Employment Contracts
Labor and Employment | ContractsWe draft and negotiate employment agreements, offer letters, separation agreements, and executive compensation arrangements that protect employer interests while attracting and retaining talent.
Overview
Structuring Employment Relationships
Employment contracts establish the terms of employment relationships. MC Law's Employment Contracts practice helps employers structure agreements that attract talent, protect business interests, and minimize legal risk.
Offer Letters and Employment Agreements
We draft offer letters and employment agreements that establish clear terms while preserving at-will employment where appropriate. We address compensation, benefits, duties, term, and termination provisions.
Executive Employment Executive agreements require special attention. We draft and negotiate CEO and senior executive agreements addressing compensation, equity, benefits, termination provisions, and post-employment obligations. We balance competitive terms with appropriate protections. Restrictive Covenants Protecting business interests requires enforceable restrictions. We draft non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality provisions tailored to applicable state law and legitimate business needs. We advise on enforceability and appropriate scope. Separation Agreements Employee departures require careful documentation. We draft separation agreements that provide releases, address post-employment obligations, and comply with OWBPA and other requirements. We negotiate favorable terms for departing executives. Independent Contractor Agreements Contractor relationships need proper structuring. We draft independent contractor agreements that establish appropriate terms while supporting classification positions. We address IP assignment, confidentiality, and termination. International Arrangements Global employment involves additional complexity. We advise on international employment agreements, expatriate arrangements, and cross-border employment issues. We coordinate with local counsel on country-specific requirements.Our Services
labor_and_employment
Federal registration and validity opinions
restrictive_covenants_confidentiality_ip
Federal registration and validity opinions
termination_layoffs_plant_closings
Federal registration and validity opinions
Licensing & Transactions
Negotiate and draft license agreements
DMCA Services
Takedown notices and counter-notices
Enforcement
Cease and desist through litigation
Fair Use Analysis
Evaluate fair use defenses and risks
Music & Entertainment
Industry-specific copyright matters
Frequently Asked Questions
Key terms include job duties, compensation and benefits, at-will or fixed-term status, confidentiality obligations, intellectual property assignment, restrictive covenants, termination provisions, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Enforceability varies significantly by state. Most states require reasonable limitations on duration, geographic scope, and restricted activities. Some states like California largely prohibit non-competes, and federal regulation of non-competes continues to evolve.
Executive agreements typically include enhanced compensation packages, equity or incentive provisions, change-in-control protections, severance arrangements, expanded restrictive covenants, and bespoke termination provisions beyond standard employment terms.
Offer letters are simpler documents suitable for standard positions. Formal agreements are advisable for executives, key employees, roles involving significant IP or trade secrets, and positions requiring robust restrictive covenants.
Separation agreements typically include severance payment terms, a general release of claims, confidentiality provisions, non-disparagement clauses, cooperation obligations, and confirmation of post-employment restrictive covenants. They must comply with OWBPA requirements for employees over 40.
Fair use is a defense that permits limited use of copyrighted material without permission. Courts consider four factors: the purpose and character of use (commercial vs. educational, transformative vs. copying), the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount used, and the effect on the market. Fair use is highly fact-specific.
For works created today by individual authors, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. Works made for hire and anonymous/pseudonymous works are protected for 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter. Older works may have different terms.
Yes, software code is protected by copyright as a literary work. Both source code and object code can be registered. However, copyright protects the expression of ideas, not the underlying functionality—patent protection may be more appropriate for novel methods and processes implemented in software.
Our virtual legal services offer streamlined, cost-effective solutions for common copyright needs. Services like copyright registration, assignment agreements, and DMCA takedowns are available online with fixed, transparent pricing. You get the quality of a top IP firm with the convenience of digital delivery.
Related Matters
Represented streaming platform in landmark DMCA safe harbor case. Successfully defended client's safe harbor status while obtaining injunctive relief against repeat infringers, resulting in dismissal of $500M damages claim.
Prosecuted copyright infringement claims on behalf of professional photographers whose work was used without authorization. Secured significant damages award and implementation of improved licensing procedures.
Enforced copyright and trade dress rights in mobile game against clone applications. Obtained preliminary injunction and permanent removal of infringing apps from major app stores worldwide.
Cutting-edge case addressing use of copyrighted music in AI training datasets. Negotiated comprehensive licensing framework that allows continued AI development while protecting rightsholders' interests.
Prosecuted claims against former executive who copied proprietary source code to competitor. Established ownership under work-for-hire doctrine and obtained injunction plus damages for willful infringement.
Represented academic publisher in enforcement action against site hosting pirated textbooks. Implemented systematic takedown program and pursued contributory infringement claims against operators.
Get in Touch
Connect with our copyright team to discuss your matter
Practice Contacts
Michael Roberts
Sarah Kim
