Employment and Executive Compensation: Hiring and Retaining the Right Way

Congruence Law, P.C. Helps Businesses Structure Employment Relationships That Are Legal, Strategic, and Fair

Employees and executives are a company’s greatest asset — and often its greatest legal risk. Whether you’re making your first hire or structuring a stock option plan for a key executive, clear legal agreements protect your company, your culture, and your bottom line.

At Congruence Law, P.C., we help employers draft, review, and negotiate employment and compensation arrangements that meet business goals while staying compliant with ever-changing labor laws.

What’s at Stake in Employment Contracts?

Poorly structured employment arrangements can lead to:

• Wage and hour violations

• Unenforceable non-competes

• Disputes over equity or bonus compensation

• Wrongful termination claims

• Misclassified contractors

• Inadvertent breaches of confidentiality or IP theft

We help you get the terms right from the outset — not when it’s too late.

What We Do at Congruence Law, P.C.

We support employers and executives across the full employment lifecycle:

• Drafting employment and offer letters for staff and C-suite executives

• Creating bonus, incentive, and severance arrangements

• Designing stock option plans, equity grants, and 409A-compliant compensation

• Advising on FLSA classification and independent contractor compliance

• Preparing NDAs, non-solicitation, and non-compete agreements

• Negotiating exit packages and separation agreements

• Ensuring compliance with federal and state wage laws, WARN Act, and benefits regulations

We also work closely with HR and finance teams to align legal agreements with company culture and operations.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Promising equity or bonuses without a written plan or vesting schedule

• Misclassifying full-time staff as independent contractors

• Using non-competes that violate state law (e.g., California or DC restrictions)

• Failing to secure IP assignments from employees or contractors

• Overlooking state-specific notice, wage, or leave requirements

• Neglecting to update contracts during funding, mergers, or leadership changes

Employment issues are rarely just “HR problems” — they’re legal liabilities. Prevention is powerful.

Why Choose Congruence Law, P.C.

We help companies build fair, lawful, and enforceable employment systems that attract talent and withstand scrutiny. Whether you’re recruiting top talent, issuing stock options, or terminating a difficult employee, we ensure your process is legally defensible and strategically sound. Contact us:

business@congruencelaw.com or at 202-630-8141

Let us help you lead with clarity — and protect the people who power your business.