June 2025 Executive Employment Law Newsletter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.      Severance Compensation Packages for Executives

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

4.       Negotiating your first C-Level Executive Employment Agreement

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

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

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

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

Let’s keep in touch! 

Best regards,

Rob

Robert Adelson

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

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

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

May 2025 Executive Employment Law Newsletter

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. DFP 55- Celebrating Independent Student Journalism  

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

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

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

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

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

5.       Negotiating Your CMO Employment Agreement

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

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

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

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

Let’s keep in touch! 

Best regards,

Rob

Robert Adelson

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

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

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

April 2025 Executive Employment Law Newsletter

I hope this email finds you well, that you are enjoying the longer days and later sunsets that beckon the arrival of spring.  In April we will have the Boston Marathon and also “AmRev250”.  So April 19, I hope to get a good viewing spot, to view North Bridge in Concord when Concord, Acton, Bedford and other minutemen reenactors recall the seminal events of April ‘75…. 1775, when the embattled farmers stood and fired the shot heard round the world … yes, the Battle of Lexington and Concord, where it all began.  

Also in April, March Madness continues, with Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Men’s Ice Hockey now down the Finals.  

In men’s basketball, my two Division I alma maters Northwestern and Boston University did not make the tournament, and all no. 1 teams are in Final Four.  No Cinderella teams in the Finals this year. 🙁 But best of luck to all, if your alma mater is still in contention or if you are still in the money with your brackets. 

In Men’s Hockey, a large contingent of Hockey East and Eastern teams contended, but only Boston University  survived to the Frozen Four with a thrilling 3-2 overtime win, last Saturday night, over ancient rival Cornell.  Congrats to Coach Jay Pandolfo:  he’s coached three years, and, in all three, his BU teams have gone to the Frozen Four.  I attended the Frozen Four in Tampa (2023) and St. Paul (2024) but cannot go to 2025 in St. Louis.  We lost those two times, and it is still my hope this 3rd time in a row, will be the charm – good luck Terriers! 

And in  professional sports, one of Boston’s winter teams will both soon start the playoffs.  The Bruins had a awful March (3-11) and will finish their season April 15 far from playoff contention. But the Celtics, happily, have gone in opposite direction.  With a record of 13-1 in March through March 30, we can hope the C’s stay hot as they seek to repeat as NBA champions despite stiff competition.  Despite recent losses we also start the Red Sox season with high hopes after several acquisitions in the off season.  I do look forward to attending Opening Day at Fenway this Friday, with an opening day first:  the Sox will host their frequent past World Series season opponents,  the NL’s formidable St. Louis Cardinals!

As for Newsletter items, last week, IVYEXEC career advancement website published an article of mine on using QSBS to potentially shield from taxation  up to $10 million in gains on executive and angel investor stock. 

Further into this April  Newsletter, item #3 is an older article of mine,  published in CEOWORLD magazine, reposted today, around the time of April Opening Day around the Major Leagues, offers an especially grim and powerful example of misalignment in incentive compensation.  In that case example, incentive compensation misalignment of a baseball team’s  ace starting pitcher sparked the worst episode in Major League Baseball’s almost 150-year history (since the founding of the National League in 1876).  In that infamous episode, the “Black Sox Scandal”, the American League champions, the favored Chicago White Sox, played to lose the World Series.  Star White Sox players accepted cash bribes from Boston and New York based gamblers to “fix” the 1919 World Series in favor of the underdog Cincinnati Reds.  Amid the public uproar, and the grave threat posed to the future of the sport itself, in 1920, the MLB team owners appointed the first-ever  Commissioner of Baseball.  Despite Illinois court cases and acquittals of all the accused players, that new Commissioner delivered baseball’s own verdict. Commissioner Landis ruled “8 Men Out” – the accused eight professional ballplayers were barred from baseball, each of the eight accused lost their livelihoods, thrown out of organized baseball …for life…and it all happened due to misalignment.

That 4th  Newsletter item is another older  article of mine published by IVYEXEC,  on startup C-level executive salary, equity and severance terms.

The last Newsletter item, Item #5 is a special offer on negotiation of C-level and senior executive job offers.  As always,  I hope some of these items might be of interest and  benefit… and best wishes to all for the rest of April!  😊 

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 article published ten days ago, on March 21,  by IVYEXEC career advancement website, discusses how proper structuring of your equity grant as qualified small business stock (QSBS), may enable you to have zero Federal taxation on all or most of the appreciation on a sale of shares after 5 years, including several key techniques you might find beneficial… 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 yourself against Executive Compensation Misalignment

Are you a C-level or a senior executive with performance compensation based on cliff vesting? Is your performance opportunity subject to discretionary actions of an owner, a Board of Directors or the investors, whose interests might at some point become averse to your own?  That situation – executive compensation misalignment – was the root cause of the biggest scandal in US sports history. Due to that misalignment, star players of the Chicago White Sox fixed the 1919 World Series. That example and others are discussed in my article published by CEOWORLD  Magazine 3/31/2021  to coincide with MLB Opening Day.  My article is reposted now to coincide with the 2025 MLB season, with opening day around the Najor Leagues last Thursday March 27.  In this CEOWORLD article, I also offer ways for you, as executive, to avoid such harmful misalignment in your own executive compensation negotiations.  Read the Article Here

4.       Startup C-Level Executive Salary, Equity and Severance

Are you a senior executive looking to move up to C-level by joining a startup? Being a startup C-level executive can be rewarding in many ways.  But taking that role has many risks too.  My article published in 2023  by the IVYEXEC career advancement website, advises on key protections to negotiate as well as other terms to seek to ensure that  if the startup succeeds, you too will share financially in that success. Read the Article Here

5.      4/2025 Offer:  Good until April 30th  

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

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

Let’s keep in touch! 

Best regards,

Rob

Robert Adelson

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

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

This post was originally published in https://robadelson.wordpress.com/2025/03/29/april-2025-executive-employment-law-newsletter/

March 2025 Executive Employment Law Newsletter

 I hope this email finds you and your family in good health.  We are now into March, with this executive employment law newsletter reaching you on March 4th, which date has a place in US history. On this date, on a cool mostly cloudy afternoon in Washington D.C. 92 years ago, March 4, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt took the oath of office to become the 32nd U.S. President.  He told a nation, during some of the worst days of the Great Depression, that the “only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. With his courage, candor, intelligence, and indomitable spirit, he would go on to lead America through those hard days and then through World War II that would follow, as our nation’s longest serving President.  See link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khFwYWWF6Tc

Meanwhile winter continues.  For those like my wife who relishes her winter sports, I do hope there will be sufficient snow and ice this last month of winter.  For those like me who look forward to warmer weather, perhaps you will get a chance to sneak off for time in the sun in warmer places.

March madness will soon begin and to all with your brackets and betting favorites, and for those out there with alma maters in the NCAA Basketball Tournament  – all best of luck! For my two tournament-eligible alma maters, this has not been the best of years, but both still do nurse their slim NCAA Tournament chances. Boston University – with four Patriot League wins in its last five games, the Terriers will host Navy in a first round PL tournament game at the “Roof” this Thursday.  Northwestern, after recent 20-win seasons, has been well below that this season, near the bottom of the 18-team “Big Ten.”  However, with 3 recent Big Ten wins, the Wildcats may finish among the top 15 to at least compete in the Big Ten Conference Tournament, March 12-16 in Indianapolis. So, hoping both BU and NU can stay hot through their respective Conference Tournaments though both are long shots for the 2025 Big Dance.

Meanwhile in men’s college hockey, BU won the Beanpot 4-1 in an upset over BC at TD Garden on Feb. 10, but BC remains firmly no.1 atop the college ice hockey national rankings. Hockey East remains strong with five New England college teams ranked among the top ten in national polls. So perhaps we will see a rare all-Eastern final at the Frozen Four in St. Louis April 10 to 12. All the while, in our professional winter sports, the Bruins are struggling and the Celtics are having a solid season and we can hope both will make the playoffs with a decent playoff run for the Celtics beginning next month. The Celtics will be defending their NBA championship but competition will be stiff.

As for Newsletter items, last week, CEOWORLD magazine published an article of mine on FAQs – my answers to Frequently Asked Questions that I receive on executive compensation, executive equity and negotiations.  Further into this March Newsletter, items #3 and #4 are two older articles of mine, both published in IVYEXEC career advancement website,#3 published in 2022 on leveraging  your strengths in negotiating for key terms in executive retention packages, #4 published in 2023 on terms to negotiate for in your new job offer or employment contract as a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or a Chief Information Officer (CIO). Item #5 is a special offer also on executive retention. As always,  I hope some of these items might be of interest and  benefit… and my best wishes to all for the rest of March!

1.       Answers to FAQs on Executive Compensation and Equity Packages

My article published a week ago, on Feb. 25, in CEOWORLD magazine, gives answers to a series of frequently asked questions over executive compensation, equity packages and negotiations.  These include when to seek and what to seek for a signing  bonus, how much to seek and how to structure your executive equity, what terms to seek for triggers and benefits in severance, plus my answers to other key questions C-level and senior executives have asked me… questions that you have as well. 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 Retention Packages – Terms and Negotiations

Do you have now, or Do you soon expect an attractive job offer to leave your CEO or senior executive position?  Is your company “in play”?  Are you nearing a funding milestone?  Are there other reasons why your company has dependence on you and strong desire for you not to leave now.  My article, published in 2022 by IVY EXEC career advancement website, discusses the negotiation and terms for retention agreements in those and other circumstances, where you, as the executive have leverage, and seek to realize important protections and benefits in connection with the company’s need to retain your services.  Read the Article Here

4.       Negotiating terms of Your CTO or CIO Job Offer

If you have a new job offer or employment contract as a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or a Chief Information Officer (CIO) in a tech or life sciences company or another company involved with the internet or innovation economy, my February 2023  article published in IVYEXEC career advancement website,  advises on terms for authority, interface and support for your position, protection of your own ideas and inventions, compensation, equity and other essential terms to negotiate   Read the Article Here

5.      3/2025 Offer:  Good until March 31st  

This almost 4-weeks value-packed offer, is as a way to get introduced to my law work: Executive Employment Retention Law Diagnostic — this offer is good through 3/31/25.   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
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:
*As mentioned in bullet no. 2 of the January 2020 Business Law Newsletter, Robert A. Adelson is now 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.  The new firm’s offices, at 101 Federal Street, 19th Floor, are across the street from the prior offices at One Federal Street, 21st Floor, in Boston’s Financial District.

Executive Contract Negotiations for Life Sciences Executives

On Wednesday October 9, 2024, the executive career advancement website IvyExec published an article I wrote, “Executive Contract Negotiations for Life Sciences Executives.

This article was designed for CEOs and other C-Suite, VPs or other senior executives in Medical Device, Biotechnology and other life science companies who, when negotiating a new job offer or employment contract or terms of executive compensation, need to give attention to essential employment terms in these fast growing and changing industries.

My article indicates how in these negotiations, the executive should seek key executive employment terms in the following important areas:

• Signing bonus to at least make you whole for anything you are giving up,
• Performance targets geared to your type and stage of life science company and its exit goals,
• Equity in scope and form matched to your position, stage of company and potential tax issues
• Relocation and other expenses (e.g. maintaining your M.D. license) again to keep you whole when you change companies.

The article also discusses executive severance terms and triggers for your protection in case changes necessitate you to change companies in the future.

To see my full article, go to LINK: https://ivyexec.com/career-advice/2024/executive-contract-negotiations-for-life-sciences-executives

or my website, go to LINK: https://www.executiveemploymentattorney.com/executive-contract-negotiations-for-life-sciences-executives/

IvyExec hosts articles and webinars from experts in the career, leadership, and business spaces who wish to share their knowledge with our audience. In April 2021, I was invited to write for IvyExec since it seeks original content on the topics of career development, leadership, and business strategy as it applies to senior-level and C-Suite professionals. IvyExec blog posts and webinars are shared with its community of more than 2 million members on its website, in its newsletter, and on its social media channels. https://www.ivyexec.com/career-advice/write-for-us/
IvyExec claims a “Community of 2.5M+ Leaders”. See also — https://www.ivyexec.com/

It is my hope that this article will be helpful to CEOs and other senior executives in the medical device, biotechnology or other life science industries who are negotiating new executive job offers, employment contracts or executive compensation packages and should pay attention to the essential contract terms discussed in my article.

If you or any colleague of yours has a need in this area, please do reach out to me at rob@attorneyadelson.com or call 617–875–8665.

Keeping and Using Your Ace in the Hole in Negotiating Your C-level Executive Contract

 On Friday August 30, 2024, CEOWORLD magazine published an article I wrote titled, “Keeping and Using Your Ace in the Hole in Negotiating Your C-level Executive Contract.”

The new article is designed for CEOs, C-level and senior executives and those executives  who aspire to the C-suite.  This article discusses how, based on my experience representing C-suite executives, that by holding back a little – keeping an ace in the hole, as they say – you will create a sense of anticipation, increase your value in the eyes of the company, and ultimately enhance chances of achieving your desired executive contract terms.

The article goes on to discuss how we’ve applied this strategy of ascertaining and then using this “Ace in the Whole” strategy in three different types of executing contracting situations –

• Job Offer / Employment Agreement  – For example, you might outline a new approach to optimizing operational efficiency or a plan to expand into new markets. However, make it clear that these strategies are just the beginning. Let the company know that you have other strategies and ideas in your pocket, that could be deployed for the benefit of the company, if you are hired and take the position.

• Termination / Separation Agreement – in severance negotiations, part of your leverage would come from release potential claims, but other leverage may come from your knowledge, experience and contacts, and your potential use to the company in post-termination paid transition services and consulting. Here you might suggest three particular assignments for yourself that address particular gaps created by your separation…. But again not telling, even suggesting you envision several other impactful assignments, not to be discussed unless and until the company commits to reasonable severance terms.   

• Independent Consulting / Consulting between positions –  In this further application of the “Ace in the Hole” strategy, you may hold back on consulting for others and particular needs and requests, until after you’ve established yourself with the company with whom you’ve started consulting, and you could also hold off on moving to a fulltime C-level position (if offered) until the company reaches terms you seek.

I am a fan of Country Music.  So, both this executive contract strategy and the impetus to write this article drew inspiration from the great song by the Country Music singer, the legendary George Strait and  his song ,  “Ace in the Hole”.  The lyrics –

You’ve got to have an ace in the hole

A little secret that nobody knows

Life is a gamble, a game we all play

But you need to save something for a rainy day

You’ve got to learn to play your cards right

If you expect to win in life

Don’t put it all on the line for just one roll

You’ve got to have an ace in the hole

If you’re headed down a one way street

And you’re not sure it’s the way you wanna go

In money or love or all the above

Have a little more than what you show

When life deals out a surprise

Have a few surprises of your own

No matter what you do, no matter where you go

You’ve got to have an ace in the hole

Source for lyrics:  https://genius.com/George-strait-ace-in-the-hole-lyrics 

Video:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK854RfHFAc

To see my full CEOWORLD magazine. article, go to LINK: https://ceoworld.biz/2024/08/30/keeping-and-using-your-ace-in-the-hole-in-negotiating-your-c-level-executive-contract/

Or on my website at  https://www.executiveemploymentattorney.com/keeping-and-using-your-ace-in-the-hole-in-negotiating-your-c-level-executive-contract/

This was my 47th  article published in CEOWORLD since 2016.  Previously, the editor advised that I can use “Featured in the CEOWORLD magazine” and the CEOWORLD “Logo” on my website and add CEOWORLD magazine in my LinkedIn profile’s “Experience Section” as an “Opinion Columnist.” and authority in the field.  

On its own initiative, CEOWORLD magazine created on their website a library of Robert Adelson published articles.   You can peruse this library and/or read as many of my 44 published articles as you wish.  See https://ceoworld.biz/author/robert-adelson/

With more than 12.4+ million-page views, CEOWORLD magazine is the world’s leading business magazine written strictly for CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, senior management executives, business leaders, and high net worth individuals worldwide. https://www.linkedin.com/company/ceomagazine/

It is my hope this new article will be beneficial to CEOs, C-level executives, VPs and other senior executives and those aspire to C-suite positions to use this “Ace-in-the-Hole” strategy in your own negotiations over important executive contracts in the course of your career.

If you or any colleague of yours has a need in this area, please do reach out to me –  rob@attorneyadelson.com or call 617-875-8665.