Senior Executive Settlement Agreement Solicitor

Expert in C-Suite and senior executive exit negotiations

If you are a senior executive looking for advice and guidance with the signing off or the negotiation of an employment settlement agreement, David Greenhalgh is top-ranked and listed as a Leading Individual specifically for his work with board-level professionals in the latest Legal 500 2024 edition, the main independent guide to the best employment lawyers in the UK.

David provides tailored advice for c-suite and senior executives on the entire settlement agreement process. This includes:

• legally required advice in signing off terms;
• bespoke advice on negotiating better terms.

With over 30 years’ experience of advising executive management on their exits and settlement agreements David understands the complex and high-value elements which are often involved.

Contact David Greenhalgh

Weighing up whether to take the offer or to negotiate and if so what changes to seek is complex. David can advise you and help you get the best possible exit terms.

Negotiating the best exit package

David provides expertise on all aspects of settlement agreements including:

• increasing ex-gratia/tax-free payment
• increasing pay in lieu of notice to include benefits and employer pension contributions
• bonus payments (pro-rata basis or in full, this year and next year)
• Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs)
• Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
• share Options
• leaver status, pro-rating or accelerated vesting
• agreed internal and/or external leaving statements
• removal/reduction/variation of post-termination restrictive covenants
• restrictions on your employer disclosing the terms or existence of the agreement
• restrictions to protect your reputation
• retaining company property (e.g. mobile, phone number, company car, laptop etc.)
• extension of medical cover
• agreed reference
• outplacement support

Understanding the exit process

Settlement agreements, previously known as compromise agreements, are a legal agreement between you and your employer setting out your terms of exit. There are specific legal protections which may apply to discussions between you and your employer around agreeing exit terms (protected conversations and without prejudice discussions).

The first draft of the settlement agreement is prepared by the employer and given to the employee usually after a protected conversation/without prejudice discussion involving HR.

Independent Legal Advice

The only way for your settlement agreement to be legally binding is for you to be advised on its terms and effect by an independent employment lawyer. Because you are waiving your employment law rights when signing a settlement agreement, it follows you should take strong and fully independent legal advice to ensure you get the best possible outcome. David can often negotiate for all legal fees to be paid for by the employer.

Is the amount on offer fair? Is there room for negotiation?

If the terms on offer do not reflect the value of your potential claims, the risk to the reputation of your employer or what you know has been paid to others at your level on exit, David will negotiate to secure you enhanced terms.

David uses his litigation background and his tactical expertise to negotiate high-value settlement terms.

Do you have a potential employment law claim?

Once you understand the value of any potential claims you may have, David can help you in weighing this against the value of what is on offer in the draft settlement agreement given to you by your employer.

More Settlement Agreement Resources

Read more on How To Negotiate The Best Package Under An Employment Settlement Agreement. This guide offers David’s Top Tips on negotiating the best terms for your settlement agreement or take a look at Settlement Agreements Frequently Asked Questions.