I wish I had a dime -- ok, a dollar -- for every time an executive client of our firm, confronting her involuntary termination (i.e., being fired without cause) has said to me, “when I took the job, the last thing I... Read More
“Cause” for Concern? — Executive Compensation and Severance
In negotiating any senior executive’s employment agreement, particular attention must be paid to the section which defines “Cause” for termination. This section sets forth the specific, agreed-on circumstances in which the employer has legitimate grounds for terminating the executive with “Cause.” A... Read More
College and University Presidents: Worth Every Penny
In response to the question George Birnbaum posed in his recent article, “Executive Compensation for College and University Presidents: Are They Really Overpaid?,” I would like to add my resounding no, and direct your attention to further support for our... Read More
Executive Compensation for College and University Presidents: Are They Really Overpaid?
The latest received wisdom in this country is that College and University Presidents are overpaid -- sometimes shamefully, even grotesquely overpaid. They are also supposed to get ridiculous “perks” like housing (What college campus doesn’t have a President’s house where he or... Read More
What’s the Deal with Arbitration Clauses?
Have you seen the latest headlines? Arbitration clauses are in the spotlight again: the good, the bad, and the arguably unconscionable. The New York Times ran a thought-provoking three-part series earlier this month highlighting the various ways in... Read More
Before You Sign on the Dotted Line: Five Mistakes College and University Presidents Make in Negotiating Their Contracts
Five Mistakes College and University Presidents Make in Negotiating Their Contracts
The skill set required for today’s top jobs in higher education has never been more extensive or demanding. Boards of Trustees are looking for leadership in several areas: academic authority, fundraising... Read More
Never Apologize
Rumpole of the Bailey’s credo was “Never Plead Guilty.”
Real-life lawyers can’t be as dogmatic as Rumpole, the fictional British barrister, but I do have a rule I preach to our executive employment clients, ranging from business CEOs to University Presidents, which... Read More