Effectively managing employee compensation and benefits, especially for key executives, is among the most important and sensitive issues that any company faces. Our firm offers a diverse, multi-disciplinary team of lawyers with expertise in employment law, corporate and securities law, litigation, tax law, employee benefits law and labor law. Effective coordination of these areas of expertise allows the firm to provide comprehensive and efficient representation to both executives and employers in negotiating and executing employment agreements as well as providing ongoing advice and counsel.
Whether representing the executive or the employer, we consider all issues related to employment agreements, such as:
- Determination of base compensation and bonus arrangements
- Circumstances of termination (with or without cause)
- Compensation due upon termination — severance and benefits
- Restrictive and confidentiality covenants
- Non-compete and non-solicitation agreements
- Tax issues related to employment agreements
Many executives receive an opportunity to participate in the equity ownership of their employers, through stock options, straight purchases of equity or stock appreciation rights. We can counsel the executive in complying with tax law, and negotiating equity compensation and deferred compensation plans, and can assist employers in designing, preparing and implementing equity compensation plans for corporate executives.
A well-drafted employment agreement can address many issues in the event of employment terminations, but complications can still arise when the executive is terminated “for cause” or when the executive is in a protected class due to age, gender or ethnic group. We provide counsel and advice to corporations prior to terminations, often determining effective communication and positioning strategies. We have negotiated numerous release and separation agreements between the executive and the employer, but if the issues related to the termination cannot be settled, we are equipped to represent either side in court, in arbitration, or before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Litigation at times occurs between executives and employers. Typical issues we address for our clients include terminations, both with and without cause; whether the executive violated a non-compete agreement; and the enforceability of such agreements.
Contact Us
For questions regarding executive employment issues, contact us. We are located near Belt Line Road and the Dallas North Tollway. Call us at (972) 701-7000 or (866) 240-5197.
