Atlanta Executive Contracts & Compensation Attorneys
Experienced employment law attorneys for executives throughout Georgia
Many high-level employees have written contracts with their employers. These contracts often provide different types of compensation, incentives, and duties than most employees receive. In the best of times, such as when the business is doing well financially, the employer is willing to readily pay executives all the compensation the contract authorizes.
In the worst of times, such as when business falters or personal relationships don’t work out, some employers refuse to pay their executives their just desserts. That’s where Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP helps. Our Atlanta employment law attorneys have been recognized by legal rating organizations and by other attorneys for the work we do on behalf of clients. We’ll hold your employer to its obligations under the employment contract.
This was my first time having to seek legal counsel on an employment issue so I was a bit nervous about the process. I was referred to Ed Buckley by a friend I respect and trust, and one that has over 20 years of experience in law. Mr. Buckley made the process much less intimidating for me. Many thanks to Mr. Buckley and team for helping me. I'd definitely hire them again. – Google review
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How can we help?
- How does your firm fight for executive employees?
- Which types of employees have written employment contracts in Atlanta?
- What kinds of executive pay disputes do you handle?
- Disputes arising from severance agreements
- How are executive contract and compensation disputes resolved in Atlanta?
- Do you have an executive contracts & compensation attorney near me?
How does your firm fight for executive employees?
Our Atlanta employment law attorneys at Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP have nearly a century of combined experience in reviewing, negotiating, and litigating executive compensation and severance agreements. If your employer asks you to sign an employment or executive compensation agreement, we can help you review the terms, and negotiate a more favorable package for you.
You helped your employer prosper. It’s only just that you be paid in full for your time and services to your employer. If your employer fails to pay your full benefits or discharges you (rightfully or wrongfully), we can help you obtain all the compensation you deserve while protecting your employment rights.
Our Atlanta executive contract and compensation attorneys work with financial experts to properly value the compensation and benefits you deserve.
Which types of employees have written employment contracts in Atlanta?
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP represents all types of company executives. Executives include members of the board of directors, trustees, and corporate officers. Executives also include employees who have unique business, technical, and financial skills. Among the most “valued” employees in a company are employees who are good at generate business for their employers.
Many executives are categorized as C-suite or C-level executives because they are the “chief” person in the company or a division of the company. Company C-level executives include:
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- Chief Operating or Operations Officer (COO)
- Chief Information Officer (CIO)
- Chief Investment Officer (CIO)
- Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
- Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
- Chief Technology or Technical Officer (CTO)
- Chief Finance or Financial Officer (CFO)
- Chief Legal Officer (CLO)
Companies are constantly adding new C-level executive positions, according to Executive Career Brand, including:
- Chief Revenue Officer (CRO)
- Chief Communications Officer (CCO)
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Chief Accounting Officer (CAO)
- Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
- Chief Contracting Officer (CCO)
- Chief Risk Officer (CRO)
- Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO)
What kinds of executive pay disputes do you handle?
If you are being offered an executive compensation agreement, there are likely to be a number of complex tax, ERISA, and other issues that you need an attorney to review very carefully before signing. You also need an experienced Atlanta employment law attorney when disputes arise about any of these issues. Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP assists executives facing contract and compensation violations and disputes arising from:
- Salary
- Deferred compensation
- Stock options
- Restricted stock
- Taxes
- Loans
- Bonuses and commissions
- Retirement benefits
- Medical, dental, disability, and life insurance
- Expense reimbursements
- Travel perks
- Relocation benefits
- Legal and tax fee reimbursement
- Post-retirement medical and life insurance
- Scope of termination for cause
- Severance benefits
- Change of control provisions
We also represent executives when there are partnership disputes and buyout disputes.
In addition, we represent executive employees who are fired or being pressured to retire due to disability, age, sex, race and other reasons.
Disputes arising from severance agreements
At the end of your employment, you may be asked to sign a severance agreement. Severance agreements are agreements in which your employer agrees to give you a number of benefits, including:
- Salary continuation for a specified period. Often, the amount of severance pay is a multiple of the years you worked for your employer times your salary for a week (or other pay period).
- Outplacement assistance.
- A continuation of your health insurance.
There’s a steep price for these benefits. You need to sign a release of liability form where you agree not to sue your employer for any claims arising out of your employment
Severance agreements can be incredibly complex, and if not carefully reviewed before you sign, you may:
- Have obliged yourself to a non-compete or non-solicitation clause, which could seriously impair your ability to find or take a new job.
- Waived your right to contest being fired or adversely affected at work for discriminatory reasons, in violation of the contract, or for other reasons.
- Waived your right to file any other employment claim.
- Waived your right to file a retaliation claim.
- Waived your right to file a sexual discrimination, harassment or sexual assault claim.
Our Atlanta executive contract and compensation lawyers review with Atlanta executives:
- What claims the employee is waiving and the possible value of those claims.
- What work restrictions they are consenting to by accepting the agreement.
- The possibility of negotiating for additional compensation or less severe restrictions.
- The tax consequences since compensation is normally taxable.
- How the severance agreement affects an employee’s right to unemployment compensation.
- How the severance agreement affects the employee’s health insurance.
- The danger of not being paid in full if the employer goes out of business before the terms of the severance agreement are met.
Once you sign a release, you will not be able to assert your rights unless there was fraud or some other wrongdoing. At Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP, we’ll review your options and rights – but only if you meet with us before signing any employment contracts or papers.
How are executive contract and compensation disputes resolved in Atlanta?
Many employers include mandatory arbitration provisions in their employment contracts with executives. This means that your employment dispute will be heard and decided by a panel of arbitrators instead of a jury. Our Atlanta executive contract and compensation attorneys will explain when your case must be heard by arbitrators. We are skilled at selecting fair arbitrators and trying employment cases before an arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators.
If the written contract does not have an arbitration provision, then your executive compensation claim will be filed in the Georgia state courts.
Do you have an executive contracts & compensation attorney near me?
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP meets executives at our office in Atlanta located at 600 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 3900. We conduct phone and video consultations by appointment, and proudly serve clients throughout Georgia, including those in Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, and Savannah.
Our employment attorneys represent many skilled clients who deserve to be compensated fully for all the ways they benefit their employer and help their employer grow.
Contact our Atlanta employment attorneys now
Don’t sign any contracts or documents until Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP has had an opportunity to review them, explain your rights, and discuss your options. You may be waiving valuable rights. You may be entitled to more benefits or more value for your benefits than you think. Once you sign a severance agreement or any other employment agreement, you can’t renegotiate. Our Atlanta executive contract and compensation lawyers are respected across Atlanta and Georgia for our strong representation of all employees including C-suite executives. To obtain full value for your work, please call or contact us today.
Related information on executive contracts and compensation in Georgia: