Employment agreements are essential documents for employers and employees. These agreements create obligations for the employee and the employer. Structuring employment agreements is crucial to avoid unnecessary disputes. Working with an experienced employment law attorney can help you protect yourself when disputes arise.
Woods Lonergan PLLC provides valuable legal representation for businesses at all stages, from start-ups to established corporations. We can work with you to review your current employment agreements and draft any new agreements you may need. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and can assist you with any disputes regarding employment matters. We represent employees and employers. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.
We Protect the Interests of Employers and Employees
The business attorneys at Woods Lonergan have helped many employees and employers negotiate, draft, and litigate a wide range of employment agreements. These agreements can create obligations on employers and employees that can lead to costly, complex litigation. Employment disputes can also lead to business disruption when the relationship between employer and employee changes. At Woods Lonergan, our business attorneys have extensive experience drafting, analyzing, contesting, and enforcing a wide range of employment agreements.
Employers must draft and structure agreements carefully. It’s also essential for executives and employees to obtain qualified legal advice before signing an employment agreement. Many new employees will sign an employment agreement, confidentiality agreement, or other restrictive agreement without first discussing them with an attorney. The New York City employment attorneys at Woods Lonergan are prepared to help you analyze the employment contract you have been offered before you sign it.
Employment Contracts for New Employees
Employers may ask employees to sign an employment contract when they are hired or shortly thereafter. Employment agreements are crucial because they will set forth the terms of employment, the employee’s job responsibilities, and the employer’s responsibilities, including compensation. These types of agreements also govern non-compete, confidentiality, and intellectual property matters.
Employment Agreements: Negotiation and Mediation
Nearly every aspect of an employment agreement is subject to negotiation. For example, whether an employee is entitled to yearly bonuses and can be fired under the terms of the contract can be negotiated. Complex issues, such as the contract’s interpretation of confidentiality clauses, geographic scope, and what constitutes unlawful solicitation can arise during the negotiation stage.
At Woods Lonergan, our team of trial attorneys has extensive courtroom experience with a diverse and proven range of skills in direct settlement negotiations and mediation. We have experience with other forms of alternative dispute resolution, which can help our clients significantly when dealing with employment matters. We use creativity and resourcefulness, in addition to our legal knowledge, to help employees and employers come to terms when disputes arise.
Non-Disclosure/Confidentiality Agreements
Non-disclosure agreements (NDA) are intended to protect an employer by keeping confidential information private. NDAs protect client lists, trade secrets, and other proprietary information that an employee may learn while working for the company. Employees are often asked to sign non-disclosure agreements when they are hired. Employers have a valid interest in protecting their confidential information, but some confidentiality agreements and NDAs are unfair for employees.
When a confidentiality agreement lasts too long after an employee is no longer with the company or is overly broad, the court may strike it down. If you are an employer, it’s wise to work with an attorney who can help you create NDA’s that are legally valid and protect your interest. If you are an employee with questions about what is covered under your NDA, we can help you understand your rights.
Non-Compete Agreements
Employers may ask an employee to sign a non-compete agreement as a condition of employment. These agreements require an employee to refrain from being employed by a competitor of the business for a specific time frame after he or she stops working for the employer.
Usually, these agreements will prohibit an employee from starting a company that will compete with the employer or take the employer’s customers away. Non-compete agreements must meet several requirements to be valid. They need to be reasonable in terms of the geographical area and temporal scope, protect legitimate business interests, and provide the employee with consideration, including compensation, for complying.
Employment Agreements: Severance Agreements
An employer may ask an employee to sign a severance agreement before or immediately after being fired. The benefit of a severance agreement involves compensation for the employee. In exchange, the employee gives away some of their legal rights. For example, severance agreements usually prohibit an employee from bringing a lawsuit against the employer. It’s important that employees think twice before they sign a severance agreement. It’s wise to discuss the agreement with an attorney before signing it.
Why You Need an Experienced Employment Agreements Attorney on Your Side
Business owners are often busy and may not want to work with an attorney to draft thorough agreements. They may use boilerplate agreements from the internet to save money and time. Unfortunately, these types of contracts can cause extensive problems in the future. They are generic and not tailored to an individual business. In many cases, an attorney may never review boilerplate contracts purchased from the internet. When you work with an attorney at Woods Lonergan to draft an employment agreement, you can be assured that we will protect all of your needs and goals and keep them in mind when drafting your contract.
Our attorneys have represented clients in a wide range of industries, including physicians, accountants, entertainers, businesses, and more. We have extensive knowledge of New York contract laws and will ensure that the contract is enforceable.
Discuss Your Employment Agreement With an Experienced Attorney
At Woods Lonergan, we believe that every employee should be treated fairly by his or her employer, especially when it comes to their terms of employment. We also believe that businesses benefit from working with attorneys who can draft effective employment agreements. If you are involved in an employment dispute, you need an experienced attorney by your side. Contact Woods Lonergan to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you.