As a senior executive, your career comes with unique opportunities and challenges. From negotiating complex contracts to managing sensitive exit arrangements, the stakes are high, and the details matter. Our experienced team of employment lawyers is here to provide the bespoke support you need to protect your interests and secure the best outcomes.
Whether you are negotiating a new employment contract, dealing with a complex bonus or equity arrangements, or facing potential disputes, we are here to provide pragmatic and tailored support. Our team has extensive experience advising senior executives across a wide range of industries, helping you navigate issues such as restrictive covenants, confidentiality obligations, and performance-related agreements.
We also specialise in advising executives in regulated sectors, such as finance, healthcare, and professional services, where compliance and regulatory obligations bring additional complexity. From restrictive covenants to confidentiality agreements, we’ll help you understand and manage your legal responsibilities with confidence.
With a reputation for being approachable, responsive, and results-driven, we aim to build long-term relationships with our clients. Whatever the challenge, we provide guidance that is legally robust and commercially focused, empowering you to make informed decisions with confidence.
We work with everyone from C-suite level executives of FTSE 250 companies through to managers in SMEs; from senior partners in multinational partnerships through to junior members of LLPs.
Whatever your situation, you can rely on us to provide the support you need, with discretion, clarity, and expertise.
Specialising in senior executive services law
Contract negotiation and review
We provide expert guidance on employment contracts, ensuring terms such as remuneration, bonus structures, equity arrangements, and benefits align with your expectations. Our team identifies potential risks, explains the legal implications, and negotiates terms to safeguard your interests.
Bonus and incentive scheme advice
Understanding and negotiating complex bonus, share option, or incentive schemes can be challenging. We offer clear advice, ensuring these arrangements are transparent, fair, and in your best interests, while considering any tax or regulatory implications.
Exit strategies and settlement agreements
We help you deal with exit negotiations to protect your financial position, reputation, and future prospects. From negotiating settlement terms to addressing restrictive covenants, we ensure your departure is handled discreetly and strategically.
Restrictive covenants and post-termination advice
Our team advises on restrictive covenants, non-competition clauses, and confidentiality agreements, ensuring they are reasonable and enforceable. We also provide support if you face potential disputes arising from these obligations.
Dispute resolution and employment tribunals
Should disputes arise, we offer strategic advice and representation in cases such as unfair dismissal, discrimination, or contractual breaches. Our goal is to achieve swift, cost-effective resolutions, whether through negotiation, mediation, or tribunal proceedings.
Boardroom disputes and shareholder issues
We assist with resolving conflicts between board members or shareholders, offering practical solutions to protect your role, interests, and reputation within the company.
Whistleblowing protection and advice
If you need to report wrongdoing within your organisation, we guide you through the whistleblowing process. Our advice ensures you are protected under whistleblowing laws while safeguarding your career and reputation.
Restrictive covenants and post-termination advice
Our team advises on restrictive covenants, non-competition clauses, and confidentiality agreements, ensuring they are reasonable and enforceable. We also provide support if you face potential disputes arising from these obligations.
Why choose Shakespeare Martineau?
- Our team offer prompt and professional service, whether through in-person meetings or virtual consultations, you can trust that our advice will be timely and professional, helping you feel confident in your legal matters, every step of the way
- We provide advice that is not only pragmatic and quick but also easy to understand. Every lawyer in our firm is approachable, helpful, and committed to offering reliable legal solutions, making the process straightforward for clients
- Our clear and easily understandable approach has kept clients coming back for years, knowing they can depend on us for comprehensive legal support time and time again
- Our clients regularly highlight the exceptional expertise and professionalism of our lawyers. Our team cares deeply about every aspect of your case, ensuring you receive a thorough and attentive service
Bespoke legal support
We offer bespoke legal support to senior executives, ensuring that each strategy is customised to their unique career goals and challenges, empowering them to make informed decisions during pivotal transitions.
Managing high-stakes disputes
With extensive experience in managing high-stakes employment disputes, we protect executives’ reputations and secure the best outcomes, including in board-level conflicts, bonus disputes, and exit negotiations.
Discreet and professional
We understand the importance of reputation at the executive level and provide proactive, discreet guidance to resolve issues efficiently while safeguarding personal and professional standing.
Securing fair settlements
From severance terms to career transition planning, we ensure senior executives are well-supported through every aspect of their exit process, securing fair settlements and guiding them to successful new opportunities.
Meet our senior executive services team
David Browne
Partner & Head of Employment Law
Philip Pepper
Partner & Head of Commercial, IP & Employment
Jon Heuvel
Partner
Michael Hibbs
Consultant
Esther Maxwell
Partner
Tom Long
Partner
Matt McDonald
Partner
Rhys Wyborn
Partner
Nick Jones
Partner - Employment
Sandeep Leighs
Partner
Building a responsible business
Our commitment to sustainability and social impact
We are an accredited B Corporation that is committed to driving positive change in our communities, minimising our impact on the environment, and ensuring an all inclusive diverse and supportive culture for our people.
Wherever you are on your journey, our senior executive services specialists are here to answer any questions you might have
If you’d like to speak to a member of our team, please fill out the enquiry form. We will aim to reply to your query within 2 hours
Need to talk to someone sooner? You can call use at the number below
Call Us: 0330 024 0333
senior executive services FAQs
We provide comprehensive support for senior executives dealing with the complexities of exiting their roles. Our services include reviewing and negotiating settlement agreements to secure favourable terms, advising on restrictive covenants to protect your future opportunities, and managing disputes such as unfair dismissal or discrimination claims. We also offer strategic guidance on reputation management and ensure the exit process aligns with your professional goals.
We handle sensitive reputational issues with the utmost discretion and care. Our team provides tailored advice to protect your personal and professional standing, working proactively to address potential risks. Whether through private negotiations, media management strategies, or swift resolution of disputes, we focus on safeguarding your reputation while achieving your desired outcomes. Confidentiality and strategic insight are at the heart of our approach.
To optimise exit terms, we focus on securing a package that reflects your contributions, protects your future, and safeguards your reputation. Strategies include:
- Thorough contract review: Identifying entitlements like bonuses, share options, or notice periods.
- Negotiation: Leveraging your position to achieve favourable terms.
- Protective clauses: Ensuring confidentiality, non-disparagement, and non-compete agreements align with your goals.
- Tax-efficient structuring: Minimising tax liabilities.
Our approach combines legal expertise with strategic insight to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
We approach bonus and remuneration disputes by combining detailed contract analysis with strategic negotiation to protect your rights and maximise your financial outcomes. Our process includes:
- Reviewing contracts and policies: Identifying legal entitlements, including unpaid bonuses, incentives, or commission structures.
- Evaluating performance criteria: Ensuring any targets or conditions for payment are fair and properly applied.
- Negotiation or dispute resolution: Engaging with employers to secure a favourable resolution or escalating to litigation if necessary.
Key considerations for LLP member exits include reviewing the LLP agreement to understand terms related to resignation, retirement, or expulsion, including notice periods, restrictions, and financial entitlements. It’s essential to assess the valuation of the departing member’s capital, profit shares, and other benefits, while also addressing restrictive covenants, tax implications, and reputational concerns. We support members through each step, ensuring a smooth and fair transition that protects their rights and interests.
When acting for you in a board-level dispute, we focus on protecting your professional interests and ensuring fair treatment. We begin by thoroughly understanding the terms of your employment or director’s agreement, as well as the specific nature of the dispute. We then work with clients to assess their options, including negotiation, mediation, or litigation, depending on the circumstances.
Our approach prioritises confidentiality, clear communication, and a strategy designed to achieve the best possible outcome. Whether the issue involves breaches of contract, governance disagreements, or disputes over decision-making authority, we strive to resolve the matter efficiently and effectively, while safeguarding your reputation and career prospects. If necessary, we can represent you in any legal proceedings or negotiations, ensuring tyour voice is heard and interests protected.
Settlement agreements can provide key protections for executives, including financial compensation, confidentiality clauses, and non-disparagement provisions to safeguard reputation. They may also address future employment rights, pension and benefits, tax considerations, and references. Careful negotiation ensures interests are secured while facilitating a smooth and amicable exit from the organisation.
We help with career transition planning by providing tailored advice and support to senior executives facing a job change or exit. This includes assessing their skills, experience, and aspirations to identify new opportunities, offering guidance on personal branding, networking, and job search strategies, and negotiating new employment terms. Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition and help executives take the next step in their career with confidence.
