Employment Contract Negotiation & Review Lawyer in Boston
Starting a new job can be an exciting time, but it can also be stressful if you’re trying to negotiate a new contract. Employment agreements in Massachusetts are legally binding documents that dictate not only your current compensation but also your future career mobility and financial security.
Before you sign on the dotted line, having an employment contract lawyer in Boston review your document can mean the difference between a thriving career and costly legal restrictions. The team at Gordon Law Group is here to provide these services and more, ensuring your contract is always in your best interest.
What to Look for in Your Employment Contract
An employment agreement should clearly define the mutual expectations between you and your employer. When analyzing a contract, a skilled attorney ensures that all verbal promises made during the interview process are accurately reflected in writing.
Key elements to look for include:
Compensation and Bonus Structures
Beyond base salary, the contract must explicitly state how bonuses, commissions, and performance evaluations are calculated, earned, and paid out. Also look at benefits and perks, such as paid time off, remote work, and flexible scheduling.
Termination and Severance Terms
It is vital to understand the definitions of all severance and termination terms. Everything should be clearly stated to avoid confusion or error. If you don’t understand something, ask.
Job Duties and Scope
Ensure your title, reporting structure, and core responsibilities are defined. If they are not, you may be asked to perform job duties you did not think pertained to you. When everything is in writing, both sides clearly know what is included in the job duties and what is not.
Clauses That Can Hurt You
Many standard employer-drafted contracts contain language that heavily favors the company. Without a dedicated employee contract negotiation strategy, you could accidentally agree to terms that restrict your professional freedom or forfeit valuable assets.
Non-Compete and Restrictive Clauses
Massachusetts has strict laws regarding the enforceability of non-compete agreements. However, overly broad non-competes, non-solicitation clauses, and strict confidentiality mandates can still severely limit your ability to find work.
Intellectual Property Assignment
Invention assignment clauses often state that any intellectual property, code, or creative work you generate during your employment belongs entirely to the employer. It is crucial to carve out exceptions for personal projects or pre-existing work to protect your personal innovations. If not, much of your hard work may not be truly attributed to you, since the company has no legal duty to do so.
Equity and Stock Options
If your compensation package includes stock options, Restricted Stock Units, or equity grants, read the fine print. You must closely review vesting schedules, acceleration clauses in the event of a company sale, and the exact window of time you have to exercise options after you leave.
These clauses can be extremely difficult to understand. At Gordon Law Group, we are here to explain them to you and navigate them so that you have all of the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your employment contract.
How We Negotiate Better Terms
Negotiating an employment contract is about establishing a balanced, mutually beneficial professional relationship. We leverage deep knowledge of Massachusetts employment law to advocate for your best interests behind the scenes or directly with your future employer’s legal counsel.
When you work with Gordon Law Group, we are here to represent you and your best interests.
These are just some of the benefits you can expect:
- Identifying Red Flags: We pinpoint hidden liabilities and restrictive language that could jeopardize your career mobility or financial future.
- Drafting Protective Language: We counter unfair clauses with tailored amendments, ensuring clear definitions for bonus payouts, non-competes, and severance packages.
- Maximizing Leverage: Whether you are an executive, a software engineer, or a medical professional, we help you use your market value to secure higher signing bonuses and better equity terms.
FAQ About Employment Contract Negotiations
When is the best time to start negotiating the contract?
The best time to negotiate a contract is after you have received the official written offer but before you sign it. Do not attempt to negotiate terms during the initial interview stages. You have not been hired yet, and you simply don’t have the leverage. Once you have the offer in hand, express your enthusiasm for the role and request a few days to review the contract details. Be sure to ask plenty of questions so that everything is extremely clear.
What can be negotiated besides the base salary?
If a company cannot move on the base salary due to strict budget caps, there are many other high-value components you can negotiate. These can include:
- Sign-on bonuses or guaranteed performance bonuses
- Equity packages, including stock options or Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
- Severance packages, ensuring a guaranteed payout period if you are terminated without cause
- Remote work flexibility or a hybrid schedule written directly into the agreement
- Extra paid time off or professional development stipends
Do I really need an employment lawyer to review my contract?
Having an employment attorney review your contract is highly recommended, especially for executive-level roles or contracts containing strict non-compete clauses. A lawyer can spot hidden liabilities that you might miss.
Contact Us Today to Learn More About Employment Contract Negotiations
The Gordon Law Group is here to protect your career and your earning potential. We will work on your behalf, review all contracts, and advise you on actions in your best interest. Our team has the experience you can rely on for employment contract negotiations.
Call us today at 617-536-1800 or reach out to us online to schedule a consultation.
