Our Boston Severance Lawyers represent employers and employees.
Did you receive a severance package and are looking for a Boston Severance Lawyer? A Boston Severance Lawyer can assist you with the review and negotiation of you severance package. We will review the agreement thoroughly, schedule a meeting with you either in person or by telephone and will discuss all of the various items contained in your severance and general release agreement. We will provide you with our comments, changes/revisions and additions to the agreement. In addition, we will thoroughly review the circumstances surrounding your termination of employment in order to determine whether you have a potential lawsuit against the company.
Boston and the State of Massachusetts do not have specific laws requiring your employer to provide you with a certain amount of severance. However, the employer may have a policy regarding a certain amount of severance to be offered to an employee (i.e. 2 weeks for each year of service). This does not mean that you cannot negotiate with the employer to try and increase the amount. A potential claim or lawsuit will provide you with the leverage to try and negotiate more. In addition, often Boston employers will provide certain incentives, or agree to provide them as part of the negotiation, that could be converted into money instead of received the benefit. We will cover all of these items with you during the review.
A Boston Severance Lawyer will cover in detail all of your concerns and questions. This is a difficult time and the human resources department will commonly refer to the severance package as a “form” or “standard” agreement. It may be based on a form, but it is their form that they spent a significant amount of time and money having an attorney prepare for them to protect themselves. That is why we recommend that you hire an experienced Boston Severance Lawyer to assist you in your review.
Step 2. Our office will schedule a date and time for the meeting (either in person, Zoom or by phone). All meetings can be scheduled within 24 hours.
Step 3. Our severance package lawyer will conduct a thorough review of the agreement before discussing it carefully with you and answering your questions.
Step 4. Our attorneys will send you a detailed email regarding any changes, revisions, or other items that need addressing with your previous employer. You will then have the option to negotiate with your employer directly on your behalf to retain us to negotiate for you to try to improve the terms and amount of severance pay.
Client reviews
“Would recommend Paul to anyone.”
This law firm helped me achieve the results that I needed. Would recommend Paul to anyone that feels as though they have been wronged and need legal guidance and assistance.
- Al W.
“They gave my case all the time and attention that was needed to be successful.”
My experience with Severance Lawyers was excellent. They gave my case all the time and attention that was needed to be successful. They were a calming and confident presence during a difficult and uncertain time for me. Their guidance was outstanding at all times, prompt, professional, timely and open for calls and quick updates. They invested the time to work through all of my questions and issues. I can’t thank them enough and would hire them again.
- Wendy G.
“From start to finish Tom was there to help me out every step of the way with our case.”
Tom and his staff understand the law very well. They are quick to return calls, take the initiative, and explain things in a way I can understand. From start to finish Tom was there to help me out every step of the way with our case. I am glad to have Tom and his team on my side. I simply cannot thank them enough!
- Michelle M.
“Helped turn my lemons into lemonade.”
I found myself in a challenging & stressful situation that required legal representation and their attorney Paul Castronovo handled it beyond my expectations. Paul is incredibly experienced/knowledgeable and I just felt like I was in good hands the entire time. Paul has a calming demeanor too–which is helpful in these stressful situations. Paul helped turn my lemons into lemonade.
- Tucker W.
“His confidence shined through instilling the confidence in me and peace of mind having him by my side.”
Tom McKinney’s prompt attention, articulate and comprehensive advice addressed my Employment Agreement related issue. His confidence shined through instilling the confidence in me and peace of mind having him by my side. If you’re dealing with the proverbial ‘blood sucking’ company, look no further than Tom’s voice of reason.
- Sweta M.
“He was professional and knowledgeable in employment law.”
Going to Tom and his team for my case was the best decision I made. He was professional and knowledgeable in employment law. He helped me reach a resolution and I could not recommend him enough for anyone else out there.
- Austin S.
“I have referred him to friends in NJ and NY.”
Tom McKinney is one of the best attorneys that I know…whether to negotiate on your behalf or reviewing your agreement to make sure you are getting maximum value for your compensation. From stock options to deferred compensation. I have referred him to friends in NJ and NY.
- Sean C.
“Tom was prudent in having me use his services and I did not overpay when not needed.”
I had Tom review my severance agreement. He provided a lot of valuable insight. I was able to go back to my employer with various points and double my package. Tom was prudent in having me use his services (told me to go back to my employer before fully engaging him) and I did not overpay when not needed. Other lawyers could have easily taken advantage of my situation and over-lawyered the situation.
How long do I have to sign the severance documents?
When companies terminate employees and provide a severance package, the goal of the severance is to benefit both the company and the employee. Therefore, the employee has time to review the agreement. Review timelines depend on employee age and the number of people terminated simultaneously.
Employees under the age of 40 – No set time frame, but it must be reasonable and ample enough to review and understand the components.
Employees over the age of 40 – 21 days to review and sign and 7 days to reconsider and revoke your signature.
Multiple terminations at once – 45 days to review and sign and 7 days to reconsider and revoke your signature.
How is severance pay calculated?
Several factors go into severance pay amounts. Employees in higher management positions may receive additional benefits like longer pay terms, office equipment, or medical benefits.
Typical payouts can last up to 26 weeks and go by the following calculations:
Hourly Employees: Number of years with company X 1 week of regular pay = Severance Pay $ Total
Salaried Employees: Number of years with company X 2 weeks of regular pay = Severance Pay $ Total
Am I entitled to severance pay?
No, most companies provide a severance agreement when they lay off or fire an employee. Offering a severance package is entirely optional for the company. Most companies only do it to protect themselves from future lawsuits, the employee going to a competitor company, or adverse claims from the employee. The company takes multiple factors into account when preparing the packages.