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.

Key Terms to Negotiate in Your Next Executive Job Offer

Two weeks ago, on Wednesday October 25, 2023, the executive career advancement website IvyExec published an article I wrote on “Key Terms to Negotiate in your next Executive Job Offer”.

When you receive a job offer letter, how do you evaluate it? Do you accept the terms “as is” or do you negotiate? You do a great job negotiating deals for your company but do you always do as well when representing yourself?

This article explores the situations in which you negotiate the employment job offer, the terms you should focus on and their ramifications, and how an executive employment agreement attorney can help you.

Often CEO and senior executive recruits have considerable bargaining power. The employer wants and needs you. You may never be in a better position to negotiate further than you are at the moment of the job offer.

Assuming you get the salary and target bonus you are looking, there is still an awful lot on the table. Many of these items may be far more important than salary, including these key items fully discussed in my article:

• Signing Bonus
• Equity terms
• Equity Structure / Taxation
• Relocation
• Reliance
• Severance terms

Even if this is your only job offer, one at you must take, these terms are just too important to accept them “as is” without at least some effort to structure terms that don’t change the essential deal but still offer you important protections.

Sometimes just a word here or there, or an extra clause added by a skilled attorney can make an enormous change for you in realizing the benefit of your bargain or enabling you to leave a difficult situation you did not anticipate.

To see my full article, go to LINK: https://ivyexec.com/career-advice/2023/key-terms-to-negotiate-in-your-next-executive-job-offer

or my website, go to LINK: https://www.executiveemploymentattorney.com/key-terms-to-negotiate-in-your-next-executive-job-offer/

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/
​

If you or one of your colleagues is a CEO or senior executive who has received or expects to receive a new job offer, I am glad to assist. Please do reach out to me at 617–875–8665 or rob@attorneyadelson.com 

Navigating Past Clawbacks to Take a Competitor’s C-level Job Offer

Ten days ago yesterday, on Sunday April 30, 2023, CEOWorld magazine published an article I wrote on “Navigating Past Clawbacks to take a Competitor’s C-level Job Offer.”

This new article is designed for designed for CEOs, COOs, CFOs, C-level and senior executives, who would like to make a move, who are considering a new position, or who are being courted or recruited for a C-level position with a direct competitor company, but face a serious obstacle in even testing the waters with that direct competitor company. That serious obstacle comes in the form of significant clawback terms in your past executive equity grants with your company.

In many cases, these grants and the clawback rights accrued over the years, can potentially cost a departing executive millions of dollars. These dollars of forced repayment can thus pose a truly draconian deterrent to leaving to join a direct competitor.

How can you explore the opportunity and still protect yourself?

This article fully discusses this problem and then shares some of the author’s techniques representing C-level clients in major US corporations under just these circumstances. The article closes with advice to navigate the clawbacks peril to join a direct competitor, by fully preparing and covering yourself using the two-fold strategy set out in the article.

To see my full CEOWORLD magazine. article, go to LINK: https://ceoworld.biz/2023/04/30/navigating-past-clawbacks-to-take-a-competitors-c-level-job-offer/

Or on my website at https://www.executiveemploymentattorney.com/navigating-past-clawbacks-to-take-a-competitors-c-level-job-offer/

This was my 41st 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 41 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 that this article will be of benefit to CEOs, C-level and senior executives to offer insights and guidance for you to be able to explore what might be your best opportunity: an attractive C-suite job offer with a direct competitor. To do that, it may be important to first put in place proper safeguards to navigate past the serious potential liability if your current employer has clawbacks in place. If you or any colleague of yours has a need in this area, please do reach out to me @ 617–875–8665 or rob@attorneyadelson.com. 

CMO Employment Contract Tips to Protect You and Your Job

 On September 30, 2021, the website Ivy Exec published under executive “Advancing” an article I wrote on “CMO Employment Contract Tips to Protect You and Your Job”.

This new article is designed not only for C-level and senior executives, but even for many directors and mid-level executives, who currently are considering offers for the Chief Marketing Officer position but expect to soon receive such an executive job offer or who aspire to such an offer in the future.

As Chief Marketing Officer the executive may be expected to oversee all areas of a company’s overall promotion, branding, digital presence, advertising and sales strategy, as well as coordinating marketing efforts with the company’s product development, financial position and goals. My article mentions how responsibilities and authority of the CMO can vary by organization but often include most or all of these duties:

• Market research and analysis to better understand customer tastes and needs, and develop pricing strategy,
• Determination of the type of media best suited to reach target audience,
• Development and execution of a Digital marketing plan through various online and social media channels, proper SEO, email, and website development,
• Utilization where appropriate of advertising campaigns with giveaways, contests and other means to build interest in company products or services.

My article also discusses delineation of your duties, responsibilities, authority and reporting and including in your offer letter or employment contract key executive employment terms on which you rely to take the job.

Finally, but also importantly, my article next discusses what to seek in getting the right CMO Compensation Package, and concludes with a discussion of severance rights to enable you to protect the terms of your bargain reached with the company.

To see my full IvyExec Career Advice website article, go to LINK: https://www.ivyexec.com/career-advice/2021/cmo-employment-contract-tips

Or on my website at

https://www.executiveemploymentattorney.com/cmo-employment-contract-tips-to-protect-you-and-your-job/

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/

It is my hope that this article will be of benefit to VPs, directors and senior executives who have the opportunity to negotiate their first job offer to be Chief Marketing Officer or for those who are already CMOs and seek more appropriate terms in their next job offer. My article suggests terms and approaches to each of you and thus I hope will provide you a benefit in your negotiations.

Feel free to tweet or share this article. If you or any colleague of yours has a need in this area, please do reach out to me at rob@attorneyadelson.com.

Executive Contract Terms to Negotiate with Your Prospective Employer

On Tuesday June 22, 2021, the website Ivy Exec published under “Career Advice” an article I wrote on “Executive Contract Terms to Negotiate with Your Prospective Employer”.

 

This new article is designed for CEOs, C-level and senior executives, who are sometimes neglectful of their own interests and might be tempted to accept the assurance from a prospective employer that the job offer terms are just standard.  But executive contract terms are not standard.

My article discusses critical contract terms that, as a senior executive, you should consider negotiable to assure you are receiving fair financial treatment and to provide important protections to your career path and reputation.  I suggest negotiation strategies for key contract terms including: 

• Signing Bonus – to make you whole for what you are giving up from your job and also compensate you for the risks you are taking going into a new situation where you will have to prove yourself yet again,

• Meaningful Equity – giving you a stake in the company sufficient in size and upside potential to justify the move.

• Tax-favored Equity – with my structuring suggestions to maximize your take-home pay.

• Restrictive covenants – NDAs limited to not bar you from future utilization of  your prior knowledge and connections, Non-competes limited so no significant detour is created to the expected path for your future career growth,

• Severance triggers – to allow you to quit for good reason if the company fails to live up to promises you relied on accepting the offer;  

• Robust severance terms – with not only severance pay but continuation of health benefits, prorated bonus and equity acceleration.

My article then concludes with a discussion of other non-contract factors that go into the decision to accept a job offer such as compatibility with company, fit of skills and personality, and your belief in company prospects.  

But remember, even where you see a good fit going in, things can change: so, having a good contract is an important protection against your champion leaving or other unforeseen developments.

To see my full article, as published in the “Career Advice” section of the Ivy Exec website, go to LINK: https://www.ivyexec.com/career-advice/2021/executive-contract-terms-to-negotiate-with-your-prospective-employer/

 Or on my website at https://www.executiveemploymentattorney.com/articles-section/executive-contract-terms/

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/

It is my hope that this article will be of benefit to CEOs, C-level and senior executives who are contemplating a new job offer or employment contract and want to assure the key need financial terms and career protections are in place.  This article suggests to you what is negotiable and that it may be wise to seek these items even when you feel confident the job is a good fit for you.  Because sometimes, your champion may leave or other things might happen – so that, at that point, it might be comforting to you to know you have in writing critical contractual protections.

So, my hope is that this article will offer insights on these important matters. Feel free to tweet or share this article. If you or any colleague of yours has a need in this area, please do reach out to me.

Has a New Employer Withdrawn Your Executive Job Offer? How “Promissory Estoppel” can give you a legal remedy

Six days ago, on April 28, 2020, CEOWorld magazine published an article I wrote on “Has a New Employer Withdrawn Your Executive Job Offer? How “Promissory Estoppel” can give you a legal remedy”.  The magazine advised me that I can use “Featured in the CEOWORLD magazine” and the CEOWORLD “Logo” on my website.

This was my 27th article published in CEOWORLD. Earlier this year, the editor advised that I can add CEOWORLD magazine in my LinkedIn profile’s “Experience Section” as an “Opinion Columnist.” and authority in the field.  See https://ceoworld.biz/author/robert-adelson/

This article, my most recent, published April 28th , is designed for CEOs, C-level and senior executives, especially those who receive a job offer, then give notice to their current employer and later see the new offer rescinded or withdrawn due to the economic downturn or turmoil arising from the COVID-19 /coronavirus pandemic or other changes at the new employer.   With your old job now lost, this article discusses use of the legal doctrine of promissory estoppel as a remedy for the now out-of-work executive.

The article also indicates potential use of this promissory estoppel remedy in other cases where an employer does not honor other oral promises to the executive, on which he or she relied, including in these circumstances:

• Employer promised full executive employment contract and equity documents and termination occurs before those documents are delivered and signed,

• Executive’s acceptance of a job offer on the condition that he or she can attend a life cycle event and termination after you attend that event,

• Executive gives up a lucrative position to join the new company on the promise of important responsibilities and leadership, with termination before that promise is ever kept,

• Executives gives up other job offers to leave the employer on promise of new executive employment terms that are never fulfilled.

The article concludes on a cautionary note that while some major verdicts and settlements have been obtained by C-level executives using promissory estoppel against employers who failed to honor their promises, the doctrine is not universally upheld in the courts of all states. So, it is best to get your executive contract clear and in writing, but when you have not done that, consult with an experienced executive employment attorney and promissory estoppel may still give you a remedy.

To see my full CEOWorld magazine. article, go to LINK:

https://ceoworld.biz/2020/04/28/has-a-new-employer-withdrawn-your-executive-job-offer-how-promissory-estoppel-might-give-you-a-legal-remedy/

Or on my website at https://www.executiveemploymentattorney.com/has-a-new-employer-withdrawn-your-executive-job-offer-how-promissory-estoppel-might-give-you-a-legal-remedy/

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/

The editor has also advised that I can add CEOWORLD magazine in my LinkedIn profile’s “Experience Section” as an “Opinion Columnist.” and authority in the field.  See https://ceoworld.biz/author/robert-adelson/

Tweeting My new CEOWorld article on “Has a New Employer Withdrawn Your Executive Job Offer? How “Promissory Estoppel” can give you a legal remedy”

If you tweet and would like to Tweet my article, here is my three (3) tweets to retweet or to use in your own tweet –

Robert Adelson@attorneyadelson

4/28/20 article @ceoworld by @attorneyadelson for #CEOs #COOs #CLevel & #seniorexecutives on using #PromissoryEstoppel as a #legalremedy if you quit your position #inreliance on a New #joboffer & #NewEmployer #withdraws offer due to #COVID19 https://ceoworld.biz/2020/04/28/has-a-new-employer-withdrawn-your-executive-job-offer-how-promissory-estoppel-might-give-you-a-legal-remedy/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=SocialSnap … via @ceoworld

Has a New Employer Withdrawn Your Executive Job Offer? How “Promissory Estoppel” might give you a...

As a successful C-level or other senior executive, you may be lured by executive recruiters or otherwise by other companies seeking your talent, contacts and experience.  Suppose one of those...

ceoworld.biz

1

8:23 PM - Apr 28, 2020

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Robert Adelson@attorneyadelson

4/28/20 article @ceoworld by @attorneyadelson for #CEOs #COOs #CLevel and #seniorexecutives on using #PromissoryEstoppel as a #legalremedy if a #NewEmployer #Rescinds Your #JobOffer or breaks promises you #reliedupon to take the new position https://ceoworld.biz/2020/04/28/has-a-new-employer-withdrawn-your-executive-job-offer-how-promissory-estoppel-might-give-you-a-legal-remedy/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=SocialSnap … via @ceoworld

Has a New Employer Withdrawn Your Executive Job Offer? How “Promissory Estoppel” might give you a...

As a successful C-level or other senior executive, you may be lured by executive recruiters or otherwise by other companies seeking your talent, contacts and experience.  Suppose one of those...

ceoworld.biz

1

8:10 PM - Apr 28, 2020

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Robert Adelson@attorneyadelson

4/28/20 article @ceoworld by @attorneyadelson for #CEOs #COOs #CLevel and #seniorexecutives on - "Has a #NewEmployer #Rescinded Your #Executive #JobOffer due to #COVID19 or other reasons? How #PromissoryEstoppel might give you a #legalremedy https://ceoworld.biz/2020/04/28/has-a-new-employer-withdrawn-your-executive-job-offer-how-promissory-estoppel-might-give-you-a-legal-remedy/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=SocialSnap … via @ceoworld

Has a New Employer Withdrawn Your Executive Job Offer? How “Promissory Estoppel” might give you a...

As a successful C-level or other senior executive, you may be lured by executive recruiters or otherwise by other companies seeking your talent, contacts and experience.  Suppose one of those...

ceoworld.biz

1

8:01 PM - Apr 28, 2020

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It is my hope that this article will be helpful to suggest a potential remedy to CEOs, COOs, CMOs, other C-Level and senior executives who have been enticed to take a new executive position or to give up other opportunities, and, after acting in reliance on the promises made by the employer, find that the executive job offer is rescinded or withdrawn or the employer in some other way breaks an important promise made to you, on which you relied.   If you or any colleague of yours has a need in this area, please do reach out to me at rob@attorneyadelson.com.