EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT LAW ARTICLES PUBLISHED BY ROBERT ADELSON

Attorney Robert Adelson is a frequent writer and speaker of legal issues regarding executive employment, startups, consultants and family businesses. Below are the articles he has published during his 20+ year career.

Articles on Executive Employment

  1. How Startup Founder CEOs Can Protect Their Interests When Stepping Down to Executive Roles – IvyExec on July 1, 2026. Also on this website How Startup Founder CEOs Can Protect Their Interests When Stepping Down to Executive Roles
  2. Increased Tax Savings Under the “New” Section 1202 on Sale of Your Pre-IPO Stock – CEO World on May 27, 2026. Also on this website Increased Tax Savings Under the “New” Section 1202 on Sale of Your Pre-IPO Stock
  3. Negotiating Your Corporate Relocation Package – A Guide for Senior Executives – IvyExec on March 30, 2026. Also on this website Negotiating Your Corporate Relocation Package – A Guide for Senior Executives
  4. Considering a Chief Transformation Officer or Chief Innovation Officer Role? Read This Before You Sign – CEO World on March 6, 2026. Also on this website Considering a Chief Transformation Officer or Chief Innovation Officer Role? Read This Before You Sign
  5. Serving on a Board of Directors: Legal and Career Considerations for Executives – IvyExec on February 6, 2026. Also on this website Serving on a Board of Directors: Legal and Career Considerations for Executives
  6. Protecting Your Executive Compensation from Unfair Dealing by Your Employer – IvyExec on January 5, 2026. Also on this website Protecting Your Executive Compensation from Unfair Dealing by Your Employer
  7. How to Protect Your Executive Equity as Your Company Goes Public – IvyExec on October 21, 2025. Also on this website How to Protect Your Executive Equity as Your Company Goes Public
  8. Revesting of Equity and Other Founder Executive Concerns When Your Company Is Acquired – CEO World on September 28, 2025. Also on this website Revesting of Equity and Other Founder Executive Concerns When Your Company Is Acquired
  9. Negotiating Terms of Chief Legal Officer Employment Agreement – CEO World on August 28, 2025. Also on this website Negotiating Terms of Chief Legal Officer Employment Agreement
  10. What Every C-Level Executive Should Know About Non-Competes – IvyExec on July 23, 2025.  Also on this website What Every C-Level Executive Should Know About Non-Competes
  11. What Can You, as CEO, Gain from Hiring the Right Executive Employment Lawyer? – CEO World on June 25, 2025. Also on this website What Can You, as CEO, Gain from Hiring the Right Executive Employment Lawyer?
  12. Executive Bait & Switch: How To Fight Back with the Unjust Enrichment Claim – CEO World on May 1, 2025. Also on this website at Executive Bait & Switch: How To Fight Back with the Unjust Enrichment Claim
  13. Using QSBS for Huge Executive Tax Savings: To Sell Your Startup Shares Tax-Free – IvyExec on March 21, 2025. Also on this website at Using QSBS for Huge Executive Tax Savings: To Sell Your Startup Shares Tax-Free
  14. Frequently Asked Questions About CEO Compensation, Equity Package and Negotiations – CEO World on February 28, 2025. Also on this website Frequently Asked Questions About CEO Compensation, Equity Package and Negotiations
  15. Leveraging Your Achievements to Secure a Better Executive Employment Contract – IvyExec on January 27, 2025. Also on this website Leveraging Your Achievements to Secure a Better Executive Employment Contract
  16. Negotiating Your Executive Bonus Structure to Maximize Your Compensation  – IvyExec on December 27, 2024. Also on this website Negotiating Your Executive Bonus Structure to Maximize Your Compensation
  17. Negotiating Your Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Growth Officer or Chief Transformation Officer Contract – CEO World on October 22, 2024. Also on this website Negotiating Your Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Growth Officer or Chief Transformation Officer Contract
  18. Executive Contract Negotiations for Life Sciences Executives – IvyExec on October 9, 2024. Also on this website Executive Contract Negotiations for Life Sciences Executives
  19. Keeping and Using Your Ace in the Hole in Negotiating Your C-level Executive Contract – CEO World on September 7, 2024. Also on this website Keeping and Using Your Ace in the Hole in Negotiating Your C-level Executive Contract
  20. CFO Employment Agreement: Negotiating Your Compensation Package and Other Key Terms – IvyExec on July 29, 2024. Also on this website CFO Employment Agreement: Negotiating Your Compensation Package and Other Key Terms
  21. COO Contract and Compensation Package – Terms and Negotiations – IvyExec on July 1, 2024. Also on this website COO Contract and Compensation Package – Terms and Negotiations
  22. Impact of Titles on Your Executive Career – Negotiating Job Titles and more! – CEO World on May 23, 2024. Also on this website Impact of Titles on Your Executive Career – Negotiating Job Titles and more!
  23. Fighting the Double Trigger as Free Labor vs Slavery II: Negotiating with a Public Company Change of Control Acceleration Terms – CEO World on April 30, 2024. Also on this website Fighting the Double Trigger as Free Labor vs Slavery II: Negotiating with a Public Company Change of Control Acceleration Terms
  24. Interim CEO Contract and Compensation: Advice for Executives Considering Transitional C-level Roles – IvyExec on March 27, 2024. Also on this website Interim CEO Contract and Compensation: Advice for Executives Considering Transitional C-level Roles
  25. 4 Reasons to Seek Executive Employment Advice Even Before You Receive a CEO Job Offer – CEO World on February 21, 2024. Also on this website 4 Reasons to Seek Executive Employment Advice Even Before You Receive a CEO Job Offer
  26. Can Executives Get Severance Pay When They Resign? – IvyExec on January 19, 2024. Also on this website Can Executives Get Severance Pay When They Resign?
  27. Starting an Executive Consulting Business During Your Transition – IvyExec on December 21, 2023. Also on this website Starting an Executive Consulting Business During Your Transition
  28. Key Terms to Negotiate in Your Next Executive Job Offer – IvyExec on October 25, 2023. Also on this website Key Terms to Negotiate in Your Next Executive Job Offer
  29. Fighting the Double Trigger as Free Labor vs Slavery: How to Negotiate Your Own Change of Control Acceleration Terms – CEOWorld on September 16, 2023. Also on this website Fighting the Double Trigger as Free Labor vs Slavery: How to Negotiate Your Own Change of Control Acceleration Terms
  30. Becoming a Remote C-Suite Executive – Opportunities & Employment Terms to Negotiate For – IvyExec on July 27, 2023. Also on this website Becoming a Remote C-Suite Executive – Opportunities & Employment Terms to Negotiate For
  31. Essential Employment Terms for Female Executives – IvyExec on June 26, 2023. Also on this website Essential Employment Terms for Female Executives
  32. IP Ownership as Leverage for Founder Equity Negotiations – CEOWorld on May 28, 2023. Also on this website IP Ownership as Leverage for Founder Equity Negotiations
  33. Navigating Past Clawbacks to Take a Competitor’s C-level Job Offer– CEOWorld on April 30, 2023. Also on this website Navigating Past Clawbacks to Take a Competitor’s C-level Job Offer
  34. Startup C-Level Executive Salary, Equity and Severance Compensation Package – Ivy Exec on March 28, 2023. Also on this website Startup C-Level Executive Salary, Equity and Severance Compensation Package
  35. Forming a competing company to take 100% ownership of the business you built – CEOWorld on February 19, 2023. Also on this website Forming a competing company to take 100% ownership of the business you built
  36. CTO and CIO Employment Contract Terms to Negotiate For – Ivy Exec on February 7, 2023. Also on this website CTO and CIO Employment Contract Terms to Negotiate For
  37. Severance Compensation Package for Director, VP, and C-Level Executives – Ivy Exec on January 4, 2023. Also on this website Severance Compensation Package for Director, VP, and C-Level Executives
  38. How to Manage Multiple C-Level Executive Job Offers – CEOWorld on November 4, 2022. Also on this website How to Manage Multiple C-Level Executive Job Offers
  39. Executive Retention Packages – Terms and Negotiations – Ivy Exec on October 7, 2022. Also on this website Executive Retention Packages – Terms and Negotiations
  40. Stock Rights That Protect the Value of Your Executive Equity Compensation – CEOWorld Magazine, September 1, 2022. Also on this website Stock Rights That Protect the Value of Your Executive Equity Compensation
  41. Executive Sign on Bonus, Retention Bonus and Other Bonuses – Terms and Negotiations – Ivy Exec, August 4, 2022. Also on this website Executive Sign on Bonus, Retention Bonus and Other Bonuses – Terms and Negotiations
  42. Executive Termination: If You’ve Been Fired or Face That, Do You Have a Claim for Wrongful Termination? – Ivy Exec, May 27, 2022. Also on this website Executive Termination: If You’ve Been Fired or Face That, Do You Have a Claim for Wrongful Termination?
  43. Negotiating Favorable Executive Equity Terms in an LLC – Capital vs. Profit Interests – CEO World Magazine, April 20, 2022. Also on this website Negotiating Favorable Executive Equity Terms in an LLC – Capital vs. Profit Interests
  44. Merits of RSUs vs Stock Options and Other Forms of Executive Equity Compensation – Ivy Exec, March 30, 2022. Also on this website Merits of RSUs vs Stock Options and Other Forms of Executive Equity Compensation
  45. Executive Relocation Risks, Mitigation Strategies and Terms to Seek in Your Relocation Package – CEO World Magazine, February 20, 2022. Also on this website Executive Relocation Risks, Mitigation Strategies and Terms to Seek in Your Relocation Package
  46. Are You Getting the C-Suite Executive Salary You Deserve? – Ivy  Exec, January 26, 2022. Also on this website Are You Getting the C-Suite Executive Salary You Deserve?
  47. A Change of Control Agreement Saves the Day When Your Company Is In Play – Ivy Exec, December 16, 2021. Also on this website A Change of Control Agreement Saves the Day When Your Company Is In Play
  48. CMO Employment Contract Tips to Protect You and Your Job – Ivy Exec, September 30, 2021. Also on this website CMO Employment Contract Tips to Protect You and Your Job
  49. Duty of “Good Faith and Fair Dealing” Ensures Your Executive Compensation is not Taken Away from You – CEO World Magazine, September 2, 2021. Also on this website Duty of “Good Faith and Fair Dealing” Ensures Your Executive Compensation is not Taken Away from You.
  50. Phantom Stock as Executive Compensation for Family Businesses – Ivy Exec, September 1, 2021. Also on this website Phantom Stock as Executive Compensation for Family Businesses
  51. Executive Stock Options, Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units – What’s Best for You  – Ivy Exec, August 3, 2021. Also on this website Executive Stock Options, Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units – What’s Best for You
  52. Executive Contract Terms to Negotiate with Your Prospective Employer – Ivy Exec, June 22, 2021. Also on this website Executive Contract Terms to Negotiate with Your Prospective Employer.
  53. Using Career Advancement Covenants to Safeguard Non-Financial Executive Pay – CEO World Magazine, May 26, 2021. Also on this website Using Career Advancement Covenants to Safeguard Non-Financial Executive Pay
  54. Don’t Let Disparagement or Defamation Blackball Your Executive Career Prospects – CEO World Magazine, April 27, 2021. Also on this website Don’t Let Disparagement or Defamation Blackball Your Executive Career Prospects
  55. Don’t Let Misalignment in Executive Compensation Create Your Own “Black Sox Scandal” – CEO World Magazine, March 31, 2021. Also on this website Don’t Let Misalignment in Executive Compensation Create Your Own “Black Sox Scandal”
  56. Negotiating a Custom CEO or C-level Executive Compensation Package – CEO World Magazine, November, 2020. Also on this website Negotiating a Custom CEO or C-level Executive Compensation Package
  57. Working Remotely as a C-level Executive – Opportunities and Considerations – CEO World Magazine, October, 2020. Also on this website Working Remotely as a C-level Executive – Opportunities and Considerations
  58. Achieving Zero Taxation on Sale of Your Startup Equity – CEO World Magazine, September, 2020. Also on this website Achieving Zero Taxation on Sale of Your Startup Equity
  59. Triggering Executive Severance to Protect Your Interests in Case of COVID-19 or other Changed Circumstances – CEO World Magazine, May, 2020. Also on this website Triggering Executive Severance to Protect Your Interests in Case of COVID-19 or other Changed Circumstances
  60. Has a New Employer Withdrawn Your Executive Job Offer? How “Promissory Estoppel” might give you a legal remedy – CEO World Magazine, April, 2020. Also on this website Has a New Employer Withdrawn Your Executive Job Offer? How “Promissory Estoppel” might give you a legal remedy
  61. Executive Employment Agreement – An Overview for the Newly-Minted CEO or C-Suite Executive – CEO World Magazine, March, 2020. Also on this website Executive Employment Agreement – An Overview for the Newly-Minted CEO or C-Suite Executive
  62. Executive Compensation In A Pre-IPO Company – CEO World Magazine, October, 2019. Also on this website Executive Compensation In A Pre-IPO Company
  63. CFO Employment Contract: Terms And Negotiations – CEO World Magazine, September, 2019. Also on this website CFO Employment Contract: Terms And Negotiations
  64. Negotiating Your COO Employment Agreement – CEO World Magazine, May, 2019. Also on this website Negotiating Your COO Employment Agreement
  65. Negotiating Executive Retention Agreement Terms to Protect Your Interests – CEO World Magazine, April, 2019. Also on this website Negotiating Executive Retention Agreement Terms to Protect Your Interests
  66. From Founder-CEO to CTO or CSO: Key Protections in Succession Planning When You Face the Founder’s Dilemma – CEO World Magazine, March, 2019. Also on this website From Founder-CEO to CTO or CSO: Key Protections in Succession Planning When You Face the Founder’s Dilemma
  67. Executive Service on Corporate Boards of Directors – Benefits, Liabilities and Compensation – CEO World Magazine, February, 2019. Also on this website Executive Service on Corporate Boards of Directors – Benefits, Liabilities and Compensation
  68. Negotiating Your New CSO or CTO Employment Agreement – CEO World Magazine, January, 2019. Also on this website Negotiating Your New CSO or CTO Employment Agreement
  69. Essential Employment Contract Terms for Medical Device and Biotechnology Executives – CEO World Magazine, December, 2018. Also on this website Essential Employment Contract Terms for Medical Device and Biotechnology Executives
  70. Negotiating the Right Executive Compensation Package for Yourself – CEO World Magazine, October, 2018. Also on this website Negotiating the Right Executive Compensation Package for Yourself
  71. An Executive Severance Agreement Protects Your Employment, Career and Reputation – CEO World Magazine, September, 2018. Also on this website An Executive Severance Agreement Protects Your Employment, Career and Reputation
  72. New Massachusetts Law Restricts Non-Compete Agreements – IEEE Reflector, September, 2018. Also on this website New Massachusetts Law Restricts Non-Compete Agreements
  73. Structuring Bonuses in Your CEO Compensation for Maximum Benefit – CEO World Magazine, May, 2018. Also on this website Structuring Bonuses in Your CEO Compensation for Maximum Benefit.
  74. Becoming CEO of a Startup – Key Employment Contract, Equity Terms and Other Considerations – CEO World Magazine, April, 2018. Also on this website Becoming CEO of a Startup – Key Employment Contract, Equity Terms and Other Considerations.
  75. Consulting Between CEO Positions – CEO World Magazine, March, 2018. Also on this website Consulting Between CEO Positions
  76. How to Renegotiate Your CEO Employment Contract When You Have Achieved Success – CEO World Magazine, February, 2018. Also on this website How to Renegotiate Your CEO Employment Contract When You Have Achieved Success
  77. Interim CEO and Turnaround CEO Employment Agreements: Terms and Compensation – CEO World Magazine, October, 2017. Also on this website Interim CEO and Turnaround CEO Employment Agreements: Terms and Compensation
  78. Getting the Benefits of Equity Compensation from Family Business through Phantom Stock – CEO World Magazine, September, 2017. Also on this website Getting the Benefits of Equity Compensation from Family Business through Phantom Stock
  79. Pitfalls of and Techniques to Surmount Non-Compete Agreements for Executives – CEO World Magazine, August, 2017. Also on this website Pitfalls of and Techniques to Surmount Non-Compete Agreements for Executives
  80. Restricted Stock And Other Equity Options For Your Executive Compensation Package – CEO World Magazine, July, 2017. Also on this website Restricted Stock And Other Equity Options For Your Executive Compensation Package
  81. Getting Executive Severance Compensation When You Choose to Quit – CEO World Magazine, May, 2017. Also on this website Getting Executive Severance Compensation When You Choose to Quit
  82. Executive Employment Contracts for Women CEOs – Terms and Negotiations –  CEO World Magazine, April, 2017.  Also on this website Executive Employment Contracts for Women CEOs
  83. Negotiating Key Terms on Your Next Executive Job Offer – CEO World Magazine, March, 2017. Also on this website Negotiating Key Terms on Your Next Executive Job Offer.
  84. The Advantage of RSUs in Your CEO Compensation Package – CEO World Magazine, February, 2017. Also on this website The Advantage of RSUs in Your CEO Compensation Package
  85. Executive Employment Termination: What Constitutes Wrongful Termination – CEO World Magazine, January, 2017. Also on this website Executive Employment Termination: What Constitutes Wrongful Termination
  86. Change of control agreements – a quick guide for CEOs, CFOs, and other senior executives – CEO World Magazine, March 2016. Also on this website Change of control agreements – a quick guide for CEOs, CFOs, and other senior executives.
  87. Benefits and Pitfalls to Executive Service on Corporate Boards of Directors – CEOMagazine.com, April, 2015.
  88. Recent Massachusetts Cases Reveal Breadth of Non-compete Law (Non-Compete Enforcement) – executiveemploymentattorney.com, July 2012.
  89. Let’s Make a Deal (Renegotiation of employment agreements) – AlwaysOn, April, 2008.
  90. Using terms of employment as executive recruiting tools – Boston Business Journal, May, 1998.
  91. Now’s the time to review severance codes – Boston Business Journal, June, 2001.
  92. Negotiate, Have a Lawyer Check Out Job Contract – quoted in Boston Globe, December 26, 1999.
  93. Negotiating the Terms of Executive Employment – Getting What You Deserve (Negotiating Job Offers) – The Culpepper Letter, September, 1997.
  94. Deal or No Deal (Executive Employment Negotiations) – AlwaysOn, April, 2008.
  95. Negotiating Raises and Better Employment Terms – executiveemploymentattorney.com, 2013.
  96. Using the Terms of Employment to Recruit Top Talent to Your Company – Boston Business Journal, 1997.
  97. Negotiating Terms of Biotechnology Executive Employment – 1998 GEN Guide to Biotechnology Companies.
  98. How to Pay More for Biotech Talent and Still Save Your Company Money (Restricted Stock and RSUs) – Genetic Engineering News, April, 1999.
  99. Sometimes cash not best payment – quoted in Boston Herald, January, 1997.
  100. Employment Termination and Severance Negotiations – Blitztime, September, 2009.

 

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