The Executive Compensation and Employment Strategies attorneys at Norris McLaughlin work within the Labor and Employment Practice Group to bring creative strategies supported by a wealth of experience and knowledge to both employers and executive employees in a wide range of industries, including financial services, marketing, advertising, manufacturing, healthcare, design, branding, publishing, fashion, engineering, real estate, and pharmaceutical, among others.

The Executive Compensation and Employment Strategies Group provides legal counsel to both for-profit and not-for-profit companies and organizations which are seeking to recruit and retain top executives, as well as key executives and employees, by advising in all aspects of HR compliance, executive retention and compensation, including such events as employment changes, personnel downsizing, or an organizational change of control. The Group provides representation to executive employees in all phases of their employment, from the commencement of employment through termination and separation. Our services also include workplace investigations, employee handbooks and the full HR portfolio from on-boarding through termination.

Our attorneys regularly structure and address the employment and other legal ramifications and regulatory compliance associated with all aspects of executive compensation and employment strategies, whether associated with service commencement, employment-based incentive compensation, or as part of a renewal or amendment of an existing employment or consulting services agreement or contract. In addition, our Group members are highly skilled in negotiating and drafting separation and severance agreements, plus confidentiality, work made for hire, non-solicitation, non-disparagement and non-compete agreements.

The members of the Executive Compensation and Employment Strategies Group recognize the critical importance of the provisions of an employment agreement, consulting services contract, severance arrangement or plan document. These include deferred compensation, equity-based compensation and incentive compensation arrangements, stock option and variable compensation arrangements, as well as change in control and bonus arrangements. As such, its attorneys believe that understanding a client’s goals and objectives starts with careful consideration of all aspects of the proposed arrangement.

While implementing the appropriate employment, compensation and benefits arrangements is key to protecting the interests of both the executive and the employer, we understand that maintaining these arrangements in compliance with all necessary laws and regulations benefits all parties.

Our group brings the experience of representing both organizations and employees to each engagement. This experience is key as it empowers our attorneys with insight and understanding of the other side’s positions, tactics, and strategies. This advantage ensures the benefit of each client, whether management or individual.

Our attorneys collaborate with members of the Labor and Employment, Litigation, Business Law, and Tax Practice Groups as required by the scope and needs of the particular engagement. The co-chairs of the Executive Compensation and Employment Strategies Group are active in presenting issues concerning the employment landscape from both employers’ and employees’ perspectives through their blog and podcast: The Employment Strategists.