Severance & Separation Agreement Review
California Severance & Separation Agreement Review Lawyer
Severance is not a gift. It is a contract.
If you are looking at a severance agreement and a deadline to sign, a short call is usually enough to understand what you are giving up — and whether the terms can be improved.
ShortLegal reviews California severance agreements on a flat fee, with fast turnaround and no surprises on cost.
ShortLegal, APC reviews and negotiates severance and separation agreements for California employees.
California Employment AttorneyState Bar No. 236140San Diego Office20+ Years Experience$50M+ Recovered for Employees
Flat-fee review • Fast turnaround • No surprises on cost
No obligation. Initial consultations are confidential and at no cost.
Not Sure What’s In Your Severance Agreement?
A short conversation is usually enough to tell you whether your agreement is worth a closer look, whether the deadline gives you enough time, and whether negotiation is realistic in your situation.
What You May Be Giving Up
- Release of legal claims
- Confidentiality
- Non-disparagement
- No-rehire language
- Arbitration provisions
- Final wage representations
- Benefit continuation
- Payment timing
- Cooperation obligations
- Tax language
- Attorneys’ fees clauses
Negotiation Issues
Potential negotiation issues include increased severance, continued benefits, neutral reference language, narrowing overbroad releases, limiting confidentiality obligations, removing no-rehire language, correcting wage and final pay representations, and preserving rights that should not be waived.
Frequently Asked Questions
A separation agreement is a contract your employer asks you to sign when your employment ends. You are never required to sign one. In exchange for severance pay or other benefits, you are typically asked to release legal claims, accept confidentiality terms, and agree to other obligations.
Under federal law, employees 40 or older must be given at least 21 days to consider a separation agreement and 7 days to revoke after signing. Employees under 40 have whatever time the employer provides, though California employers must give reasonable time. Do not let an employer pressure you to sign immediately.
Typically all claims arising from your employment — including unpaid wages, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination claims. This is why it is critical to have an attorney review the agreement before you sign.
Yes. Separation agreements are contracts and their terms are negotiable. An attorney can evaluate whether the severance offered is fair given the strength of your potential claims and negotiate on your behalf.
You keep all your legal rights. You may lose any severance pay the employer was offering, but you preserve the ability to pursue claims you may have. Whether to sign depends entirely on your specific situation and the strength of your potential claims.
Time Matters
California employment claims have strict filing deadlines — as short as six months for claims involving government employers. Once the deadline passes, even a strong claim cannot be recovered. If you believe your rights were violated, the time to act is now.
Free Consultation
Have a Severance Agreement to Review?
Tell us about your situation. Consultations are confidential and at no cost. ShortLegal will review your submission and reach out if it appears we may be able to help.
Or call (619) 272-0720. No obligation.