Your years of dedication, exceptional performance, and earned bonuses should be reflected in your severance agreement. If you were terminated after 5+ years of service, had a strong performance record, and were denied earned bonuses, you have the right to negotiate a better severance package.
Your company has an employment lawyer. So should you.
At Kaplan Employment Law, we specialize in negotiating high-value severance agreements for professionals who:
- Have worked 5+ years for their employer
- Were terminated for reasons unrelated to performance
- Had earned bonuses, commissions, or stock options that were not paid
- Are high earners with complex compensation structures
Before signing anything, schedule a free consultation. Your severance package should reflect your contributions and successes.
What is a Severance Agreement?
A severance agreement is a legally binding contract outlining the terms of separation between an employer and an employee. In exchange for financial compensation or benefits, the employee agrees to conditions such as:
- Waiving legal claims
- Non-disparagement clauses
- Confidentiality agreements
- Non-compete restrictions
For high-earning professionals, severance agreements can include unpaid bonuses, stock options, and commissions. Employers often attempt to minimize these payouts—negotiation is key to ensuring you receive everything you’ve earned.
Don’t sign away your financial security—speak to an attorney first.
Why Severance Agreements Are Negotiable—Especially for Long-Term, High-Performing Employees
Many professionals believe severance agreements are non-negotiable, or that doing so is not worth their time. This is not true. Employers expect executives and professionals to negotiate, particularly those with 5+ years of service and a track record of success.
You have strong leverage to negotiate a better severance package.
- Had an excellent performance history
- Were terminated after 5+ years of service
- Termination is unrelated to restructuring or budget cuts
- Had unpaid bonuses, commissions, or stock that was denied
- Have a potential legal claim for wrongful termination
Kaplan Employment Law ensures you are paid what you’ve earned and protected from restrictive clauses that could harm your career.
Why High-Income Earners Need a Severance Agreement Lawyer
1. Direct Negotiation & Deal-Making with the Company’s Lawyers
Without a lawyer, you’re stuck negotiating with HR, which almost always claims the severance offer is “non-negotiable.” An employment attorney moves the conversation to the employer’s legal team, where real deals happen. Lawyers speak the same language—ensuring a stronger, more strategic negotiation.
2. Maximizing Your Leverage
Every severance package is different. An attorney identifies leverage points, counters employer tactics, and ensures you’re paid what you’re owed, including bonuses, commissions, and stock options.
3. Evaluating a Potential Wrongful Termination Claim
Companies offer severance to avoid legal risk. If you have a strong claim for wrongful termination, your lawyer can use it as leverage to increase your payout and protect future claims.
4. Reviewing & Explaining the Contract
Severance agreements are dense legal documents with hidden risks. Your lawyer will review every clause, explain your obligations, and ensure you fully understand what you’re signing.
5. Adding Provisions to Protect Your Future
A well-negotiated severance should protect more than your paycheck—it should safeguard your career and reputation. A severance agreement lawyer can negotiate:
- Narrower non-compete and non-solicit clauses
- Stronger non-disparagement protections
- Favorable confidentiality terms
How Kaplan Employment Law Negotiates Severance Agreements
We use a proven strategy to maximize severance packages for high-earning professionals:
- Comprehensive Review – We analyze your severance offer, performance history, and unpaid earnings to identify leverage points.
- Custom Negotiation Strategy – We craft a proposal that addresses compensation, restrictive covenants, and legal protections.
- Direct Negotiation with Employer’s Legal Team – Employers take negotiations seriously when an attorney handles the process.
- Final Agreement Review – We ensure you understand every clause before signing and that the terms reflect your best interests.
Our focus: securing the maximum compensation and protecting your career.
Common Employer Tactics to Reduce Your Severance Pay
Employer Tactics in Negotiations
Employers use aggressive tactics to deny you the full severance you deserve. Common strategies include:
- Firing you right before a bonus or stock vesting date
- Claiming severance is “non-negotiable”
- Pressuring you to sign quickly before consulting a lawyer
- Using vague language to deny commissions and bonuses
These are tactics—not legal barriers. We help you fight back by reviewing your severance agreement and guiding you towards a more secure future.
We Make the Difference in Your Story.
Severance Agreement Negotiations FAQs
Can I Negotiate My Severance Agreement on My Own?
Employers use intimidation tactics against unrepresented employees. They claim severance is final—but it’s almost always negotiable. Let Kaplan Employment Law handle the negotiations while you focus on your future.
Do Employers Expect High-Earning Employees to Negotiate?
Yes. Employers assume professionals will negotiate—many severance agreements even recommend consulting an attorney. Failing to negotiate could leave money and benefits on the table.
Can My Employer Revoke the Severance Agreement if I Hire a Lawyer?
No employer has ever revoked an offer for any client of Kaplan Employment Law. Companies expect employees to consult a lawyer—every severance agreement includes this advisement.
While a counteroffer technically rejects the initial offer, employers do not retaliate by revoking severance. We approach negotiations with professionalism, ensuring a smooth process that gets the best deal done. Hiring a lawyer signals that you take your rights seriously—it does not mean losing your severance.
How Long Does It Take to Negotiate a Severance Agreement?
Negotiations generally take about a week but can vary depending on the employer’s responsiveness and the complexity of the agreement.
What Factors Influence the Amount Offered in a Severance Agreement?
Several factors impact the severance amount, including:
- Your length of service with the company.
- Your salary, bonuses, and other compensation structures.
- The circumstances of your departure (layoff, termination, mutual separation).
- Your company’s standard severance practices.
- Potential legal claims you may have, such as discrimination or wrongful termination.
What Should I Do If My Employer Pressures Me to Sign Quickly?
Do not sign before speaking with an attorney. Employers impose deadlines to create urgency—but you have the right to legal review.
Contact Kaplan Employment Law to Protect Your Interests
You worked years to build your career—don’t settle for an unfair severance package.
At Kaplan Employment Law, we negotiate severance agreements for high-income professionals nationwide. Attorney Brett Kaplan ensures you receive the compensation, benefits, and protections you deserve. Take control of your severance agreement and your future. Schedule your consultation with a Florida severance agreement negotiation lawyer now.
