarily required to hire a lawyer, but having a New York City severance agreement lawyer review the agreement can help you understand its terms, identify potential issues, and determine whether negotiation may be appropriate.
A lawyer may be able to negotiate a larger severance payment or improve other terms of the package. The potential for negotiation depends on the circumstances and the employee’s negotiating leverage.
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, employees may be able to negotiate compensation, benefits, references, restrictive covenants, releases, confidentiality provisions, and other terms.
Generally, New York does not require severance pay where there is no applicable agreement or policy providing for it.
You may receive severance compensation or other benefits, but you may also release certain legal claims and agree to continuing obligations. The exact consequences depend on the agreement.
A non-compete may be negotiable depending on the circumstances. The enforceability and scope of a restrictive covenant should be evaluated under applicable law.
Potentially. The language, scope, exceptions, and whether the obligation is mutual can all be relevant negotiation issues.
Do not sign an agreement simply because you feel pressured to do so. Review the deadline, understand the terms, and consider obtaining legal advice before signing.
You may still want a New York City severance agreement lawyer to review the agreement. Even when the financial offer is presented as final, there may be other provisions that can potentially be negotiated or clarified.
A potential wrongful-termination, discrimination, retaliation, wage, or contract claim may affect the analysis of your severance agreement and your negotiating leverage. An attorney can evaluate the circumstances and explain your options.
Take Action to Protect Your Employment Rights
If you believe you have been discriminated against, sexually harassed, retaliated against, wrongfully terminated, denied wages or overtime, or otherwise treated unlawfully in the workplace, you do not have to face the situation alone. Employment disputes can move quickly, and important evidence, deadlines, and legal rights may be affected by waiting too long to act.
Speaking with an experienced New York employment lawyer who handles severance agreement matters can help you understand your rights, evaluate the strength of your potential claims, and determine what options may be available to you. Whether you are seeking to negotiate a resolution, challenge an adverse employment action, or pursue litigation, having knowledgeable legal representation can make an important difference.
If you are facing an employment dispute in New York City or Long Island, consider seeking legal advice as soon as possible. Contact an employment attorney to discuss your circumstances and learn about the steps you can take to protect your rights, your career, and your future.