Severance Agreements in New York
New York Employment Attorneys Can Protect Your Rights
The New York employment lawyers of Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP have experience reviewing severance agreements and go beyond traditional analysis of specific provisions of an agreement and perform a thorough review of all of the facts and circumstances related to your involuntary termination. This comprehensive process helps us see the bigger picture which is often more complicated than mere language written in the agreement. We will ask questions and request your help in providing facts and any materials related to your employment and termination. We can offer our best recommendations only when equipped with knowledge of the facts surrounding your case.
What is a Severance Agreement?
A severance agreement, also known as a separation agreement, is a legally binding contract between an employer and an employee that outlines the terms and conditions under which the employment relationship will end. In New York City, a severance agreement typically specifies the rights and obligations of both parties upon the termination of employment.
What Does a Severance Agreement Do for Me?
The signing of a severance agreement releases or prevents you from suing your employer for any claims against them that you have, so it is essential to first determine whether legitimate claims exist. Upon the signing of a release, you will not be able to assert claims against the company at any point in the future.
We frequently learn during the initial consultation that circumstances surrounding the person's termination could involve discrimination of some sort, such as racial discrimination or unfair treatment based on religious beliefs of the employee being terminated or those of this person’s supervisor.
The lawyers of Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP carefully evaluate the circumstances surrounding a severance agreement through active listening, precise inquiry, and investigative research and review. At this point, meaningful and knowledgeable guidance can be offered, but not before these crucial steps are taken. It is with that knowledge that we proceed to review and analyze your severance agreement.
Our Severance Agreement Services
Our NYC severance agreements attorneys have an in-depth understanding of the laws surrounding severance pay and are dedicated to advocating for your best interests.
We offer a range of services to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve:
Legal Consultation: Seeking advice from our NYC employment attorneys is a crucial step in understanding your rights and obligations under a severance agreement. Our team of attorneys can review the agreement, explain its terms, and provide guidance based on your specific circumstances. We can also advise you on whether the agreement is fair and whether you should negotiate for better terms.
Negotiation Assistance: If you feel that the terms of your severance agreement can be improved, you may choose to negotiate with your employer. We can help you negotiate the terms of your severance package, including monetary compensation, continuation of benefits, non-compete clauses, and more. Our team has experience in employment law and can advocate for your best interests during negotiations.
Severance Agreement Review: Severance agreements can be complex legal documents, and it's essential to have them thoroughly reviewed before signing. Our team offers professional review services, where our attorneys analyze the terms of the agreement, identify potential pitfalls, and provide advice on how to protect your rights. We can help ensure that the agreement is fair, compliant with applicable laws, and in your best interest.
Mediation and Arbitration: In some cases, disputes may arise between an employee and an employer regarding the terms of a severance agreement. Mediation and arbitration services can assist in resolving these disputes outside of court. It provides a neutral third party who can facilitate negotiations and help both parties reach a mutually acceptable resolution.
Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP Can Examine Your Case
The severance agreement's conditions provide for benefits and impose specific obligations that could prove to be significant and should be examined by an attorney who has experience with such agreements. We possess that experience since we have been reviewing and successfully negotiating severance agreements for years. The experienced NYC severance agreement attorneys at Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP protect clients' interests by identifying and making changes to the employment severance agreements when possible. We do our best to work into the agreements as many modifications as possible to further the interests of our clients. We will also highlight provisions in your agreement that must be weighed carefully by you before signing the agreements.
Why Choose Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP?
-
100+ Years of Collective Experience
-
Personalized & Compassionate Service
-
Award-Winning Legal Counsel
-
A Track Record of Success
Our Testimonials
Our Past Clients Speak to Our Experience
-
"Always available, conscientious and extremely knowledgeable."
Outstanding lawyer. Always available, conscientious and extremely knowledgeable. Excellent at following-up both with his clients and with opposing counsel. Regardless of the size of the case, Brian will put in the work and always treat his clients with the utmost professionalism and respect.
- N.W. -
"I trusted them entirely."
I received the most compassionate and professional assistance from SP&H. I felt that Mr. Heller truly cared about me and the situation I was in. He was able to be my voice during a difficult time. He responded promptly to any correspondence, took the time to explain to me any questions or concerns, and helped ease any kind of stress that I had during a dispute with a previous employer. I highly recommend this firm. You are not just a number, they treat you like family. I trusted them entirely. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your devoted time and effort in my legal matter.
- A.M. -
"Their integrity, personal attention, and knowledge are superior."Schwartz, Perry & Heller, LLP are the most skilled Lawyers for your discrimination case in the Tri-State area. Their integrity, personal attention, and knowledge are superior. They won my case and can win yours. Nothing beats the best.- D.K.
-
"Caring, smart, highly skilled negotiators"Davida Perry and Brian Heller are very caring, attentive and highly skilled negotiators who gave me expert representation to win my negotiation and achieve my goals.- D.
-
"Words are inadequate to express how truly grateful I am to Schwartz & Perry, especially Brian Heller for his help."Words are inadequate to express how truly grateful I am to Schwartz & Perry, especially Brian Heller for his help. I first met Mr. Schwartz and Brian Heller a few years ago when I was working at an international firm in an IT role when I contacted them for the free consultation because I felt that I was being setup to be fired. I knew I was being treated unfairly by my manager. I felt utterly helpless and had no idea who to turn to. After meeting with Mr. Schwartz and Brian Heller, I came to understand that the unfair treatment I endured was actually discrimination. They counselled me through being fired and negotiating a settlement; an extremely upsetting and exhausting experience. They explained the rules of employment law while treating me with dignity and kindness. Due to the skill and knowledge of these attorneys, I received a substantial settlement and was able to move on to another company with my self-respect intact and without the financial hardship that would have resulted from losing my job. They also ensured that this employer could not damage my reputation going forward with future employers. Recently, when I had another issue with a different employer; I called Brian Heller right away. I knew that Brian, being extremely well versed on the latest employment laws, would be able to help me. Brian carefully guided me and I was able to “ride the wave” of unprofessionalism and threats of litigation coming my way from my former employer’s attorney. My former employer thought that they could bully and frighten me into staying with them longer so that my new job opportunity would no longer be available, and then they could let me go when it was convenient for them - and I’d be out of work. They didn’t know that I have a Secret Weapon – Brian Heller! Once Brian was on the case, those threats ceased and I was able to accept my new wonderful job and leave the worry and stress behind. I highly recommend Brian Heller and Schwartz & Perry as a firm. Over the years Brian has always treated me with kindness and respect and I have peace of mind because I have someone I trust who is on my side, who can guide me and who is willing and extremely capable of protecting my rights.- Former Client
-
"From day 1 of the consultation to the very end I felt like the most important client to the firm."Amazing team of Attorneys. From day 1 of the consultation to the very end I felt like the most important client to the firm. Brian Heller who I dealt with personally was amazing. Whether it was a call or email responses were very prompt and I was kept informed every step of the way. Even a few calls just to check in and say hello. Truly an incredible experience and I would recommend them to anyone seeking justice. If they take your case they will fight with you to the end. A+- D.W.
-
"We remain tremendously grateful for his support and look forward to working with him again."On short notice, Brian Heller reviewed contracts with complex international dimensions and found important discrepancies that I and other senior-level executives had missed completely. He was fast, thorough, and detail-oriented in providing pragmatic advice that enabled us to be sure that we were getting the fairest and best possible treatment under the law. We remain tremendously grateful for his support and look forward to working with him again.- Eric
-
"Davida Perry not only did an amazing job calming down my nerves but she fought for me tooth and nail and did a great job securing what my past employer owed me."After having a terrible experience at my last job, facing the anxiety again of having to rehash the treatment was daunting. Davida Perry not only did an amazing job calming down my nerves but she fought for me tooth and nail and did a great job securing what my past employer owed me. I won’t lie, there were moments I wanted to give up, but Davida was always there to help me stay focused and realize that I didn’t need to let them win. She was really great at countering all of their arguments, I pity anyone that would try to prove her wrong. She thought of everything we need and kept me constantly updated. Mostly what I appreciated about Davida was her kindness, and her genuine care for my mental health. She wanted to make sure I was taking care of myself during a very trying time. I cannot recommend this firm enough. They all clearly care about their clients and want to do best for you. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself, and if you’re worried about the challenges that lie ahead be sure to team with Schwartz Perry & Heller, they will have your back and fight for justice.- T.B.