35 years’ service to Entrepreneurs, 1991 – 2026

 

October 2026 Edition

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 transition times for the Boston sports scene as we move from Red Sox summer to Patriots autumn.  This past summer, the Boston Red Sox were in last place and written off in June and then went on an incredible  15-game winning streak that tied the 90-year old franchise record.  After that the team cooled off in August and September, it still make the playoffs. Sadly as no. 2 out of 3 Wild card teams, the Sox did not get a home game at Fenway Park, in a three game series. They lost two games and the series to the Yankees by scores of 9-0 and 9-2. 

Despite those one-sided run results, I think Boston still might have been won with better use of our team’s greatest strength: starting pitchers. After game 1, when my best friend an ardent Yankees fan called me to gloat, I still voiced optimism and bet the Red Sox. Down 1-0 in a best 2 out of 3 series, I asked for and got 2 to 1 odds. Hell my friend would have  offered me 10 to 1.  Either way I still lost my $5.00 bet on Boston.  My big beef:    I question Chad Tracy’s decision to pull Sonny Gray after just 70 pitches over 4 2/3 innings. The Sox were then behind 1-0 in game #2 when Tracy took out Sonny Gray. Boston eventually got 2 runs and if Gray had been left to pitch further into the game, perhaps 18-game winner Gray might have lasted to the 8th to closer Aroldis Chapman and the Sox might have made 2-1 standup for a win. If they had. I very much liked Ranger Suarez, our starter for game 3.  He’d been red hot in September 3 wins and 1.09 ERA.  But as they say “coulda, woulda” “shoulda”. and now we say “Wait til next year”.  In any case, I certainly can thank Chad Tracy for his great managing in June and July to bring the Sox back from the dead and make for an interesting baseball summer.

Now we are in full spectator sports transition, as we move our focus to the topsy turvy world of the New England Patriots.  Three games into the season and the Pats complete collapse in a butt-whooping 35-6 to Jacksonville, it looked like a most difficult season ahead. 

Yet, from the result of one game, the fortunes of the Patriots have risen.  This past Sunday, the 1-2 Partiots went on the road to take on the 3-0 Bills in Orchard Park, NY.  This time, Drake May stepped up big time.  Aided By some amazing catches, May  outplayed the formidable Josh Allen to take the Patriots to a last minute come-from behind victory 29-26 over the Buffalo. Now we are back in the thick of it, the Bills lead 3-2, the Pats 2-2.  It is a long NFL season ahead and unlike last year,  it is a much harder Patriots schedule. But last Sunday gives us all hope.  Perhaps just as they did last year, Drake Maye, Mike Vrable and Josh McDaniels will find a way to lead the Pats into the NFL Playoffs.   So, fingers crossed that this positive trend will continue.

As for Newsletter items, I have provided links to items that I hope might be of interest. Item #1 is about the Farewell to ENET – The Boston Entrepreneurs Network that voted a week ago to dissolve and transfer assets to IEEE Boston Section.  In this post, I go well beyond just the vote to dissolve ENET and transfer its assets, as I try to recapture a bit of what ENET had achieved and was delivering for entrepreneurs by 2020 just before the Covid-19 pandemic took its toll. In this extended post, I provide to those interested in the world of entrepreneurship links to slide decks from 24 different ENET expert speakers whom as meetings’ organizer I recruited to speak in presentation during the 2017 to 2020 period. Those 24 different slide decks are still today accessible on the ENET website. Those slides remain relevant today to offer valuable insights to aid today’s entrepreneurs in numerous challenging areas. 

This newsletter also has links, in items #2, #4 and #5, to three articles of mine to aid C-level and senior executives. The first link item #2 is to my most recent article published ten weeks ago in July on the promissory estoppel / detrimental reliance remedy if a job offer is withdrawn or other promise in employment is denied after you had relied on it. Item #4 offers a link to my article discusses the advantages of RSUs an important form of equity to consider as part of your executive compensation package.  The third link, #5 is to another CEOWORLD article of mine on a bold self-help remedy that I have, under the right circumstances, been able to use to aid executive clients when the company owner reneged on the promise of significant equity.

There is also a special offer as item #6, an Executive Equity Law Diagnostic.  I hope some of these items might be of benefit… and my best wishes to all for the rest of August!

1.   Farewell to ENET:  35 years’ service to Entrepreneurs, 1991 – 2026 

A week ago on September 29, the Boston Entrepreneurs Network (ENET), by Executive Committee vote, determined to dissolve and transfer its assets to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Boston Section.  ENET has been a Waltham and Cambridge based non-profit group, affiliated with IEEE, to aid founders, entrepreneurs, small and early stage companies, and people who invest or work in those companies in tech and life science and other areas of New England’s innovation economy. The group  offered as many as 20 meetings per year, plus our annual cruise of Boston Harbor to end the program year.  Each meeting typically had three speakers on a subject of interest to entrepreneurs and company founders, refreshments and networking time before and after the presentations to allow entrepreneurs to meet each other and later meet with the speakers.  With the pandemic that began in 2020, networking and attendance sharply dropped.  The group never recovered. Hence our final demise a week ago.  In this post, I go much further than my brief chronical of the demise.  Instead, I tell more of what ENET was on the eve of the pandemic and  provide information on 33 ENET meetings I organized over a 15 years period.  This includes links to slide decks from 24 ENET speakers which slide decks remain relevant and can offer a valuable resource and insights to aid today’s entrepreneurs in numerous challenging areas. More Details Here .

2. Promissory Estoppel Remedy to Executives for Broken Promises

Has a new employer rescinded your C-level executive job offer due to an economic downtown, a change in leadership or for other reasons?  Has the new employer broken other promises you relied upon to take the new position? My most recent article, published ten weeks ago on July 27 by the IvyExec career advancement website, discusses how the legal doctrine of promissory estoppel or detrimental reliance, recognized by courts in many states, can give C-level or senior executives a remedy for redress when the employer does not live up to its side of the bargain.  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.   Advantage of RSUs in Your Compensation Package

My article published in CEOWORLD magazine, a few years ago but still relevant today,  describes how RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) differ from stock and options, how RSUs offer important advantages to CEOs and senior executives, and key terms to negotiate in your RSU grant agreement.   Read the Article Here 

5.    Forming a competing company to own the business you built 

Are you a CEO or C-level executive recruited to turnaround or add significant value to a company, and now that you did your job and are near success, find that the owner is moving the goal posts or otherwise reneging on the offer of significant equity that enticed you to join the company?  My article published by CEOWORLD in March 2023 but still relevant today, sets out a bold self-help strategy that, under the right circumstances, could make you whole (and more than that!) for all the equity you were promised and denied after you had made important contributions to the company.   Read the Article Here

6.    10/2026 Offer:  Good until Oct. 20th 

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 10/20/2026.   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/
X:  @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.

Patriot, Inspiring Candidate & Public Servant, Seth Moulton

September 2026 Edition

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 mostly past (though I am still making last visits with the ocean water still warm at Nantasket Beach), 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 remain good times for Boston Red Sox fans, after the long win steaks in late June and July, the club remains more than 10 games over .500 and a winning ball club anchored by a stellar starting pitching rotation of Sonny Gray, Payton Tolle, and Ranger Suarez, with reliever Garrett Whitlock and closer Aroldis Chapman.  Over the last several weeks we have been a bit up and down, but it appears Chad Tracy is playing the long game, giving players needed rest so they will be fresh for the playoffs.  We are hoping the strategy pays off that the Sox will have a long playoff run.

Meanwhile, the Patriots after going 1-1-1 in pre-season games, will have their first real test tomorrow night, Sept. 9  when the Pats travel to Seattle for a rematch of the Super Bowl LX (60) contestants.   With a new season springs excitement.  Last year, the Patriots surprised many (me included) with a stellar 14-3 recod and trip to the Super Bowl.  Despite their dismal 29-13 Super Bowl loss to the Seahawks, it was a wonderful season for Pats fans led by new head coach Mike Vrabel, with returning offensive play caller Josh McDaniels, guiding the development of second-year quarterback Drake Maye . In 2025,  the Patriots also used free agency and the draft to bolster the line of scrimmage, while adding key veterans including among receivers.  There were early on disctrations with Coach Vrabel but hopefully this new squad will be prepared to contend for another good season. So, fingers crossed for the opener Wel night Sept. 9 and a winning season to follow.

As for Newsletter items, I have provided links to items that I hope might be of interest. Item #1 provides links to my three Facebook posts of Sept. 1, one week ago.  For three months, June through August 2026, I had the honor or being a volunteer in the campaign of Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton for US Senate.  The candidate was unsuccessful in the Democratic Party primary election on Sept 1.  Thus, while Seth will not go to the US Senate, at this time, it is my hope that, in the not too distant future, Seth will again get the chance to make a major contribution in service to our nation. It is my hope that, in a future Democratic administration, he would be nominated and take over a senior post in government as US Secretary of Defense, US Secretary of Veterans Affairs or Director of National Intelligence. My three election day Facebook posts, for which links are offered, are my tribute to this extraordinary American patriot (4 tours of duty, bronze star as a US Marine Corps Captain in Iraq), hardworking and gallant candidate and public servant.

This newsletter also has links, in items #4 and #5, to two other earlier articles of mine.  The first link is for the  IVYEXEC career advancement website, that published an article of mine in October 2023 on items to negotiate in your next executive job offer.

The second article of mine is a link to an article published last year in 2025 by 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 often against my C-level executive clients.

There is also a special offer as item #5, an Executive Compensation Law Diagnostic.  I hope some of these items might be of benefit… and my best wishes to all for the rest of August!

1.   Seth Moulton: Patriot, Inspiring Candidate & Public Servant

From June 2026 through Sept. 1 Election Day, I was a volunteer for the campaign of Congressman Seth Moulton for US Senate. It was an honor to work for this American patriot (4 tours of duty including bronze star for valor, as platoon leader with U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq, after Seth graduated Harvard College), hard working (Seth reached out to the Mass. voters holding 53 town meetings in all corners of the state),  and incorruptible public servant.  Though Seth was soundly defeated a week ago by the incumbent Sen. Ed Markey, this post offers links to my three Sept 1 Facebook posts, an appreciation for the candidate, including his inspiring speech to our campaign team, Aug. 31 Election eve at campaign headquarters in Salem, MA, and Seth’s personal phone call that night to my wife Julia to seek her vote. … More Details 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

My article published by IvyExec career advancement site, in October 2023 but still relevant today,  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 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 in CEOWORLD magazine, last year in May 2025, 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

5.    9/2026 Offer:  Good until Sept 22nd  

This 2-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 9/22/26.   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/
X:  @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.

Becoming a Remote Senior Executive

 

August 2026 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 lucky enough to spend one or more evenings taking in a ballgame live at Fenway Park.

The local professional sports scene has witnessed a complete metamorphosis since my July 2026 Executive Employment Newsletter, centered on the season’s progress of our Boston Red Sox.   By early July, the Sox did show signs of life, but still well below .500, and got just one sentence, “The Red Sox after a brief spurt, their surprising sweep of the Yankees, remain mired in last place”.   before moving on to fully discuss the World Cup.

Now, with the World Cup a month behind us, our sports focus has become 24/7 Red Sox.  Since June 22, the Sox have been the hottest team in all baseball.  The Sox won 15 games in a row, tying the franchise longest win streak set 80 years ago in 1946.  I attended the 14th win in that streak, as exciting a game as can be imagined, as the lead changed hands several times, before  the Sox pulled out a 6-5 win, with Chapman stranding two Orioles on base in the 9th, before a boisterous sell out crowd over 37,500 then the largest of the season. 

From June 22 through August 7, the Sox won 33 and lost 5, going from 14 games below .500 in last place, to 13 above .500 and lock on the no. 2 wildcard spot for the post-season playoffs.  This record of winning exceeds Morgan Magic of 1988 which led to the playoffs and the great 10-game road winning streak of 1967 which led that “Impossible Dream” team to an American League pennant.  These Sox still have a long way to go but their impressive revival summons distant historic memories to the all-time season resurrection in Boston sports history – that of the “Miracle Braves” of 1914.  That Boston Braves team began its rise on July 4th, like today’s Sox 14 below .500, mired in 8th and last place, but then winning 52 of the next 68 games to win the National League pennant and then surprise the heavily favorites Philadelphia A’s to win the World Series 4-0.  Matching the Miracle Braves is a tall order, but with all the Sox have accomplished this last month, they are once again relevant and give we fans a real hope for October baseball in Boston and even a shot at the World Series.  In recent days since August 7, the team lost 4 games in a row.  The Sox are still solid in the no.2 Wild Card spot, 9 games over .500 as of Tuesday, so hopefully they will again return to winning baseball from the strong position developed over the last six weeks. 

As for Newsletter items, I have provided links to three of my past articles on executive employment that I hope might be of interest. Item #1 provide a link to an earlier article of mine published by IVYEXEC, the executive career advancement website, in 2023, on the subject of remote work by senior executives.  Item #3 provides a link to a 2025 article of mine published 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).  Item #4 gives a link to a still earlier CEOWORLD article I wrote on negotiation of payment, equity, benefits, and other terms to achieve your right executive compensation package   There is also a special offer as item #5, an Executive Compensation Law Diagnostic.  I hope some of these items might be of benefit… and my best wishes to all for the rest of August!

1.   Working Remotely as a C-level Executive

Are you tempted by a C-level position in a company with great potential on the West Coast, in Texas or Upper Midwest, but don’t want to give up your home and uproot your family where you are living on the East Coast?  My July 2023 article published by IVYEXEC career advancement website, suggests negotiation strategies to build a comfort level with prospective employers, for those executives who would like to take up an executive employment opportunity as a remote CEO or C-level executive. … 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.  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 article, published  in CEOWORLD magazine, a year ago in August 2025, 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 

4.       Negotiating the Right Executive Compensation Package for You

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 by CEOWORLD magazine in October 2018, and still relevant,  may benefit you, as I discuss terms including payment, equity, benefits, and other terms to negotiate in your executive compensation package and how those negotiations can actually enhance your position in the company. Read the Article Here 

5.    8/2026 Offer:  Good until August 27th  

This 2-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 8/27/26. 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. 

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/
X:  @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.

How Startup CEOs Can Protect Their Interests When Stepping Down to Executive Roles

 

July 2026 Edition

We are now into summer. Hopefully, you and your family had a most enjoyable July 4th / Independence Day holiday this past weekend, celebrating the 250th anniversary of American Independence! and perhaps you might even be able to 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 short vacation trip with three friends to Maine. We enjoyed a barn-burner of a ballgame where the Red Sox farm team the AA Portland Sea Dogs, closed a 9–0 deficit to get to 9–8 before losing to the Altoona Drive (farm team of Pittsburgh Pirates) — lots of home runs including a grand slam HR on each side. We also enjoyed great dining, beginning with our first lunch at the Maine Diner in Wells, https://mainediner.com/menu/ , where I enjoyed the “The Jim Nantz” special, hot lobster roll plus a cup of their award-winning Seafood Chowder. Our great dining experiences, continued to our last lunch in Perkins Cove, Ogunquit, where at old favorite Barnacle Billy’s, https://www.barnbilly.com/barnaclebillys-menu I enjoyed a scrumptious 1 -1/2 pound boiled lobster and, with my friend Howie Sholkin, shared a delicious whole-belly friend clams appetizer.

On the local sports scene, it’s been something of a case of bad to worse. The Red Sox after a recent spurt, with their surprising 4-win sweep of the Yankees, and 3-game win sweep of the Angels, are still 8 games below .500 and remain mired in last place. Then, the Celtics surprised us with even worse news — the trade of Jaylen Brown, my favorite Celtics player, a league standout and the team’s 2026 MVP, in a lopsided desperation move, a Mookie Betts-like salary dump, trading Brown within our division to the 76ers. In the words of old Sox announcer Ned Martin, “Mercy!”

On a brighter sports note, I have enjoyed watching and following the World Cup. Across the street from our office building at 101 Federal Street in downtown Boston, there is a great viewing area, with a huge TV screen and seating for 100, surrounded by the food court with 20 eateries at High Street Place Food Hall https://www.highstreetplace.com/ . It was there that I had some fun encounters with inebriated members of the “Tartan Army”, fans of the Scotland World Cup team, many clad in their kilts and even some with their bagpipes, and other fans of Norway who demonstrated their rowing used to rouse their team to success. I’ve also had fun rooting for the host USA team. Until the recent controversy and subpar team performance in our 4–1 loss to Belgium Monday night in Seattle in the Round of 16, this had been one of the best USA men’s team World Cup showing since the first World Cup almost a century ago in 1930 when in a vastly smaller field the US advanced to the semifinals and finished 3rd overall. Sad ending. Even more, I’ve enjoyed rooting for underdog teams from across the Globe, including upsets of great traditional soccer powers, Germany and Netherlands, and the great effort of tiny Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) with the team’s tenacious 40-year old goalkeeper , Josimar José Évora Dias, commonly known as Vozinha. In the classic match of Cape Verde vs Argentina, Vozinha made several excellent saves including a point blank save against Argentine legend Lionel Messi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1amv62-LOoc The Cape Verdeans came from behind to tie 2–2, pushing the Argentines to the brink before finally going down 3–2 in the 15-minute extra time. If you have gotten the chance to watch, hope you too have enjoyed this event.

As for Newsletter items, a week ago, IVYEXEC, the career advancement website published an article I wrote on challenges faced by Founder/CEOs who can become victims of success and what protections you should consider if you or a colleagues faces this dilemma. My July 2026 newsletter also offers two other professional article links, these are to two earlier articles I wrote in items #3 and #4. The first article is on covenants to safeguard non-financial executive pay, when you are taking a job mainly for reasons other than cash or equity compensation, published by CEOWORLD magazine in 2021 but still relevant. The second article discusses benefits, but also potential risks, of Board of Director service by C-level and senior executives, published CEOWORLD magazine in 2019 but also still relevant today. There is also a special offer as item #5, 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. Protections if you face the Founder CEO Dilemma

Are you a victim of your own success? Do you face the “Founder’s Dilemma”: A Founder CEO after a successful launch, now being pushed by the VCs to step aside for a “professional CEO” to lead the scale up to the liquidity event. My new article published a week ago, on July 1, in the IVYEXEC, career advancement website, offers advice and key protections that might benefit you to navigate the shoals of this situation… 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. Contract Covenants to Safeguard Non-Financial Executive Pay

As a CEO, C-level or senior executive, have you ever been paid in ways other than salary, bonus or equity? Sometimes you sacrifice those and even take further risks for “non-financial executive pay.” Those can be assignments in a new field, making key contacts, gaining skills exposure in your industry. My article published by CEOWORLD in May 2021, and still relevant today, gives two examples of a CFO client who wanted to lead his first IPO, and another client who wanted to be a first time CEO, and discusses the special contract covenants I drafted for them and others to safeguard their non-financial executive pay, to give them the best chance to achieve the career advancement for which they were making real financial and family sacrifices… Read the Article Here

4. 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

5. 7/2026 Offer: Good until July 24th

This 2-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 7/24/26. 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.

Bigger Tax Savings Provided by New Section 1202 Law

 

June 2026 Edition

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, this has not been the best of times for Boston’ s professional sports scene. June is normally baseball season but so far this has not been a good year for our Red Sox. Craig Breslow has made some fine pitching acquisitions including Sunny Gray (7–1). But last year’s ace Garrett Crochet, is this year’s bust and though Wilson Contreras has been a solid hitting off-season pickup at 1st base, there has been too little offense beyond him. Hence, the home club remains mired in last place.

With both our winter teams bounced in the first round of playoffs, like last month’s newsletter, I say once again when all else fails … there’s soccer. So in June, I will keep an eye on the World Cup to be played in North America for the first time in 32 years. Perhaps some of you will get the chance to see a match at “Boston Stadium”. (Aka Gillette) — if you get that chance at a price you can afford, please do GO!! For me, I have my own great World Cup memory. In 1994, I paid $5.00 and won a raffle at Chestnut Hill mall in Newton, MA- two tickets to a 1994 World Cup match. I attended with my dear friend, the late Hans Fenstermacher. We watched Argentina vs Greece from the high upper deck nose bleed seats of old Foxboro stadium. The legendary Diego Maradona was too much for the Greeks and Hans (a gifted linguist) in fluent Spanish, cheered lustily each of the five Argentine goals. Meanwhile, I sensed ever increasing hostility from our neighbors, almost all frustrated Greek fans in our cheep seats. To alleviate our peril, I regularly rose from my seat, screaming “HELLAS!” … each time evoking thunderous supportive cheers from our section. Hans and I did survive … and gosh what a memory we both shared. I do so miss my friend who sadly passed in January 2024… and for those able to attend this 2026 World Cup, my wish that you too will have a memorable experience.

Additionally, for me, there is another fun June sporting diversion with …Irish hurling. What is Irish Hurling? It’s not Curling a winter Olympic sport played on ice. No. Hurling is played on outdoor grassy fields bigger than US football and soccer fields. Hurling looks like a game of lacrosse, played with a wooden stick called a “hurley” that resembles a lacrosse stock. But the game has much more. It captures elements of baseball (hitting not pitching), rugby and soccer with scoring like US football . Here is link that tells more, a CBS 60 Minutes telecast — “Hurling: Ireland’s National Obsession” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ-TOK2FiI4

Two days ago on Sunday morning, I had breakfast at the Dubliner pub in Boston which had all seven TVs tuned into RTE for us to watch live the Munster Hurling Final. Once again as in June 2025, it was County Cork vs County Limerick, this time at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, jam packed with 44,000 fans on the banks of the River Lee in Cork City. A year ago, I was in the Emerald Isle in the middle of a wonderful June vacation trip. It was a music tour of the West of Ireland led by Aodh Og O’Tuama and Christy Martin, the husband/wife folk music duo “Four Shillings Short”. https://4shillingsshort.com/home (Here’s a link to my favorite song of theirs “The Bumper Sticker Song” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL3eyPlLKKE ) Well, hurling was one of our many highlights when a group of 11 from or tour group were introduced to the sport of hurling, as we all watched in Christy’s words “on the telly” this championship match of arch rivals at Gracie’s Bar, Sligo. That June 2025 encounter was a truly exciting match from Gaelic Grounds, Limerick — the match was level (tied) 17 times in regulation, tied in the 10-minute over time, and finally won by underdog Cork on penalty kicks — truly epic. And once again, two days ago, it was nip and tuck, as Cork led all the way but rarely by more then 3 and in the last minutes Limerick pulled even then ahead in the misty park with intermittent drizzle. In the end the green Treaty men of Limerick on the River Shannon prevailed 24–23 over the red Rebels of Cork on the River Lee. In the Dubliner pub, Sunday morning at 9:00am (2:00pm game-time in Cork), a sizable crowd of divided partisans, had already gathered. Like last year, I along with all of our tour group of 11 had rooted for Cork, (the team of Aodh Og O’Tuama and his father Patrick before him, who had played in the 1940’s with Cork hurling legend Christy Ring), and so Sunday morning I wore a red jersey. I took a seat at the bar joining a contingent of five young women, each working the summer in Boston, each wearing their red Cork jerseys brought from home. There were other Rebel group in red and also several other groups wearing green and rooting for Limerick. We the groups in red, were more numerous but green rooters were louder, and their team, as said, prevailed and in the end it was the captain of the Treaty mem who raised the cup of victory. Despite our loss, here are two further links to Irish folk music performances in 2025 that celebrate Cork hurling, the first by Kingfishr for a local Cork team Killeagh (Live From Cork) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBQ65EBKbdw the second by Ella Ryan, Rebels Rising — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km1_f2rK5AQ Once again, “UP THE REBELS!”

As for Newsletter items, the first item provides a link to an article I wrote published a couple weeks agon on May 27 by CEOWORLD Magazine on a provision of US Tax Law recently expanded that can allow significant and even total exclusion from tax of up to $15 million of gains on pre-IPO stock for CEOs and senior executives who join startup and early stage companies. This newsletter also has links, in items #3 and #4, to two other earlier articles of mine still relevant to CEOs, C-suite and senior executives. The first article discusses the implied covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing to protect what you have earned when you are terminated by your employer in bad faith, published earlier this years by IVYEXEC career advancement website. The other article #4 in this newsletter, is an article for senior executives considering, taking on, or continuing in the position of Chief Financial Officer and what to seek and negotiate for in the duties, contract terms, compensation and severance for your CFO position. 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 June!

1. Achieving Zero Taxation on Sale of Your Appreciated Stock

Are you considering joining an early stage company where stock will be an important part of your compensation package? My recent article published on May 27, by CEOWORLD Magazine, discusses how proper structuring of your equity grant as qualified small business stock (QSBS), may enable you to have zero Federal taxation on all of the appreciation on a sale of shares after 5 years. This new article includes tax law changes effective 7/4/25 to shield from tax up to $15 million of income and allow partial exclusion from tax with stock held for 3 years or 4 years. This article also fully discusses no-taxable rollover techniques and merits of rollover if you must sell your shares earlier than 3 years … 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. Protecting Your Earnings from Unfair Dealing by Your Employer

As a C-level or senior executive, 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 in January 2026 by IVYEXEC career advancement website, 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

4. Negotiating Your CFO Employment Agreement

If you have a new job offer or employment contract as a CFO or Chief Financial Officer, new article, published in July 2024 by IVYEXEC career advancement website, and still relevant, advises on special terms, authority, reliance, equity and executive compensation package, severance and other essential terms to negotiate. Read the Article Here

5. 5/2026 Offer: Good until June 23rd

This 2-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 6/23/25. 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/

X: @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.