Executive Employment Law
Executive Compensation Disputes Attorney
Your total compensation package — stock options, RSUs, deferred compensation, bonuses, and equity — represents years of earned value. When your employer disputes, withholds, or attempts to claw back the compensation you've earned, Attorney Jehad Ali fights to protect what is rightfully yours.
Types of Compensation Disputes
Stock Options & RSUs
Disputes over vesting schedules, exercise periods, early termination forfeiture, and acceleration upon change of control.
Deferred Compensation
Non-qualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan disputes, including 409A compliance issues and distribution triggers.
Bonus & Incentive Pay
Withheld annual bonuses, discretionary incentive disputes, and performance-based compensation disagreements.
Change-of-Control Provisions
Golden parachute disputes, acceleration clauses, and compensation protection during mergers and acquisitions.
Non-Compete Buyouts
Negotiating the value of non-compete release, including competing offers and restrictive covenant analysis.
ERISA & Benefits Disputes
Pension disputes, long-term disability claims, and fiduciary duty violations under ERISA-governed plans.
Our Approach
Executive compensation disputes require a comprehensive understanding of employment contracts, equity agreements, tax implications (including IRC § 409A and § 280G), and the specific industry context. We take a strategic approach:
Agreement Review
Comprehensive analysis of your employment agreement, equity plans, and compensation structures.
Valuation
Calculation of the full value of disputed compensation, including future vesting and tax implications.
Resolution
Negotiation or litigation to recover the compensation you've earned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as an executive compensation dispute?
Executive compensation disputes involve disagreements over stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), deferred compensation, bonuses, severance pay, change-of-control provisions, equity acceleration, and other components of executive pay packages.
Can my employer claw back my bonus?
It depends on the terms of your compensation agreement and applicable law. Some agreements include clawback provisions triggered by termination, restatement of financial results, or breach of non-compete clauses. We review whether the clawback is enforceable.
What happens to my stock options if I'm terminated?
Typically, unvested stock options are forfeited upon termination. However, the terms of your equity agreement, the circumstances of your termination, and applicable state law may provide arguments for acceleration or extended exercise periods.
Do you handle ERISA disputes?
Yes. We represent executives in disputes involving ERISA-governed benefit plans, including pension disputes, long-term disability claims, and employer violations of fiduciary duties.
Related Practice Areas
Protect the Compensation You've Earned
Schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your compensation dispute.
(571) 550-9008