Negotiating Terms of Chief Legal Officer Employment Contract

 September 2025 edition

I hope this email finds you and your family in good health. We are now in our last weeks of summer, with vacations now over or ending, Labor Day and its cook-outs and other fun associated activities, all now past us, as we look forward to Autumn and a return to our usual routines. So, for most of us, the time for the beach and ocean swimming is now past, but still September is a great time for long walks, hikes and bike rides, and later this month, apple picking and the New England fall foliage season.

These are good times for Boston Red Sox fans with long win steaks in July and August, and a winning ball club anchored by a stellar starting pithing rotation of Garret Crochet, Bryan Bello and Lucas Giolito, with Garrett Whitlock and closer Aroldis Chapman. Thus, through Labor Day, the Sox are 15 games over .500 and would make the playoffs. I have been fortunate to attend a number of thrilling Red Sox victories these last two months including two walk-offs with he Sox sporting their walk-off greens. In close games, where Alex Cora calls for his closer, it has also been fun to see the entrance of Chapman into game when the Sox do a video tribute to the late Luis Tiant who passed away last October. Here is footage, with the title “Aroldis Chapman pays tribute to Luis Tiant and Celia Cruz upon entering the ballgame (Google translate from Spanish), credit to and posted by Yuni Sport. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy7bJXjV8Q4

Meanwhile, the Patriots after going 2–1 in pre-season games, will have their first real test this Sunday when the Las Vegas Raiders travel to Foxboro. With a new season springs new hope. After a 4–13 record last year, it would be stretch for the Patriots to reach .500 or to make the playoffs. But with new coach Mike Vrabel, a graduate of the Patriots Glory years, and returning offensive play caller Josh McDaniels who will no doubt aid the development of second-year quarterback Drake Maye chances for a better season seem enhanced. Plus, the Patriots used free agency and the draft to bolster the line of scrimmage, while adding key veterans including among receivers. So, fingers crossed for the opener Sunday and better season to follow.

As for Newsletter items, item #1 provides a link to an article of mine, published six days ago in CEOWORLD magazine designed for attorneys in private practice or in the public sector or already in house for a company, on key terms to seek and for which to negotiate if you are offered the position of Chief Legal Officer (CLO). This newsletter also has links, in items #3 and #4, to two other earlier articles of mine, one published by the IVYEXEC career advancement site, on terms to seek in C-level and senior executive job offers, and the second published in CEOWORLD magazine, on using your “ace in the hole” in C-level executive contract negotiations, including job offers, severance and consulting contracts. There is also a special offer as item #5. I hope some of these items might be of benefit… and my best wishes to all for the rest of September!

1. Negotiating Terms of Chief Legal Officer Employment Contract

Are you an attorney in private practice or in the public sector? or are you already in house counsel for a company? and … are you now considering or already received an offer to be Chief Legal Officer (CLO) in your current company or a different company? The CLO role will likely be a big step-up for you to a role likely much bigger than the role you have had. The CLO plays a pivotal role in protecting the company and guiding it forward. My new article, published last Thursday in CEOWORLD magazine, discusses the elevated status of CLO over that of General Counsel or other in house roles and then goes on to discuss that and the key areas every CLO should consider including your negotiations over your executive agreement terms. Read the Article Here

2. Work with CEOs, C-Suite and Senior Executives, exclusively.

Robert Adelson is an attorney specialized in the representation of CEOs, C-level and senior executives. He no longer represents companies or employers. Learn about Robert Adelson’s work with CEOs, C-level and senior executives to advise on and improve job offers, employment contracts, stock, RSUs, options, bonuses and other executive compensation matters, plus advice and aid on issues of wrongful termination, severance, exit terms, retention, change of control, other executive issues and more … More Details Here

3. Key Terms to Negotiate in your next Executive Job Offer

Are you actively considering new CEO, C-level or senior executive position? Have you received a job offer? Are you now or will you shortly be negotiating the terms of your executive job offer or employment contract? My article published by IVYEXEC career advancement site, in October 2023. explores the key terms that are negotiable and the kinds of things to seek as you negotiate your next executive employment job offer. Read the Article Here

4. Using Your Ace in the Hole in Executive Contract Negotiations

Have you ever considered keeping and using an ace in the hole in your executive contract negotiations? My article published a year ago in late August 2024 by CEOWORLD magazine discusses just that: how keeping and using an ace in the hole can help you in negotiations over executive contacts, including job offers, employment agreements, separation agreements and contracts for consulting. Read the Article Here

5. 9/2025 Offer: Good until Sept, 30th

This 4-week value-packed offer, is as a way to get introduced to my law work: an Executive Employment Job Offer Law Diagnostic — this offer is good through 9/30/25. More Details Here

It’s always a pleasure to get back in touch with you and other clients, friends, and colleagues. I hope the links and information provided will be useful to you and that there will be an opportunity for me to work with you on legal matters in the near future.

Let’s keep in touch!

Best regards,

Rob

Robert Adelson

*Adelson & Associates, LLC
Executive Employment Attorney
101 Federal Street, 19th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 204–5601 Law Firm
(617) 204–5602 Direct
(617) 204–5604 Fax
Email: rob@attorneyadelson.com
Website: www.executiveemploymentattorney.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-adelson-b8a1557/
Blog: https://robadelson.wordpress.com/
X: @AttorneyAdelson

Note on Adelson & Associates, LLC:* Robert A. Adelson is the Principal of Adelson & Associates, LLC. For fifteen (15) years, from October 2004 through December 2019, Robert Adelson practiced law and referred legal work to associates of his, trusted and experienced colleagues, as a partner of Engel & Schultz, LLP. In December 2019, the lead partners of the firm announced they would go into semi-retirement, go their separate ways, and the office lease would expire in January 2020. In response, Robert Adelson formed Adelson & Associates, LLC in December 2019 and commenced the new firm’s operations on January 1, 2020, with the new firm taking over, on that date and going forward, all current Robert Adelson clients, matters and operations, as well as all referral of legal work to associates of Robert Adelson. Since 1/1/2020, the firm’s offices have been and remain at 101 Federal Street, 19th Floor, across the street from the pre-2020 offices at One Federal Street, 21st Floor, in Boston’s Financial District.

What C-Suite Executives Should Know About Non-Compete Agreements

 

August 2025 edition

We are now well into summer. Hopefully, you and your family are taking some time to enjoy all of your favorite summer time activities. Whether you most enjoy cookouts, picnics, clambakes, time at the beach and seashore, or the lakes, swimming, sailing, biking, walking, hiking or out at the golf links, attending concerts, I hope you are getting out to enjoy summer weather.

Perhaps too, you’ve been able to spend one or more evenings taking in a ballgame live at Fenway Park or even seeing the AAA WooSox at cozy Polar Park on Worcester (as I did recently the WooSox lost, but great post-game fireworks!). In any case, I very much hope you and yours are enjoying summer fun.

Just a bit more on the parent ballclub back in Boston. I had the pleasure of seeing two of the Red Sox victories in the club’s July ten-game winning streak. This included seeing, with Don Goldberg, the Sox wild 5–4 win over the Rays that ended with Ceddanne Rafaela’s two-run, walk-off home run in the 9th inning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqVoiNrD4f4 That homer soared way over our heads in LF, a rocket way over the Green Monster. That fabulous game ending very much reminded me of Manny Ramirez’s walkoff homer over the Angels in the 2007 ALDS, a great ballgame that I attended with Howard Levine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3Jyvo5ubhc So far the Sox have continued to win since the All Star Break and have continued to hold down a wild card spot in the standings. Thus, for the first time in a while, the Red Sox were “buyers” at the recent MLB trade deadline. It was at first disappointing the Sox did not do more before the July 31st trading deadline, especially compared to the major moves made by other contending teams (some on WEEI graded GM Craig Breslow’s pickups of two pitchers as a combined C- ). But Breslow did not want to trade Jarren Duran or Trevor Story or another key contributor that might harm winning chemistry. That strategy seems to have paid off so far, as the Sox keep on winning. As part of the team’s weekend sweep of the AL West leading Astros, this past Friday night, with bro Steve Adelson, we saw yet another BoSox walk off win. With the Sox again wearing their “walkoff greens”, uber rookie Roman Anthony delivered a walkoff hit for a 10th inning won over Houston before the largest crowd of the 2025 season, thus far, , 36,811 packed into Fenway Park. https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/video/red-soxs-anthony-belts-single-to-deep-centre-for-first-career-walk-off-hit/ plus “Love that dirty water” Boston victory song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0SFuSikmw4 So, you can be sure I am looking forward to attending more Sox games this August and September…and maybe more beyond Gosh, it sure would be fun to again see October baseball return to the Fens. We shall see.

As for Newsletter items, two weeks ago, IVYEXEC, the career advancement website, published my article (and this newsletter provides a link to this article) on important things for C-level and senior executives to know about non-compete covenants. This newsletter also has links, in items #3 and #4, to two other earlier published articles of mine. The first article published in CEOWORLD magazine, discusses benefits, but also potential risks, of Board of Director service by C-level and senior executives. The other article published in IVYEXEC offers tips, structures and strategies in negotiations over various types of executive bonus compensation. There is also a special offer as item #5. I hope some of these items might be of benefit… and my best wishes to all for the rest of August!

1. What Every C-Level Executive Should Know About Non-Competes

Are you a CEO or other senior executive being asked to sign a non-compete or non-solicitation agreement or an NDA in connection with a new position? My article offers tells you important things you should know while offering you insights and techniques to surmount the perils such agreements could pose to your career. Read the Article Here

2. Work with CEOs, C-Suite and Senior Executives, exclusively.

Robert Adelson is an attorney specialized in the representation of CEOs, C-level and senior executives. He no longer represents companies or employers. Learn about Robert Adelson’s work with CEOs, C-level and senior executives to advise on and improve job offers, employment contracts, stock, RSUs, options, bonuses and other executive compensation matters, plus advice and aid on issues of wrongful termination, severance, exit terms, retention, change of control, other executive issues and more … More Details Here

3. Executive Service on Corporate Boards of Directors

Are you a CEO or other senior executive who has been offered the opportunity to serve on corporate Boards of Directors in your own company and another company? My article published by CEOWORLD magazine in 2019 but still relevant today, advises on benefits, compensation, potential liabilities and needed protections to put in place for Board service. Read the Article Here

4. Structuring Bonuses for Maximum Benefit in Executive Compensation

Are you negotiating or “re-visiting” your executive compensation package in your job offer or employment contract? My article published in December 2024 by IVYEXEC career advancement website, suggests the right mix and tips on the structuring of signup, guaranteed and performance bonuses based on your performance and that of the company, plus key terms in bonus determination and payout.. Read the Article Here

5. 8/2025 Offer: Good until August 29th

This 3-plus-week value-packed offer, is as a way to get introduced to my law work: : an Executive Compensation Law Diagnostic — this offer is good through 8/29/25. More Details Here

It’s always a pleasure to get back in touch with you and other clients, friends, and colleagues. I hope the links and information provided will be useful to you and that there will be an opportunity for me to work with you on legal matters in the near future.

Let’s keep in touch!

Best regards,

Rob

Robert Adelson, Executive Employment Attorney

*Adelson & Associates, LLC
101 Federal Street, 19th Floor Boston, MA 02110

(617) 204–5601 Law Firm
(617) 204–5602 Direct
(617) 204–5604 Fax
Email : rob@attorneyadelson.com
Website: www.executiveemploymentattorney.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-adelson-b8a1557/
Blog: https://robadelson.wordpress.com/
X: @AttorneyAdelson

Note on Adelson & Associates, LLC: * Robert A. Adelson is the Principal of Adelson & Associates, LLC. For fifteen (15) years, from October 2004 through December 2019, Robert Adelson practiced law and referred legal work to associates of his, trusted and experienced colleagues, as a partner of Engel & Schultz, LLP. In December 2019, the lead partners of the firm announced they would go into semi-retirement, go their separate ways, and the office lease would expire in January 2020. In response, Robert Adelson formed Adelson & Associates, LLC in December 2019 and commenced the new firm’s operations on January 1, 2020, with the new firm taking over, on that date and going forward, all current Robert Adelson clients, matters and operations, as well as all referral of legal work to associates of Robert Adelson. Since 1/1/2020, the firm’s offices have been and remain at 101 Federal Street, 19th Floor, across the street from the pre-2020 offices at One Federal Street, 21st Floor, in Boston’s Financial District.

Non Compete Agreements

Restrictive Covenants

What is the Value in Hiring the Right Executive Employment Lawyer?

 

July 2025 Edition

We are now into summer. Hopefully, you and your family will be enjoying July 4th / Independence Day holiday this weekend and perhaps that might even continue with a further family vacation. Whether cookouts, picnics, clambakes, time at the beach and seashore, or the lakes, swimming, sailing, biking, walking, hiking or out at the golf links or taking in a ballgame at Fenway Park, I hope you and yours are enjoying summer fun.

For me, I am back in the office after a West of Ireland music vacation in June. The two week trip was led by the folk duo Four Shillings Short https://4shillingsshort.com/ poetry, traditional Irish music, amazing sites, culture, cuisine, with wonderful traveling companions from across the US as we journeyed to Ennis, Dingle Town, Sligo and Clifden in the Connemara of County Galway. There was some singing as well. Though I am certainly no Liam Clancy or Tommy Makem (my idols), it was great fun for me to do vocals on several of their Irish ballads I knew, at pubs and other venues along the way. And a bonus: We had a night of watching Hurling, the national sports passion of all Ireland, at Gracie’s Bar, Sligo. And what a night it was! We witnessed underdog team of County Cork topple the perennial titans Limerick, in a positive thriller. More on that event in Newsletter item #2. Though I’m now back at work in Boston, as you can tell, my head is still a bit on Emerald Isle.

Sadly, before I left for vacation, the Boston Celtics went down to defeat in the second round against the Knicks and we can only hope that Jason Tatum heals and perhaps a new credible challenge might be mounted next year at TD Garden for NBA championship #19. I was back to see the Red Sox trade Rafi Devers in a classic salary dump, so here’s hoping the money saved will be used by Kennedy / Breslow to bring in a new bat to replace Rafi’s. So, as the Sox go back and forth and Alex Cora does his best to get the Sox over .500, they are at least competitive and I love the history and excitement of attending the ballgames at Fenway and later this month will visit with good friends Polar Park for the WooSox. So, whichever sport you are watching or better still participating in, I hope you are enjoying it as well. (Also, with our Boston professional sports scene a bit of a lull right now, I hope my item #2 below will be a fun (though brief) diversion for you to unusual and quite exciting sports event, which took place “across the pond”.)

As for Newsletter items, on June 25, 2025, CEOWORLD magazine published an article I wrote on the value that hiring the right executive employment attorney can have for you as a C-level or senior executive, with the focus on the significant benefits the right attorney can help you achieve in five different and important events in the course of your executive career. Then after the fun vacation article on Hurling #2, this newsletter also has links, in items #4 and #5, to two other earlier executive career articles of mine. The first article, published in 2023 in IVYEXEC, the career advancement website, on the hurdles faced by women CEOs and senior executives, and offers strategies to you on how to succeed and keep your career on its upward trajectory. The second article published in 2024 in IVYEXEC advises the senior executive who is being forced out of his or her position, offering strategies on how to quit your current position and still gain appropriate executive severance compensation in connection with your separation. There is also a special offer as item #6, an Executive Issues Law Diagnostic. I hope some of these items might be of benefit… and my best wishes to all for the rest of July!

1. What is the value in hiring the Right Executive Employment Attorney?

Do you have a C-level or senior executive job offer? Are you facing a change of control? Are you being forced out of your current position? … or have you already been terminated and are being asked to sign a release of claims? Perhaps you are reluctant to seek assistance because you have already had bad experiences with attorneys. So you might reasonably ask — what is the value of hiring an executive employment attorney, even if I somehow got the right one? My new article, published a week ago in CEOWORLD magazine, shows how hiring the right executive employment lawyer can pay off for you …often immediately ..often dramatically. The article first discusses the things that you, as CEO, C-level or senior executive ought to look for to find that right attorney. Then in the “show and tell” part of the article, I walk you through five different areas of executive representation, covering different kinds of events, each event quite significant, that you are likely to face in the course of your executive career where such dramatic results are often achieved for the executive who has chosen carefully and obtained the right legal representation for this important work. Read the article here

2. Hurling Championship “for the ages” (my Éire vacation highlight)

Three weeks ago, on June 7, I led a group of ten to Gracie’s Bar, the top sports bar in Sligo town, Ireland, to watch on the “telly” County Cork vs. County Limerick in the Munster Hurling finals. In this #2 newsletter item, I share my recent Facebook post: a fun highlight from my vacation that perhaps you too might enjoy as a wee bit of light summer / beach reading (especially where the Boston Globe sports page is a bit dull right now). To start — Hurling? What the heck is Hurling? Just the absolute national passion of all Ireland. The game played for more than 1,000 years in Ireland, with the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship, organized by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), the highest-tier competition for inter-county hurling in Ireland, contested in every year except one since 1887. That is, it predates the NFL, NHL, NBA. So that among major US sports only Baseball’s National League founded in 1876 is older (the AL founded in 1901). The game is a mixture of the best parts of lacrosse, baseball, rugby, played on a “pitch” much larger than a football or soccer field (145–160 yards). Unlike soccer or hockey, where shots on net count nothing, in hurling, it’s 3 points, for hitting the ball past the goalie into the net, but 1 point if you can hit the hurling ball between the high uprights above goalie and net.. So, using their sticks as baseball bats if a player can get free of the rugby-type scrum, he can score from 80 yards or more out if he can hit it through the uprights. Our match was a positive nail-biter: teams were “level”, that is tied, seventeen (17) times in regulation; score tied 25–25 after regulation; tied again 33–33 after the 10-minute overtime; then Cork wins 3–2 on shots from the penalty area. This was the first time ever a Munster finals was decided on penalty shots. And of course, all eleven of our group rooted passionately for the underdog Red Rebels of Cork. 😊 Of Cork’s 33 points before penalties, 30 were single points with shots, both near and far, through the uprights. Cork only got one 3-pointer, scored past the goalie into the net. So, we cheered all 31 times Cork scored, as did most at Gracie’s. My Facebook post (with many photos) mentions our group, learning rules and scoring, as we went through the night, plus a link to a 6-minute segment from CBS’s “60 Minutes” on “Ireland’s National Obsession with Hurling”, with more links to see game highlights, and several “clippings” from the IRISH TIMES and other papers, raving about this epic match. Enjoy! 😊 Read the Article Here

3. Work with CEOs, C-Suite and Senior Executives, exclusively.

Robert Adelson is an attorney specialized in the representation of CEOs, C-level and senior executives. He no longer represents companies or employers. Learn about Robert Adelson’s work with CEOs, C-level and senior executives to advise on and improve job offers, employment contracts, stock, RSUs, options, bonuses and other executive compensation matters, plus advice and aid on issues of wrongful termination, severance, exit terms, retention, change of control, other executive issues and more … More Details Here

4. Essential Employment Terms for Female Executives

My article published in 2023 by IVYEXEC career advancement website explores the hurdles faced by women CEOs and senior executives in hiring, change of control, harassment and termination situations, strategies to succeed and keep your career on its upward trajectory. Read the Article Here

5. Getting Executive Severance when you Choose to Quit

Are you thinking of quitting your current executive position, but don’t want to leave empty-handed? My article published in February 2024 by IVYEXEC career advancement website, speaks to senior executives who, for reasons beyond their control, want to quit your current position and then strategies how to still seek appropriate executive severance compensation in connection with your separation. Read the Article Here

6. 7/2025 Offer: Good until July 31st

This 4-week value-packed offer, is as a way to get introduced to my law work: : an Executive Issues Law Diagnostic — this offer is good through 7/31/25. Read Details Here

I hope the links and information provided will be useful to you and that there will be an opportunity for me to work with you on legal matters in the near future.

ROBERT A. ADELSON, ESQ.
Executive Employment Attorney
Adelson & Associates, LLC
101 Federal Street, 19th Floor, Boston, MA 02110
(617) 204–5601 Law Firm
(617) 204–5602 Direct
(617) 204–5604 Fax
Email: rob@attorneyadelson.com
Website: www.executiveemploymentattorney.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-adelson-b8a1557/
Blog: https://robadelson.wordpress.com/
X: @AttorneyAdelson

Robert A. Adelson is the Principal of Adelson & Associates, LLC. For fifteen (15) years, from October 2004 through December 2019, Robert Adelson practiced law and referred legal work to associates of his trusted and experienced colleagues, as a partner of Engel & Schultz, LLP. In December 2019, the lead partners of the firm announced they would go into semi-retirement, go their separate ways, and the office lease would expire in January 2020. In response, Robert Adelson formed Adelson & Associates, LLC in December 2019 and commenced the new firm’s operations on January 1, 2020, with the new firm taking over, on that date and going forward, all current Robert Adelson clients, matters and operations, as well as all referral of legal work to associates of Robert Adelson. Since 1/1/2020, the firm’s offices have been and remain at 101 Federal Street, 19th Floor, across the street from the pre-2020 offices at One Federal Street, 21st Floor, in Boston’s Financial District.

June 2025 Executive Employment Law Newsletter

I hope this email finds you and your family in good health.  We are now beginning June, we’ve had some nice weather and hopefully this run of nice weather will continue, ideal for biking, hiking, boating, golf, picnics and enjoying the out of doors, and perhaps some swimming too in the lakes and by month end perhaps the ocean too.  As for New England spectator sports, perhaps the less said the better.  Our winter sports teams have long since finished: the Bruins did not make the playoffs;  our defending NBA Champion Celtics dashed our hopes as the team crashed and burned losing to the Knicks in 6 games in the second round.  To make things even worse, star Jason Tatum suffered serious injury and we can only wish him well and a recovery such that at some future date he might again step on the parquet and resume what has been an exceptional career.  As for our main remaining pro team still standing, the Red Sox are in a bit of a funk.  I attended one game, rescheduled the next day after a rainout, where the Sox scored 19 runs (“Mercy!” I can almost hear those immortal words in my ear from Old Sox radio announcer  Ned Martin).  Yet, so many other games when the Sox get some decent pitching from Crochet or others, they just cannot summon the timely hitting.  Hopefully, Alex Cora will get everyone on the same page and things will improve as the season continues on.

As for Newsletter items, this past week,  there has been a delay with my latest article so I am reposting an article of mine that  CEOWORLD published in 2023 for CEOs, C-level and senior executives on acceleration terms in a change of control event.  A link is offered to my article where I argue for immediate acceleration on the closing of the success event and against delay from a “Double Trigger” with my argument  drawing on 19th century US history analogies.  (Hint:  I’m on the side of Abraham Lincoln in the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates).  As a bonus, I include  a further link to the article’s sequel also published in CEOWORLD arguing for the single trigger in public companies. 

This newsletter also has links, in items #3 and #4, to two other earlier articles of mine.  The first article, published in 2023 in IVYEXEC, the career advancement website, advises on negotiation strategies and terms to seek in C-level and senior executive severance negotiations. The second article,  published in CEOWORLD magazine back in 2020 but still relevant, offers pointers to first time CEOs and those new to C-level executive employment negotiations, including key terms to seek in your negotiations. There is also a special offer as item #5, an Executive Employment Separation Law Diagnostic.  I hope some of these items might be of benefit… and my best wishes to all for the rest of June!

1.   Fighting the CofC “Double Trigger” as Free Labor vs Slavery

Are you being hired, or are you now working as a CEO or C-level executive to lead or help lead your company to a liquidity Change of Control success event?  Your job offer likely provides for acceleration or some bonus compensation if you succeed, but what about the actual triggers for your payout?  My article published  in CEOWORLD magazine in 2023 argues for a single trigger of your acceleration on closing and against the Double Trigger that sets more conditions and various risks and potential problems for you. Read the Article Here  After challenge from a company attorney, I demonstrated use of the single trigger for C-level executives in public companies (and got my public company CEO client the single trigger), as set out in my sequel to this article CEOWORLD magazine in 2024, for single trigger executive acceleration in public companies. Read the Article Here

2.       Work with CEOs, C-Suite and Senior Executives, exclusively.

Robert Adelson is an attorney specialized in the representation of CEOs, C-level and senior executives. He no longer represents companies or employers.  Learn about Robert Adelson’s work with CEOs, C-level and senior executives to advise on and improve job offers, employment contracts, stock, RSUs, options, bonuses and other executive compensation matters, plus advice and aid on issues of wrongful termination, severance, exit terms, retention, change of control, other executive issues and more … More Details Here

3.      Severance Compensation Packages for Executives

Whether you have just received a job offer, have a chance to renegotiate your current contract, or are facing a change of control or termination situation, my article published in January 2023 by the IvyExec career advancement website may benefit you, as I discuss key payment, equity, benefits, non-disparagement and other terms to negotiate in your severance package and also timing, and how to deal with what your employer may ask of you.    Read the Article Here

4.       Negotiating your first C-Level Executive Employment Agreement

Are you a newly-minted CEO or another C-level executive?  Did you receive your first C-level job offer or employment agreement? My article published in CEOWORLD Magazine back in 2020 remains relevant and may benefit you, as I discuss why the agreement is important to the company and to you, and key terms – equity, bonus structure, severance among them – on which to focus in your negotiations.  Read the Article Here

5.     6/2025 Offer:  Good until June 30th  

This 4-week value-packed offer, is as a way to get introduced to my law work: an Executive Employment Separation Law Diagnostic –– this offer is good through 6/30/25.  More Details Here

It’s always a pleasure to get back in touch with you and other clients, friends, and colleagues.  I hope the links and information provided will be useful to you and that there will be an opportunity for me to work with you on legal matters in the near future. 

Let’s keep in touch! 

Best regards,

Rob

Robert Adelson

*Adelson & Associates, LLC
Executive Employment Attorney
101 Federal Street, 19th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 204-5601 Law Firm
(617) 204-5602 Direct
(617) 204-5604 Fax
E-mail :  rob@attorneyadelson.com
Blog:  https://robadelson.wordpress.com/
Twitter:  @AttorneyAdelson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-adelson-b8a1557/
Website: www.executiveemploymentattorney.com

Note on Adelson & Associates, LLC:
* Robert A. Adelson is the Principal of Adelson & Associates, LLC.  For fifteen (15) years, from October 2004 through December 2019, Robert Adelson practiced law and referred legal work to associates of his, trusted and experienced colleagues, as a partner of Engel & Schultz, LLP.  In December 2019, the lead partners of the firm announced they would go into semi-retirement, go their separate ways, and the office lease would expire in January 2020.  In response, Robert Adelson formed Adelson & Associates, LLC in December 2019 and commenced the new firm’s operations on January 1, 2020, with the new firm taking over, on that date and going forward, all current Robert Adelson clients, matters and operations, as well as all referral of legal work to associates of Robert Adelson.  Since 1/1/2020, the firm’s offices have been and remain at 101 Federal Street, 19th Floor, across the street from the pre-2020 offices at One Federal Street, 21st Floor, in Boston’s Financial District.

This post was originally published in https://robadelson.wordpress.com/2025/06/02/june-2025-executive-employment-law-newsletter/

May 2025 Executive Employment Law Newsletter

I hope this email finds you and your family in good health.  We are now into May and after April showers, we are still seeing some showers and chilly days but also now seeing the flowers sprout and many more warm days, with ever later sunsets. Still too early for the beach, but great for biking, hiking, boating, golf, picnics and enjoying the out of doors. 

This has also been a good time for Boston’ s professional sports scene.  Using the no. 4 pick in the NFL draft, the Patriots under new head coach Mike Vrabel appear to have drafted some quality players that hopefully in the next season will move them closer to a return to the  NFL playoffs and again contending for the Super Bowl.  And the Celtics our remaining winter sports team still playing, passed their first test vs. the Magic and gained some needed rest for their next round challenge with the NY Knicks.  I can’t remember that last time it was Boston vs NYC in the basketball playoffs – should be a dandy with Tatum, Brown and rest of our C’s hopefully prevailing and continuing on their road to a return to the NBA Finals and a shot at Banner #19.   And then finally, there are the recovering Boston Red Sox.  Despite recent bullpen collapses losses, the club remains over .500, with strong contributions by the four newcomers – 3B Bregman, 2B Campbell and pitchers Crochet and Buehler. The Sox schedule opened easy and hopefully the Crimson Hose can meet the challenge as the schedule gets harder in May and beyond.  “Keep your Sox on!” *grinz*

As for Newsletter items, this past week, on May 1, CEOWORLD magazine published my article for CEOs, C-level and senior executives, who have faced or may face an “Executive Bait & Switch.” That happens  where the executive is intensely recruited for critical company needs, the executive delivers on all or most of what the company seeks, and then, is promptly fired when no longer needed as much.  The article suggests the Unjust Enrichment claim with its powerful disgorgement remedy, as means for you to fight back against this pernicious employer practice, that, sadly, I see occurring all too against my C-level executive clients.

Newsletter Item #2, is also a recent item, primarily the text of a short oration I delivered on May 3, that featured a tale of, and tribute to, journalistic integrity as part of the 55th anniversary of my college paper, The Daily Free Press, the independent student newspaper at Boston University.  This newsletter also has links, in items #4 and #5, to two other earlier articles of mine, the first on the merits of RSUs vs stock options as a structure for executive equity, the second on negotiations over CMO – Chief Marketing Officer employment offers and contracts, both published in recent years by IVYEXEC, the career advancement website. There is also a special offer as item #6.  I hope some of these items might be of benefit… and my best wishes to all for the rest of May! 😊

1.       Using Unjust Enrichment Claim to Fight Back Executive Bait & Switch

Have you been a victim of, or do you fear you may become the victim of, an Executive Bait & Switch?  That is, were you, as a CEO or C-level executive, recruited hard because of the company’s special needs you could fulfill, with the bait for you to join, being important promises to you, most often equity or a profits share, only to be arbitrarily terminated after delivering all or most of what the new company wanted and well short of the promises made to you?  My article, published five days ago in CEOWORLD magazine, offers hope.  My article discusses the Unjust Enrichment claim and the highly potent disgorgement remedy to aid you to fight back against the employer, to attain all or most of (and potentially much more than)  what you were promised and was denied after to you, after you “delivered the goods” for the company.   Read the Article Here

2. DFP 55- Celebrating Independent Student Journalism  

“My story stems from an article I wrote as a FreeP assistant editor two years from the founding, in April 1972.  It was a story that almost killed the Daily Free Press in just our 2nd year of existence.” This was part of my 5-minute oration, three nights ago on May 3,  during the 55th anniversary reception for alums of my college newspaper, The Daily Free Press, the independent student newspaper at Boston University.  In this Newsletter post, I share the text of my oration, which was a tale of, and tribute to, Journalistic Integrity, plus further comments cut due to the evening’s speaking time constraint and other comments relevant to my role as a Board Member of the Massachusetts non-profit corporation that publishes this daily student newspaper. More Details Here

3.       Work with CEOs, C-Suite and Senior Executives, exclusively.

Robert Adelson is an attorney specialized in the representation of CEOs, C-level and senior executives. He no longer represents companies or employers.  Learn about Robert Adelson’s work with CEOs, C-level and senior executives to advise on and improve job offers, employment contracts, stock, RSUs, options, bonuses and other executive compensation matters, plus advice and aid on issues of wrongful termination, severance, exit terms, retention, change of control, other executive issues and more … More Details Here

4.         Merits of RSUs vs Stock Options in Your Compensation Package 

My article published in 2022, by the career advancement website Ivy Exec, describes how RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) differ from stock and options, how they are taxed differently, and important situations where  RSUs can offer significant financial advantages over stock options or restricted stock as executive equity compensation to CEOs, C-level and senior executives.   Read the Article Here

5.       Negotiating Your CMO Employment Agreement

If you have a new job offer or have or soon will receive a draft employment contract as a CMO or Chief Marketing Officer, my article published by the career advancement website Ivy Exec though dated (2021), remains relevant to  advise you on special terms, authority, reliance, equity, bonus structure, severance and other essential terms to negotiate. Read the Article Here

6.      5/2025 Offer:  Good until May 30th  

This value-packed offer, is as a way to get introduced to my law work: Executive Employee Equity Law Diagnostic – this offer is good for the next 3-plus weeks through 5/30/25.   More Details Here

It’s always a pleasure to get back in touch with you and other clients, friends, and colleagues.  I hope the links and information provided will be useful to you and that there will be an opportunity for me to work with you on legal matters in the near future. 

Let’s keep in touch! 

Best regards,

Rob

Robert Adelson

*Adelson & Associates, LLC
Executive Employment Attorney
101 Federal Street, 19th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 204-5601 Law Firm
(617) 204-5602 Direct
(617) 204-5604 Fax
E-mail :  rob@attorneyadelson.com
Blog:  https://robadelson.wordpress.com/
Twitter:  @AttorneyAdelson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-adelson-b8a1557/
Website: www.executiveemploymentattorney.com

Note on Adelson & Associates, LLC:
* Robert A. Adelson is the Principal of Adelson & Associates, LLC.  For fifteen (15) years, from October 2004 through December 2019, Robert Adelson practiced law and referred legal work to associates of his, trusted and experienced colleagues, as a partner of Engel & Schultz, LLP.  In December 2019, the lead partners of the firm announced they would go into semi-retirement, go their separate ways, and the office lease would expire in January 2020.  In response, Robert Adelson formed Adelson & Associates, LLC in December 2019 and commenced the new firm’s operations on January 1, 2020, with the new firm taking over, on that date and going forward, all current Robert Adelson clients, matters and operations, as well as all referral of legal work to associates of Robert Adelson.  Since 1/1/2020, the firm’s offices have been and remain at 101 Federal Street, 19th Floor, across the street from the pre-2020 offices at One Federal Street, 21st Floor, in Boston’s Financial District.

This post was published in https://robadelson.wordpress.com/2025/05/03/may-2025-executive-employment-law-newsletter/