If you are considering signing an employment agreement or a modification to one, it is smart to have it reviewed before you sign. The New York City employment agreement attorneys at Risman & Risman, P.C. review and negotiate employment contracts, explain your rights and risks, and help you secure fair terms. We offer a free phone consultation to see how we can help.
Employment agreements can affect your pay, mobility, and future options. Oral promises about compensation or benefits are usually not enforceable unless they appear in the written contract. Many agreements also include non-compete or non-solicitation clauses, confidentiality and invention assignment, arbitration and class-action waivers, commission plan terms, and choice-of-law and forum provisions. We identify hidden risks, correct one-sided terms, and negotiate improvements so your contract matches what you were promised.
Note: New York requires special handling for some provisions, such as arbitration of sexual harassment or sexual assault claims, which employees may bring to court despite an arbitration clause.
Your agreement must comply with New York and federal law and align with company policy. We review and negotiate:
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Offer letters and at-will disclaimers
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Compensation structures, bonus and commission plans (New York requires written commission agreements for commissioned salespeople, with specific terms and monthly pay frequency)
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Non-compete and non-solicitation provisions (New York has no statewide ban as of September 2025; enforceability remains a reasonableness test. The FTC’s national rule was vacated, and the FTC has dismissed its appeal)
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Confidentiality and invention-assignment clauses
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Arbitration and class/collective action waivers (employees may opt out of arbitration for sexual harassment or assault claims under federal law)
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Independent-contractor (freelance) agreements that must be in writing at certain dollar thresholds under New York’s statewide Freelance Isn’t Free Act (effective 2024)
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Ownership/partnership and executive compensation agreements
Contact a Seasoned and Qualified Employment Agreement Attorney
Before you sign any employment agreement or modification, make sure the terms protect you. The New York City employment agreement attorneys at Risman & Risman, P.C. will review, explain, and negotiate your contract. Call us at (212) 233-6400 or contact us online.
