PRACTICE AREA
Severance Agreement Lawyers in Los Angeles
A severance agreement can significantly impact your financial future and legal rights. Before you sign anything, our attorneys review severance packages, negotiate better terms, and ensure you are not giving up valuable claims for inadequate compensation.
Schedule a free consultation today to have a trusted Los Angeles attorney review your severance agreement before you sign.
What Is a Severance Agreement?
A severance agreement is a contract between an employer and a departing employee that typically provides financial compensation in exchange for a release of legal claims against the employer. These agreements are commonly offered during layoffs, terminations, or voluntary departures and can include cash payments, continued benefits, outplacement services, and other terms.
In California, employers are not legally required to offer severance packages (unless required by an employment contract or company policy). However, when severance is offered, it almost always comes with conditions — most importantly, a general release of claims that bars the employee from suing the employer for wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage violations, or other legal claims.
The release of claims is the most consequential provision in any severance agreement. If you sign a release without understanding its implications, you may be giving up claims worth far more than the severance offered. This is particularly important for employees over 40, who have additional protections under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA).
At Novian & Novian, our severance agreement attorneys review every provision, assess the value of potential claims you may be releasing, and negotiate significantly better terms. We have saved clients from signing away valuable claims and have secured severance packages many times larger than what was initially offered.
How Can a Severance Agreement Lawyer Help?
A severance agreement lawyer reviews the terms of your severance package, evaluates whether you have underlying legal claims worth more than the severance offered, and negotiates improved terms on your behalf. Having an attorney review your severance agreement is one of the most valuable investments you can make when leaving a job.
Our severance agreement attorneys at Novian & Novian analyze every clause — including the release of claims, non-disparagement provisions, confidentiality requirements, non-compete restrictions, cooperation clauses, and payment terms. We assess whether you have claims for wrongful termination, discrimination, or other violations that increase your leverage, and we negotiate aggressively for better terms.
If you have been offered a severance agreement, contact Novian & Novian before you sign. Our Los Angeles attorneys will review your package, explain your rights, and fight for the best possible terms.
What Our Clients Say
“My employer offered me two weeks of severance after 12 years. Novian & Novian identified potential discrimination claims and negotiated a package worth over ten times the original offer. Getting an attorney was the best decision I made.”
— Former Client, Los Angeles
“Novian & Novian reviewed my severance agreement and found an unenforceable non-compete clause and a problematic non-disparagement provision. They negotiated both out and improved the financial terms significantly.”
— Former Client, Santa Monica
“I was pressured to sign my severance within days. Novian & Novian stepped in, explained my OWBPA rights, and secured a much better package. Their prompt action was invaluable.”
— Former Client, Culver City
Why Should You Choose Novian & Novian for Your Severance Agreement?
Novian & Novian has reviewed and negotiated hundreds of severance agreements across California for over 35 years — from entry-level packages to multi-million-dollar executive severance deals.
Our attorneys combine severance negotiation expertise with deep employment law knowledge. We identify underlying claims, assess their value, and use that leverage to negotiate significantly better severance terms for our clients.
Hundreds of Severance Agreements Reviewed
We have reviewed and negotiated severance packages across every industry and seniority level. We know what is standard, what is below market, and what should be improved.
Underlying Claims Assessment
We evaluate whether you have claims for wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, or wage violations that significantly increase your negotiating leverage.
Aggressive Negotiation
Employers expect their initial severance offers to be accepted. We negotiate from a position of strength, often securing packages several times larger than the original offer.
Protecting Your Future Rights
We ensure severance agreements do not include unenforceable non-compete clauses, overly broad non-disparagement provisions, or other terms that could harm your future career.
Prompt Review and Turnaround
Severance agreements often have tight deadlines. We provide prompt review and negotiation to ensure you meet all deadlines without rushing into a bad deal.
FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions:
Should I Have a Lawyer Review My Severance Agreement?
Absolutely. Severance agreements contain complex legal provisions — most importantly a release of all claims against your employer. An attorney can identify valuable claims you may be giving up, negotiate better terms, and ensure you are not harmed by problematic clauses.
How Much Severance Am I Entitled To?
In California, there is no legal requirement for employers to provide severance unless required by contract or policy. The amount offered often depends on your tenure, position, the circumstances of your departure, and whether you have potential legal claims. An attorney can assess what is fair.
Can I Negotiate My Severance Package?
Yes. Most initial severance offers are negotiable. Employers expect negotiation, and employees with potential legal claims have significant leverage. An attorney-negotiated severance is often substantially higher than the initial offer.
What Is the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA)?
OWBPA provides additional protections for employees over 40 who are offered severance agreements. It requires that the release be written in plain language, the employee be advised to consult an attorney, the employee have at least 21 days to consider (45 days in group layoffs), and the employee have 7 days to revoke after signing.
What Claims Am I Giving Up by Signing?
Most severance agreements include a general release covering all claims — wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage violations, and more. An attorney can assess the value of these claims before you sign.
What If I Already Signed a Severance Agreement?
You may still have options. If the agreement was procured through fraud, duress, or does not comply with OWBPA requirements (for employees over 40), it may be challengeable. Consult an attorney as soon as possible.
Offered a Severance Agreement? Get It Reviewed Before You Sign.
Our Los Angeles severance agreement attorneys review, negotiate, and improve severance packages. Contact Novian & Novian for a free consultation today.
CALL: