You just lost your job. You’re devastated. Then someone from HR slides papers across the desk. “This is your severance offer. Sign here. You have until Friday.”
Friday? Three days away. You look at the paper. The words blur together. You see a dollar amount. Is it fair? You don’t have a clue. You just feel grateful they’re offering anything at all.
Here’s what your employer won’t tell you: that first offer is rarely their best offer. And those papers you’re about to sign could cost you thousands of dollars, legal rights, and your ability to speak the truth.
So, should you hire a lawyer to negotiate severance? The real question is: can you afford NOT to?
Having Severance Review Lawyer in your corner changes everything. Suddenly, you’re not alone. You’re not confused. And you’re definitely not powerless.
Why Do Employers Even Offer Severance in the First Place?
If they’re letting you go, why pay you anything?
Because they want something from you.
They want your silence. Your signature on a release. They want to make sure you can’t sue them later for discrimination, wage theft, wrongful termination, or retaliation. That severance check isn’t a gift. They’re buying your rights.
Employers know exactly what they’re offering and what they’re asking you to give up. Do you?
Most workers don’t. That’s the advantage they’re counting on.
Look at California’s tech sector in 2024-2025. According to the LA Times, LinkedIn eliminated over 280 Bay Area positions. HP cut thousands. Meta, Intel, and Genentech all announced massive layoffs. Workers received offers within hours of losing their jobs. Many signed that same day. Later, they discovered what they’d given up. Too late.
When you bring in a severance negotiation attorney, that information gap closes. You can make informed decisions.
What Can a Lawyer Actually Do for My Severance?
A lawyer spots the traps hidden behind the legal jargon. They are familiar with which clauses courts reject and which terms violate California law. They’ve done this hundreds of times.
Here’s what a severance review attorney does:
Identifies Unlawful Terms in Severance Agreements
California Labor Code section 206.5 makes it illegal for employers to require you to sign a release before paying wages you already earned. But employers still try.
Under California’s “Silenced No More Act,” you cannot be forced to stay silent about workplace discrimination or harassment. Many agreements violate this law.
Negotiates Better Terms
More weeks of pay. Extended health benefits. Removal of silence clauses. Neutral reference letters. These things are negotiable. Most people just don’t know how to ask.
Protects Your Future
California Business and Professions Code section 16600 makes most non-compete clauses illegal in this state, yet employers still include them. A good lawyer makes sure your next job isn’t at risk.
Fights Unfair Pressure
Employers often rush workers into signing. “This offer expires Friday.” This is a pressure tactic, not a rule. A severance lawyer takes control of the process and prevents employers from rushing you into costly mistakes.
Your employer has lawyers drafting that agreement. Shouldn’t you have one reviewing it?
Should I Hire a Lawyer to Negotiate My Severance If I’m Not an Executive?
Yes. Absolutely yes.
Legal help isn’t just for the corner office. Whether you made $50,000 or $500,000, your rights matter. And the tricks employers use? They’re the same at every level.
Regular employees often face more pressure to sign quickly. Employers don’t expect them to have any legal help. That’s exactly why you need a severance negotiation attorney most.
As the recent wave of California layoffs showed, speed favors employers—not workers. When offers are rushed, rights are quietly surrendered.
Don’t let urgency steal your leverage. Don’t let fear make you sign.
What About Executives and Complex Severance Packages?
Executives face higher stakes. Your severance involves stock options, deferred compensation, bonuses, and unvested equity. The agreements are far more complex.
An attorney for severance negotiation for executives understands what matters:
- Accelerated vesting of stock options
- Continued participation in bonus plans
- COBRA subsidies or extended health coverage
- Outplacement services and executive coaching
- Non-solicit and confidentiality limitations that don’t block your next role
A poorly worded separation agreement can damage your ability to get your next board seat or C-suite role. Your lawyer negotiates terms that protect both your payout and your professional future.
You worked hard for years to get where you are. Don’t let one bad agreement backtrack it.
Can a Lawyer Help If There’s Already a Dispute?
Absolutely. That’s when you need the best legal help for severance disputes most urgently.
Disputes may include:
- Your employer offered severance, then pulled it back.
- You signed, but now they won’t pay what they promised.
- They’re demanding you repay severance because you got a new job.
- They’re threatening to sue you for violating terms you never agreed to.
Without a lawyer, you’re fighting alone against a company with a full legal team.
Recent California cases show courts will enforce fair agreements but reject those that violate public policy. In 2024, California employment trial lawyer Mo Eldessouky secured a $34.7 million defamation and wrongful termination verdict against Walmart. That case reminded employers they can’t silence workers through severance agreements when serious misconduct occurred.
Under California law, severance agreements cannot waive your right to file claims for unpaid wages or overtime. If your employer is playing games, a lawyer levels the field.
How Do I Know If My Offer Is Even Negotiable?
Here’s the truth: almost everything is negotiable.
They hand you the offer and say, “This is standard.” Or, “Everyone gets the same package.” Those statements? They’re designed to stop you from asking questions.
A severance package negotiation lawyer knows what’s negotiable:
- Number of weeks of severance pay
- Health insurance continuation
- Payout of unused vacation and sick leave
- Timing of payments (lump sum vs. salary continuation)
- Neutral reference letters
- Confidentiality limits that comply with California law
Think about it. If the terms were truly non-negotiable, why would they need you to sign a release?
What Mistakes Do People Make When Negotiating Alone?
- Signing Too Fast: You feel grateful. You feel scared. You sign within hours. Later, you realize you left money on the table.
- Not Reading Everything: You look at the severance amount and skip the rest. But the rest is where the danger lives. The releases. The clauses.
- Accepting the First Offer: First offers are rarely the best offers. Employers expect pushback. When you don’t push, they keep their money.
- Waiving Unknown Claims: Many agreements include language waiving “unknown claims” under California Civil Code 1542. That means you’re giving up rights to sue for things you don’t even know about yet. Most people have no idea what this means.
- Not Getting Promises in Writing: Your manager says, “Don’t worry, we’ll give you a good reference.” If it’s not in the agreement, it’s not enforceable.
- Believing Threats: “Sign now or we pull the offer.” “If you get a lawyer, we won’t give you anything.” These are pressure tactics. Often empty threats. A lawyer calls the bluff.
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
You just lost your job. Money is tight. Can you afford a lawyer?
Many employment lawyers, including Severance Review Lawyer, work on contingency for severance negotiations. You pay us nothing up front. We only get paid if we improve your offer.
Think about it. If your offer is $20,000 and a lawyer negotiates it up to $35,000, that’s a $15,000 gain. Even after legal fees, you walk away with significantly more. Plus, you keep rights you might have signed away.
At Severance Review Lawyer, we offer free consultations. We’ll review your severance agreement and honestly tell you if it’s worth fighting for more.
Don’t assume you can’t afford help. The conversation costs nothing.
What If I Already Signed My Severance Agreement?
You signed. Now you’re panicking. Can you undo it?
Maybe. It depends on timing and the terms.
Under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, workers over 40 must get at least 21 days to consider a severance agreement and seven days after signing to revoke it. If you’re still in that window, you can undo your signature. Act fast.
Even if the revocation period has passed, some agreements can still be challenged. California courts have invalidated severance deals that were:
- Signed under duress or extreme pressure
- Based on fraud or misrepresentation
- Unconscionable or permeated with unfairness
- In violation of public policy or labor law
If your employer included unlawful confidentiality clauses that violate the Silenced No More Act, parts of the agreement might not be enforceable.
A lawyer reviews what you signed and advises whether you have grounds to challenge it. Even if you can’t undo the whole agreement, you might be able to fight specific terms.
Don’t give up just because you already signed. Talk to a lawyer. You might have more options than you think.
Your Next Step—Don’t Face This Alone
Losing your job is hard enough. Don’t make it harder by signing away your rights.
You deserve clarity and fairness. And you deserve someone in your corner who knows how these agreements work.
A lawyer to negotiate severance doesn’t just review paperwork. They fight for you. They secure the pay, benefits, and protections you’ve earned.
At Severance Review Lawyer, we’ve helped hundreds of workers across California negotiate better deals. We know the tactics employers use. We know the law. And we know how to win.
Don’t sign out of fear. Don’t accept less than you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Let’s review your severance agreement together and make sure you’re protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I really need a lawyer to negotiate severance?
You don’t legally need one, but having a severance negotiation attorney dramatically improves your chances of getting a better deal.
Q: What if my employer says the offer is non-negotiable?
That’s a common pressure tactic. Almost everything is negotiable. A severance package negotiation lawyer knows how to push back and what terms companies will actually change.
Q: Should I hire a lawyer to negotiate my severance if I’m not an executive?
Yes. Every worker deserves legal review, regardless of job title or salary. You have rights and leverage. A lawyer helps you use them.
Q: Can a lawyer help if I’ve already signed?
Sometimes. If you’re within the seven-day revocation period for workers over 40, or if the agreement contains unlawful terms, you may have options. Contact a lawyer immediately.
Q: What if I can’t afford a lawyer?
Many severance negotiation attorneys, including us, work on contingency. Meaning you pay only if they improve your offer. Attorneys offer free consultations. Call and ask before assuming you can’t afford help.
Q: How long does the negotiation process take?
It varies. Some negotiations resolve in days; others take weeks or months. Your lawyer will give you a realistic timeline.
Q: What should I look for in the best legal help for severance disputes?
Look for attorneys with specific experience in California employment law and severance negotiations. Ask about their success rate, fee structure, and communication style.
Q: Do executives need a different kind of lawyer?
Executives benefit from an attorney who understands complex compensation structures like stock options and deferred comp.
Q: What happens if my employer threatens to pull the offer if I get a lawyer?
That’s an intimidation tactic and often an empty threat. Employers know that threatening to rescind offers because someone seeks legal advice can create legal problems for them. Call their bluff.
