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Employment Contracts & Separation Agreements

Employment relationships are often defined by key contractual documents which serve as critical tools for protecting a business, managing employee expectations, and mitigating legal risk. Greenbaum provides tailored legal counsel, drafting and negotiating robust employment and separation (or severance) agreements that specifically address each client’s unique needs when onboarding new talent or managing an employee's departure.

We draft comprehensive employment contracts that establish a clear and enforceable framework for the employer-employee relationship. While most employment in New Jersey is "at-will," a well-drafted contract provides stability for key personnel and, most importantly, protects the company's proprietary interests. We draft and negotiate employment agreements that clearly define a full range of terms, including job responsibilities, compensation structures, restrictive covenants, confidentiality provisions, benefits, incentives, and grounds for termination. We have notable expertise in crafting complex executive employment contracts that address intricate issues related to compensation, severance, and corporate governance.

The firm has strong expertise in reviewing, negotiating and drafting executive compensation agreements that outline the financial and non-financial rewards and benefits offered to a company’s senior leadership in return for their work, loyalty and dedication to the company. These agreements, which are critical for attracting and retaining top talent in any organization, include base salary, performance bonuses, long-term incentives, deferred compensation, and a variety of non-financial perks and benefits. As legal counsel for executives as well as for the companies who strive to retain them, we navigate the intricacies of these agreements to ensure that our clients offer and/or receive fair and competitive compensation packages. Executive compensation is subject to various laws and regulations, including tax laws and accounting rules that require careful consideration and a holistic approach.

The end of an employment relationship, whether voluntary or involuntary, requires careful legal handling to minimize the risk of future litigation. We assist clients in structuring and negotiating separation agreements that provide a clean and final break from the employee by offering a clear benefit to the employee – such as severance pay or continued benefits – in exchange for a full and final release of all legal claims against the employer. We ensure that all separation agreements are fully compliant with New Jersey and federal laws. We help clients manage terminations with a strategy that minimizes the threat of litigation, ensuring that the agreement is well-drafted, enforceable, and provides maximum protection for the business.

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