Executive Equity Compensation in a Pre-IPO Company

November 2025 Edition

We are now well into Autumn.  Despite some days of Indian Summer, there is now an increasing chill to our days, with Thanksgiving not too far off at the end of this month.

On the sports scene, one could not but marvel at the exiting MLB World Series concluded just after midnight this past Saturday night. I was rooting for the AL’s Toronto Blue Jays who had not been to the Fall Classic in more than 30 years, but it was hard for me to root against NL’s LA Dodgers with their Manager being former Red Sox player Dave Roberts.  I was at Fenway Park that fateful October night 21 years ago for the ALCS game 4 vs the Yankees. In my mind’s eye, I can still see Roberts taking huge leads from first and then his dramatic steal of second base against Mariano Rivera to spark the greatest comeback in MLB post-season history that led Boston to the 2004 World Series title, our first in 86 years.  But what a Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series game 7 this past Saturday night!  The sight for me, was indelible: Dodgers ace starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto summoned by manager Dave Roberts  from bullpen with the score tied 4-4, one out in the 9th, with two Blue Jays on base. This, after Yamamoto only the night before, had gone 6 innings and 95 pitches to win game 6.   I was just as electrified back in 2001 at the sight also on TV of Randy Johnson coming in 9th inning relief, also on one days’ rest, to win game 7 for the Diamondbacks.  Plus thoughts of other legendary starters on in relief in other 7th games – Walter Johnson 1924, Grover Cleveland Alexander 1926. As for Sat night’s game 7, 9th inning and Yamamoto, after a hit batsman and force play at the plate, THE CATCH, spectacular in deep CF to save the Dodgers who would win in extras after still more heroics.  Yamamoto went 2-plus innings of scoreless relief for his 3rd series win, and was rightly named Series MVP. 

As for our New England sports scene, Sunday was a reality check for our Patriots. The Atlanta Falcons came back but, when needed, the defense got the stops.  As important, after some setbacks, Drake Maye too, did what was needed so the Pats managed a 24-23 win.  This included the critical last first down pass from QB10 to Hunter Henry so the Falcons got no last chance to win. The win streak remains alive, now at five, pushing New England’s record to 7-2.  The team will next go on the road and we remain hopeful. The buzz is back at Foxboro.  It’s not the old “Patriot Way” but rather something new – the highly positive vibe emanating from our 1st year Coach Mike Vrabel.  As for our winter sports teams, both have had their own small streaks both winning and losing.  So, the Bruins are at .500 and the Celtics just below that.  Hopefully, things will continue to look up them in November and December and for BU hockey as well in November. 

As for Newsletter items, two weeks ago, in IVYEXEC career advancement website, published an article of mine, advising on key protections, equity and other terms to seek to best take advantage of the financial opportunity an IPO can present to you. A link to that new article is featured as item #1. This newsletter also has links, in items #3 and #4, to two other earlier articles of mine both published by CEOWORLD magazine, on two separate subjects of interest to C-level and senior executives.  The first discusses an important technique, keeping and using an ace in the hole in your executive contract negotiations.  The second article discusses an important duty or implied covenant in the law that can enable you, even if you are an employee “at will”,  to have a valid enforceable claim against your employer to be made whole for what you earned and were deprived of. 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 November! 

1.   Executive Compensation in a Pre-IPO Company

Is your private company planning for an IPO?  As a C-Level or senior executive, my new article published two week ago, on October 21, in IVYEXEC career advancement website, advises on key protections, equity and other terms to seek to best take advantage of the financial opportunity an IPO can present to you.   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, executive  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.       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 by CEOWORLD magazine a bit over a year ago (Aug. 2024), 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

 4.   “Good Faith & Fair Dealing” Duty that can safeguard your earnings

As a C-level or senior executive, do you face now or have you ever faced employment termination or other employer action to prevent you from receiving a bonus, stock vesting or other benefit you earned from your successful achievement of a target objective for the company? My article published by CEOWORLD magazine, in September 2021, and still relevant, discusses an important duty or implied covenant in the law that can enable you, even if you are an employee “at will”,  to have a valid enforceable claim against your employer to be made whole for what you earned and were deprived of.  Read the Article Here

5.       11/2025 Offer: Good through December 1st  

This 4 weeks’ 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 Mon. 12/1/25.   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.

Equity Revesting When Your Company Is Acquired

 

October 2025 Edition

We are now into Autumn with Columbus Day next week (also called Indigenous Peoples Day in Boston) and Halloween the end of this month. Time for foliage viewing, apple picking, raking the leaves, and still lots of outdoor sports, hiking, biking and the like. 

Sadly, there will be no further October baseball for our hometown’s beloved Boston Red Sox. Our club did make the post-season but that meant a best of 3 series, played entirely on enemy turf… in THE Bronx. The Yankees prevailed so no post-season games in Boston.  Still.. I’m not too disappointed because I thought all along that we were playing with “house money” given the fierce competition we faced just to get that far.  Nor am I ready to move on, saying “wait ‘til next year.”  Nope, I am still savoring the MLB season we just had.  This Sox team led the majors with twelve walk-off wins, and I had the pleasure of seeing the boys notch two of those wins at Fenway in the “walk off greens”.  Plus, there were even more games where I did stay through the 9^th to see Aroldis Chapman close the game.  This Sox reliever  (the best we’ve had since 2013’s Koji Uehara) never disappointed.  And just as much was enjoying the wonderful exuberance of Chapman’s entrance – To see once again El Tiante smoking up the Fenway skyline, to hear the Latina sounds of “La Reina” Celia Cruz, and view the salsa dancers as Chapman delivers his heat.  Please do check it out one more time before we close the book on these BoSox of 2025 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHYfnJC3uE0  

As much as I don’t want to close the chapter on Boston’s Boys of Summer 2025,  Boston MLB has now concluded.  Yet, as one door closes, a new door opens, and Boston’s sports scene is a lot brighter today than it was a week ago. This past NFL Sunday Night on NBC was a total surprise and  joy to watch.  I gave the 2-2 Patriots, with their up and down beginning against some of the weakest NFL teams,  not a snowball’s chance in Hell of beating the 4-0 Buffalo Bills, on the road, at Orchard Park in Western NY.  Facing Josh Allen and the AFC’s top team, incredibly, QB Drake Maye,  wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and a stout Pat’s defensive unit, pulled off a huuuuge upset, taking the Bill’s 23-20.   At half-time, I was amazed the Pats led 6-3.  So, I decided not to go to sleep.  Then, we all saw New England rally twice in the 2^nd half, with Maye then leading a final drive to set up the 52-yard field goal to win in the last 15 seconds.  We are now 5 games into the 17-game NFL season, with  the Pats now 3-2.  New England would be a wild card entry if the season ended today.  With their soft schedule ahead, hopes have now soared that in January, Mike Vrabel’s overachieving NE  squad might play (even if briefly) in the NFL playoffs.

Beyond pro sports, there was further good news this past weekend. Saturday night, I also had the pleasure of attending the BU Hockey season opener in a packed Agganis Arena.  The Terriers open the season no. 2 in national college hockey rankings.  With another strong group led by potential Hobey Baker contenders  Cole Eiserman and Cole Hutson (who both scored Saturday night), we can hope that coach Jay Pandolfo can again lead lead the scarlet to our 4^th consecutive Frozen Four, this time, in Las Vegas, next April.  Opening night fun even continued post-game.  My best friend Bob Imperato and I were able to partake in some fascinating opening night story-telling, in the Friends Lounge, when Brian Zive joined our table.  Brian amazed us both with a number of fabulous tales from his 30-plus years’ reign as the legendary “Sasquatch” of BU Terrier Hockey .   Ol story link - https://www.bu.edu/articles/2015/sasquatch-dog-pound/  That BU Today story was from 2015, ten years ago.   At some point The Daily Free Press / Hockey Blog should do an update, the FreePress / Hockey blog’s  own feature length Sasquatch story.  Such a wonderful man, and Brian has just so much to share with all of us.   Anyway,  good news for the Terriers Saturday and for the Patriots Sunday: fingers crossed that good news will continue  as October goes along.   

As for Newsletter items, nine days ago, CEOWORLD magazine published an article of mine, directed to founder CEOs, CTOs and other founder C-level officers, on navigating re-vesting of equity and other perils you are likely to face when your company is being acquired.   A link to that new article is featured as item #1. This newsletter also has links, in items #3 and #4, to two other earlier articles of mine both published in IVYEXEC career advancement website, on two separate subjects of interest to C-level and senior executives.  The first discusses an important technique, using “QSBS”, to achieve zero taxation if your stock gains are up to the greater of 10x growth or $15 million.  The second article is on  employment contract terms to seek in negotiations by life science C-level and senior executives.  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 October! 

1.    Equity Revesting & Other Founder Executive Concerns When Your Company Is Acquired

Are you a founder CEO, or co-founder CTO and other founder executive looking forward to the acquisition of your company?  Are you now looking forward to a long-awaited liquidity event?  The transaction is certainly good news, but, for you, there are certain risks  you ought to know about and plan for.  These risks include required re-vesting of your founder shares or your vested equity position, and a potential double trigger barrier to your own liquidity.  My article published nine days ago in CEOWORLD magazine offers a roadmap to help you navigate through the potential minefield of these critical issues when your company is to be acquired. This article analyzes these key issues and others from your viewpoint, as founder / C-level executive, and how you can respond to protect yourself while still being supportive to close the deal. 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.       Achieving Zero Taxation on Sale of Your Appreciated Stock

Are you the CEO or in senior leadership at an early stage company or are you considering joining an early stage company, in either case, where executive equity  is or will be an important part of your executive compensation package?  My article published earlier this year, by IVYEXEC career advancement website, discusses how proper structuring of your equity grant can produce a huge cash benefit to you.  My article shows how use of qualified small business stock (QSBS), and other key techniques may enable you to have zero Federal taxation on all or most of the appreciation on a sale of shares.   Since my article’s publication in March 2025,  the 2025 tax law increased the amount that QSBS can shield from taxation to $15 million.  Thus, proper use of techniques I share can potentially save you over $3.5 million in capital gains and net investment income taxes you would otherwise have to pay out of pocket.  Read the Article Here

4.       Employment Contract Terms for Life Science 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 a year ago, in October 2024 by IVYEXEC career advancement website,  advises medical device, biotech and other life science executives on the essential terms to negotiate including performance targets and equity geared to the stage of your life science company and its exit goals and key terms for your equity.  Read the Article Here

5.       10/2025 Offer:  Good through Halloween, Oct. 31th  

This 3-plus weeks value-packed offer, is as a way to get introduced to my law work: an Executive Employee Equity Law Diagnostic – this offer is good through 10/31/25.   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, 19^th Floor, across the street from the pre-2020 offices at One Federal Street, 21^st Floor, in Boston’s Financial District.

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.