J. Madison PLC
Practice AreasExecutive / Severance
Executive Contracts & Severance Lawyers
A sophisticated employment bargain is more than boilerplate. Whether you are entering a C-suite role, protecting deferred compensation, or restructuring a high-stakes severance, we negotiate for cash timing, benefits continuity, and real mobility — not a rubber-stamped exit package. Pure contract and severance counseling is a Virginia engagement; if federal discrimination or whistleblower claims supply the leverage, we can evaluate those federal claims nationwide.
J. Madison PLC is licensed in Virginia. We handle Virginia employment matters and federal employment claims (including EEOC, MSPB, FCA, and Defense Contractor Whistleblower Protection Act matters) nationwide where permitted. Pure other-state law claims may require local counsel, which you may be able to find through our affiliate network.
Executive contract & severance services
We represent high-earning executives, directors, and technical specialists in Virginia matters and in exits where federal employment claims are part of the leverage. We understand compensation structures, tax timing pressure, and — for government contracting leaders — FAR and OCI constraints.
- Severance restructuring: Recharacterizing discretionary “retention” money into enforceable settlements, 14-day payment terms, and benefits matches when facts support leverage.
- Deferred compensation & equity: Protecting deferred pay, options, and fringe plans from post-termination manipulation.
- Non-competes & covenants: Assessing Virginia enforceability and negotiating narrow geographic and temporal scopes. Non-Virginia covenant regimes may require local counsel.
- FAR / OCI safe harbors: For contracting executives, tailored schedules and indemnification language where appropriate under federal contracting rules.
Cloud Counsel
Upload your agreement, equity docs, and exit emails into Cloud Counsel so counsel can negotiate from a complete record.
Learn how Cloud Counsel worksFrequently Asked Questions
Is severance negotiation usually hourly or contingent?
Severance and contract review are often hourly or flat-fee. If the exit overlaps with federal discrimination or retaliation claims (or a Virginia statutory claim), contingent-fee evaluation may also be available.
How fast can you review an agreement?
Upload the documents to Cloud Counsel and contact us. Timing depends on deadline pressure in the agreement; many packages give 14–21 days to consider.
Do you negotiate executive packages outside Virginia?
Virginia-law contract counseling requires a Virginia nexus. If the leverage is a federal employment claim, we can evaluate that federal claim nationwide; pure out-of-state contract or non-compete advice may require local counsel, which you may be able to find through our affiliate network.