About

About Severance Lawyers

Severance Lawyers is a law firm focused on employment severance agreements. Our lawyers review and negotiate employment packages in all 50 U.S. states and Washington D.C. We are available 24 hours a day to take requests for severance reviews for any industry and position.

Our Lawyers

Since the start of Severance Lawyers, our attorneys have reviewed and negotiated severance agreements for over a thousand clients. We have received several awards and accolades from our peers and been recognized as some of the best employment lawyers.

Our Awards and Recognitions

  • Super Lawyers List for Employment Law
  • Super Lawyers Rising Stars for Employment Law
  • Corporate International Magazine’s Employment Law Firm of the Year, 2010 and 2012
  • AI Business Team Excellence Award for the 2015 Employment Attorney of the Year in New Jersey
  • Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers

Our Focus

We believe in protecting your employment rights and ensuring your severance package includes your best interests. Our experience and skill will allow you to understand your severance agreement completely and give you the peace of mind that you are receiving everything that you can in severance. Severance Lawyers know that going before your company can be intimidating, so if you need, we are here to help negotiate on your behalf and stand as a go- between you and your former employer.

Choose Your State

We provide severance legal counsel for employees across the country.

Contact Us Today

We’re Ready to Help

Do you have any additional questions? Get in touch with our team of severance lawyers today to learn more and get started with your severance review.

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FAQs

Common Answers To Your Questions
  • How long do I have to sign the severance documents?

    When companies terminate employees and provide a severance package, the goal of the severance is to benefit both the company and the employee. Therefore, the employee has time to review the agreement. Review timelines depend on employee age and the number of people terminated simultaneously.

    • Employees under the age of 40 – No set time frame, but it must be reasonable and ample enough to review and understand the components.
    • Employees over the age of 40 – 21 days to review and sign and 7 days to reconsider and revoke your signature.
    • Multiple terminations at once – 45 days to review and sign and 7 days to reconsider and revoke your signature.
  • How is severance pay calculated?

    Several factors go into severance pay amounts. Employees in higher management positions may receive additional benefits like longer pay terms, office equipment, or medical benefits.

    Typical payouts can last up to 26 weeks and go by the following calculations:

    • Hourly Employees: Number of years with company X 1 week of regular pay = Severance Pay $ Total
    • Salaried Employees: Number of years with company X 2 weeks of regular pay = Severance Pay $ Total
  • Am I entitled to severance pay?

    No, most companies provide a severance agreement when they lay off or fire an employee. Offering a severance package is entirely optional for the company. Most companies only do it to protect themselves from future lawsuits, the employee going to a competitor company, or adverse claims from the employee. The company takes multiple factors into account when preparing the packages.

Award-Winning Attorneys


  • 2017/2018 Legal Award - Corporate LiveWire
  • Corporate INTL - 2018
  • SuperLawyers Rising Stars
  • AI 2018 Legal Awards

Our Satisfied Clients

Read What They Say About Us
  • "Would recommend Paul to anyone."

    This law firm helped me achieve the results that I needed. Would recommend Paul to anyone that feels as though they have been wronged and need legal guidance and assistance.

    - Al W.
  • "They gave my case all the time and attention that was needed to be successful."

    My experience with Severance Lawyers was excellent. They gave my case all the time and attention that was needed to be successful. They were a calming and confident presence during a difficult and uncertain time for me. Their guidance was outstanding at all times, prompt, professional,  timely and open for calls and quick updates. They invested the time to work through all of my questions and issues. I can’t thank them enough and would hire them again.

    - Wendy G.
  • "From start to finish Tom was there to help me out every step of the way with our case."

    Tom and his staff understand the law very well. They are quick to return calls, take the initiative, and explain things in a way I can understand. From start to finish Tom was there to help me out every step of the way with our case. I am glad to have Tom and his team on my side. I simply cannot thank them enough!

    - Michelle M.
  • "Helped turn my lemons into lemonade."

    I found myself in a challenging & stressful situation that required legal representation and their attorney Paul Castronovo handled it beyond my expectations.  Paul is incredibly experienced/knowledgeable and I just felt like I was in good hands the entire time.  Paul has a calming demeanor too–which is helpful in these stressful situations. Paul helped turn my lemons into lemonade.

    - Tucker W.
  • "His confidence shined through instilling the confidence in me and peace of mind having him by my side."

    Tom McKinney’s prompt attention, articulate and comprehensive advice addressed my Employment Agreement related issue. His confidence shined through instilling the confidence in me and peace of mind having him by my side. If you’re dealing with the proverbial ‘blood sucking’ company, look no further than Tom’s voice of reason.

    - Sweta M.
  • "He was professional and knowledgeable in employment law."

    Going to Tom and his team for my case was the best decision I made. He was professional and knowledgeable in employment law. He helped me reach a resolution and I could not recommend him enough for anyone else out there.

    - Austin S.
  • "I have referred him to friends in NJ and NY."

    Tom McKinney is one of the best attorneys that I know…whether to negotiate on your behalf or reviewing your agreement to make sure you are getting maximum value for your compensation. From stock options to deferred compensation.  I have referred him to friends in NJ and NY.

    - Sean C.
  • "Tom was prudent in having me use his services and I did not overpay when not needed."

    I had Tom review my severance agreement. He provided a lot of valuable insight. I was able to go back to my employer with various points and double my package. Tom was prudent in having me use his services (told me to go back to my employer before fully engaging him) and I did not overpay when not needed.   Other lawyers could have easily taken advantage of my situation and over-lawyered the situation.

    - Joe K.