A Severance Lawyer Can Help You Get a Better Package

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First, Find Out if You Have a Case

Severance agreements are written with the employer’s best interests in mind — not yours.

A severance lawyer may be able to negotiate a better deal for you, as many employers are more willing to negotiate once you get a lawyer involved.

Our Dallas severance attorneys will help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your situation, determine whether what you were offered is fair, and aggressively negotiate for a better severance package

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Here's Your Action Plan:

Take your time before your sign. Review the package in detail, analyze the offer, and negotiate or retain a lawyer to assist you. If you are over 40, employers are required to allow you a minimum of 21 days to consider the offer. You need to fully understand the agreement, weigh your options, and decide whether to negotiate for better terms.

Locate relevant documentation (your original offer letter; employee handbook;, information on the company severance plan; emails concerning issues that may be grounds to claim wrongful termination or unfair treatment; documentation of your health and disability insurance, retiree medical benefits, vacation time, compensation, and stock options; non-compete, intellectual property inventions, non-disclosure, and mandatory arbitration agreements). This will help determine exactly what has been offered to you, what has been left out, and whether you can improve your severance through negotiation.

If you were terminated because you belong to a protected class, due to an illness or disability, as a matter of retaliation, or in violation of a written or implied contract, you may have grounds to claim wrongful termination or to negotiate a better severance package. If you sign a severance agreement without negotiation, you likely will be giving away these rights forever.

Most of the time, severance agreements are negotiable, but in some situations, an employer may be able to revoke an offer of severance if you reject the offer. You will never know whether your employer will negotiate unless you ask.

The most common terms to negotiate include total compensation (cash, bonuses, stock options, unused vacation time, etc.), insurance coverage, disability benefits, letters of recommendation or a favorable statement regarding your “voluntary separation,” outplacement assistance, your ability to exercise stock options, and terms of or release from any non-compete.

Often an experienced lawyer can help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your situation. Further, a lawyer may be able to negotiate a better deal for you as many employers are more willing to negotiate once you get a lawyer involved.

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    An Experienced Severance Attorney Can Help

    Jackson Spencer - Your Severance Action Plan
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    Agreement Review

    A word-for-word explanation of the agreement to make sure you understand the terms and implications of what you were offered. We will suggest revisions to the agreement to insure you (a) receive the best package possible, and (b) are not saddled with onerous requirements that could make it difficult to get a new job.

    Circumstances Review

    A review of the circumstances of your employment and termination. We can often find ways for you to get a better severance package.

    Individualized Plan

    An individualized plan reflecting your particular circumstances, leverage, and negotiation needs – including advice on how to potentially obtain more money.

    Employer Negotiation

    We will negotiate directly with your employer to enhance the severance package. It is often quite helpful to have an experienced severance attorney negotiate on your behalf to demonstrate that you are serious about getting a fair package.

    Our Attorneys

    Fighting for Employees in Texas

    Experienced. Knowledgable. Caring.

    The attorneys at Jackson Spencer Law are here for you.  We know the law — and we know the rights and protections that employers owe to their workers. Whether it’s negotiating a severance package or a settlement with an employer, navigating the complexities of a whistleblower case, or taking a discrimination lawsuit to court — let our Texas legal team go to work for you.

    Attorney Jennifer Spencer on phone

    Jennifer Spencer

    Attorney

    An experienced trial lawyer and CPA known for her aggressive, organized, and highly effective litigation style, Jennifer Spencer is a champion for the rights of those who have been wrongfully terminated, discriminated against, sexually harassed, terminated after whistleblowing, passed over for promotions or otherwise wrongfully treated in the workplace.

      Attorney Neal Bridges at his computer

      Neal Bridges

      Attorney

      Neal Bridges approaches every employment matter with the understanding that he’s not only delivering justice for his clients, but also peace of mind and hope for the future. He is experienced in a wide array of employment law situations, from negotiating severance agreements to representing clients in litigation over wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, or retaliation.

      James Hunnicut

      James Hunnicutt

      Attorney

      James Hunnicutt’s entire professional history has been focused on advocating for those who have been taken advantage of and treated unfairly. He draws on his background as a consumer protection lawyer to advocate for employees who have been treated unfairly in the workplace, and he works aggressively and thoroughly to vindicate employees’ rights.

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