From Negotiations to Litigation

Even under the best of circumstances, employment relationships must be carefully negotiated and structured to protect the interests of employers and employees. Clients depend on Arkin Kaplan Rice attorneys’ sophistication and expertise to handle delicate bargaining on clients’ behalf and, if necessary, to vigorously protect clients’ interests in litigation. We have helped top-level executives negotiate employment agreements, and have helped to settle severance terms for departing senior executives in all walks of commerce, from the securities and banking industries to professional sports.

When negotiations fail, we approach employment litigation with the same determination we display in other areas of our practice. We have litigated or arbitrated substantial claims on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants. For example, we have represented: a highly successful arbitrageur in bringing contract and race discrimination claims against his former employer; the former chairman of a major brokerage house in contractual disputes arising out of his departure; and the former chairmen of major advertising firms in connection with protecting their interests upon departure. On the defense side, we have successfully represented: a preeminent Wall Street investment banking concern against a discrimination case brought by a former employee who claimed she had been passed over for partnership because of her sex; a large corporate holding company against a wrongful termination suit brought by one of its most senior executives; and a major manufacturing concern against a wrongful termination and discrimination suit brought by a former senior manager. We have, as well, represented both plaintiffs and defendants in defamation cases arising within employment contexts.