We're talking about negotiating a contract with a value on the order of a million dollars (say, US$200k total compensation per year for five years). Even if you don't have a lawyer normally, it may be worth the few hundred dollars it costs to hire one for this purpose, unless you have no savings.

I never did, though. I just crossed out the clauses I didn't want to accept and initialed them.

Sometimes general employment law is not enough and you need someone who specializes in executive contracts for upper management.

A good employment law lawyer is A) not at all hard to find in major metros, B) charges reasonable rates for quick turnaround times, and C) is something more people need to have on their side in general, rather than elevating them as some snooty thing only the elite have.

This whole “bUt WhO hAs A lAwYeR” nonsense I’m being blasted with in my comments is exactly why these sorts of contracts, grifts, and scams are allowed to exist and succeed.

Know your rights, get a lawyer, and then share that knowledge with others. It’s Organizing 101 stuff.

Money can be exchanged for goods and services.

It’s not that difficult to have legal help with your contract. Call your local bar association and ask for an employment law specialist. It will likely cost a couple hundred for them to review your contract.

I understand that your advice is in good faith - but if we touch grass for a second, we can easily find recommendations for employment law attorneys who work at very reasonable rates with fast (sub-1wk) turnaround times.

Because that’s how I found mine. $200 later, and I had total confidence in what I was signing and a lawyer on my side if things went pear-shaped in the future.