Quick Facts — Employment Contract Lawyers (New York)

What is a New York Employment Contract?

A New York employment contract is a legally binding agreement that an employer and new employee use to define the roles and obligations of each party in the employment relationship. Employment contracts can be used when hiring temporary employees and contractors but are most often used for highly paid permanent employees.

It is common to include the following negotiated issues in a New York employment contract:

  • Job title and duties
  • Employment start date
  • Compensation
  • Benefits
  • Working hours
  • Vacation and time off
  • Procedures for discipline and grievances
  • Reasons for termination
  • Non-compete and other restrictive clauses

The primary purpose of an employment contract is to protect the rights of the employer and the employee. New York is an “employment at will” state. This means without an employment contract employees can be terminated for any legal reason or no reason at all without notice. An employment contract will lay out specific reasons for termination that an employer must abide by which protects an employee’s job.

The restrictive covenants protect employers by prohibiting the employee from taking actions that could damage the company. Common restrictive covenants include non-compete agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and non-solicitation agreements.

Are Employment Contracts Enforceable in New York?

Employment contracts are only enforceable in New York if they are in writing and signed by both parties. The only exception to this rule is if the duration of employment is less than one year long. Contracts that can be completed in less than one year are not subject to the Statute of Frauds and therefore can be enforced without a written agreement.

For example, if a company verbally offers an employee a position for five years and the employee accepts, the agreement will not be enforced unless it is writing. If the employee begins working for this company, they will be considered an “at will” employee who can be fired at any time for any reason.

What Are the Legal Requirements for New York Employment Contracts?

New York requires employment contracts to be in writing and signed by both parties. To be legally binding, there must be an offer, acceptance, consideration, the intent to be bound, and mutual assent. Contracts that will be used for employment not exceeding one year can be oral contracts, but it is highly suggested that even short-term employment contracts be written and signed.

Non-compete agreements are also enforceable in New York but must meet a separate set of legal requirements. These requirements are:

  1. The agreement must be necessary to protect the employer’s legitimate business interests
  2. It cannot impose undue hardship on the employee
  3. The contract cannot harm the public
  4. It must be reasonable in duration and geographic boundaries

More information about New York employment and labor laws can be found in Chapter 31 of the Consolidated Laws of New York.

Types of New York Employment Contracts

There are several types of New York employment contracts. The contract used will be based on the purpose of the contract, the type of work the company does, and the type of employee hired.

Commonly used employment contracts include:

  • Permanent employment contract. This contract is used by a company to hire a permanent employee with regular hours and an hourly wage or salary.
  • Fixed term employment contract. Used when hiring employees, like seasonal workers, who work for a specific time period.
  • Contractor agreement. Used when a company hires an independent contractor who is not a company employee to complete a job.
  • N on-compete agreement . Prohibits employees from starting a business or working for a company that is direct competition of the employer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I hire a lawyer to draft an employment contract in New York?
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to draft an employment contract in New York?
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to review an employment contract in New York?

See Employment Contract by State

See Real Employment Contract Projects

Arizona COO employment contract Review
  • Arizona
  • 4 lawyer bids
  • $400 - $750
View Details
Texas Employment Contract Review Review
  • Texas
  • 4 lawyer bids
  • $400 - $700
View Details
Tennessee Review employee agreement Review
  • Tennessee
  • 9 lawyer bids
  • $350 - $750
View Details
Illinois Employment contract review and negotiation Drafting
  • Illinois
  • 4 lawyer bids
  • $600 - $750
View Details
Illinois Employment Contract Review
  • Illinois
  • 8 lawyer bids
  • $240 - $695
View Details
Oklahoma review dental employment contract Review
  • Oklahoma
  • 8 lawyer bids
  • $450 - $875
View Details

See all Employment Contract projects in New York


ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.


Need help with an Employment Contract?

Create a free project posting
Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 22,785 reviews

Meet some of our New York Employment Contract Lawyers

Brianna N. on ContractsCounsel
View Brianna
5.0 (2)
Member Since:
June 16, 2021

Brianna N.

Attorney
Free Consultation
New York
10 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
Touro Law School

Brianna is a well-respected New York licensed attorney with a Juris Doctorate degree in law from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law School and bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Dowling College. Since becoming an attorney, she has practiced in various areas including business law, corporate law, residential real estate, commercial real estate, criminal law, traffic law, employment law, landlord tenant law, estate planning, and has represented intermediaries in procurement and the personal protective equipment industry. Brianna has broad and extensive business experience; She is an entrepreneur and co-owner of a microtechnology manufacturing company that was built by her and her partner, where she also served as the Chief Legal Officer and Human Resource Manager for the company. While building the manufacturing business, she created a brokerage firm for business transactions and has managed several other businesses which she has ownership interest in. Brianna’s involvement in these various businesses over the past 15 years provides a unique skillset to her clients; Not only does she understand contractual principals and obligations from a legal perspective while drafting and negotiating agreements, but she also has the foresight, experience, and ability to ensure the agreement reflects the practical aspects of the business. Based on the client’s needs and desired outcome, she has the forethought to cover different angles that would be overlooked from a legal standpoint, and as a result she is able to help prevent unforeseen business ramifications. She conducts extensive risk assessments on behalf of her clients and minimizes exposure to potential liability without “over lawyering” agreements. One of Brianna’s main areas of focus is drafting and negotiating agreements. Negotiation is a passion of hers which was applied in law school while she was a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Society, notably winning Touro Law School’s intraschool negotiation competition. In her more recent years, Brianna has removed herself from her various business interests to focus on her law practice. Brianna has a strong moral compass and believes in quality over quantity. She treats every client as a top priority; thus, she will not take on many cases at a time because she wants to give each client the focus and attention they deserve. She has sharp attention to detail and is a forceful advocate for every client. Brianna has broad and extensive business experience; She is an entrepreneur and co-owner of a microtechnology manufacturing company that was built by her and her partner, where she also served as the Chief Legal Officer and Human Resource Manager for the company. While building the manufacturing business, she created a brokerage firm for business transactions and has managed several other businesses which she has ownership interest in. Brianna’s involvement in these various businesses over the past 15 years provides a unique skillset to her clients; Not only does she understand contractual principals and obligations from a legal perspective while drafting and negotiating agreements, but she also has the foresight, experience, and ability to ensure the agreement reflects the practical aspects of the business. Based on the client’s needs and desired outcome, she has the forethought to cover different angles that would be overlooked from a legal standpoint, and as a result she is able to help prevent unforeseen business ramifications. She conducts extensive risk assessments on behalf of her clients and minimizes exposure to potential liability without “over lawyering” agreements. Additionally, she specializes in drafting and negotiating agreements. Negotiation is a passion of hers which was applied in law school while she was a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Society, notably winning Touro Law School’s intraschool negotiation competition. In her more recent years, Brianna has removed herself from her various business interests to focus on her law practice. Brianna has a strong moral compass and believes in quality over quantity. She treats every client as a top priority; thus, she will not take on many cases at a time because she wants to give each client the focus and attention they deserve. She has sharp attention to detail and is a forceful advocate for every client.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Brianna gave me a very reasonable quote compared to other bids, and she's super responsible and thorough with her job, an absolute delight to work with, highly recommended!"

Terence B. on ContractsCounsel
View Terence
5.0 (45)
Member Since:
August 23, 2020

Terence B.

Partner
Free Consultation
Orlando, FL and New York, NY
15 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY FL
Georgetown University Law Center

Terry Brennan is an experienced corporate, intellectual property and emerging company transactions attorney who has been a partner at two national Wall Street law firms and a trusted corporate counsel. He focuses on providing practical, cost-efficient and creative legal advice to entrepreneurs, established enterprises and investors for business, corporate finance, intellectual property and technology transactions. As a partner at prominent law firms, Terry's work centered around financing, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, securities transactions, outsourcing and structuring of business entities to protect, license, finance and commercialize technology, manufacturing, digital media, intellectual property, entertainment and financial assets. As the General Counsel of IBAX Healthcare Systems, Terry was responsible for all legal and related business matters including health information systems licensing agreements, merger and acquisitions, product development and regulatory issues, contract administr

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Working with Terence was quick and easy, we would highly recommend him."

Seth S. on ContractsCounsel
View Seth
5.0 (2)
Member Since:
October 1, 2020

Seth S.

Attorney
Free Consultation
New York
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
Touro Law School

I am an attorney admitted in NY, with over 6 years of experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide array of contracts and agreements. I have experience in Sports and Entertainment, Real Estate, Healthcare, Estate Planning and with Startup Companies. I am confident I can assist you with all of your legal needs.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Seth was great! Super responsive and knowledgeable about acquisitions. He spent the time to ask questions I would have never thought of and really covered all bases. Thanks Seth!!!"

Matthew S. on ContractsCounsel
View Matthew
4.9 (13)
Member Since:
August 5, 2020

Matthew S.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Flemington, NJ
42 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY NJ
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (Yeshiva University)

I am a 1984 graduate of the Benjamin N Cardozo School of Law (Yeshiva University) and have been licensed in New Jersey for over 35 years. I have extensive experience in negotiating real estate, business contracts, and loan agreements. Depending on your needs I can work remotely or face-to-face. I offer prompt and courteous service and can tailor a contract and process to meet your needs.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Matthew was prompt and professional and satisfied all requirements of my request!"

Jane C. on ContractsCounsel
View Jane
4.9 (148)
Member Since:
October 8, 2020

Jane C.

Attorney
Free Consultation
New York
21 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY CT, DC
Pace University School of Law

Skilled in the details of complex corporate transactions, I have 15 years experience working with entrepreneurs and businesses to plan and grow for the future. Clients trust me because of the practical guided advice I provide. No deal is too small or complex for me to handle.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Jane was fantastic. She caught real gaps and fixed everything quickly and accurately. Highly recommend!"

Ramsey T. on ContractsCounsel
View Ramsey
4.9 (5)
Member Since:
November 3, 2020

Ramsey T.

Founding Partner
Free Consultation
New York
29 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
William and Mary

My clients are often small and medium size technology companies, from the "idea" stage to clients who may have raised a round or three of capital and need to clean up a messy cap table. I help with all legal matters related to growth that keep founders up at night - hiring people, allocating equity, dealing with shareholders and investors, client negotiations and early litigation counseling (before you need a litigator). I've seen a lot, and because I run my own business, I understand the concerns that keep you up at night. I’ve been through, both on my own and through other clients, the “teething” pains that will inevitably arise as you scale-up – and I’m here to help you. I have over 20 years international experience devising and implementing robust corporate legal strategies and governance for large multinationals. I now focus on start-ups and early/medium stage technology companies to enable a sound legal foundation for your successful business operations. Many of my clients are international with US based holding companies or presences. My 17 years abroad helps me "translate" between different regimes and even enabling Civil and Common Law lawyers to come together. Regularly, I handle early stage financings including Convertible Notes, Seed and Series A/B financings; commercial and technology contracts; international transactions; tax; mergers and acquisitions.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Great communication via multiple media; quick to respond once actual communication channel was open; did exactly what he said he would do (in this instance, quicker than he said that he would be able to); knowledgeable; personable"

Jeffrey P. on ContractsCounsel
View Jeffrey
Member Since:
August 24, 2020

Jeffrey P.

Member
Free Consultation
Deerfield Beach, FL
17 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY FL
Florida State University College of Law

Mr. Pomeranz serves as the principal of Pomeranz Law PLLC, a boutique law firm representing clients across myriad industries and verticals. Before founding the firm, Mr. Pomeranz served as Senior Vice President, Legal & Compliance and General Counsel of Mortgage Connect, LP in 2017. Mr. Pomeranz also served as Counsel, Transactions for Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. (NASDAQ: ASPS) beginning in 2013, and was based in the company’s C-Suite in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Mr. Pomeranz began his career with Mainline Information Systems, Inc. as an in-house attorney.

Find the best lawyer for your project

Browse Lawyers Now

Lawyer Reviews for New York Employment Contract Projects

New Employment Contract

5.0

"Excellent attorney. Assignment done on time. Well rounded with medical contracts, especially pediatrics. Highly recommended."

Florida
Review
Employment Contract
ContractsCounsel User

Revise Existing Employment Agreement for Texas Employees

5.0

"Darryl did an excellent job helping us adapt our employment agreement for Texas. He was responsive, answered our questions thoroughly, and made thoughtful revisions based on our business needs rather than simply making every requested change. He explained the reasoning behind his recommendations, which we appreciated. The final agreement is professional, well organized, and gives us confidence as we expand into Texas. I would gladly work with Darryl again and highly recommend him."

Texas
Drafting
Employment Contract
ContractsCounsel User

Review Veterinary Contract

5.0

"Ryenne was wonderful to work with! She went through each section of my contract line by line with me and made sure I understood every aspect."

West Virginia
Review
Employment Contract
ContractsCounsel User

California Employment Agreement Review and Recomendations

"I have no positive words for this experience"

Reply From William B.

View More
California
Drafting
Employment Contract
ContractsCounsel User

Review Employment Contract

5.0

"Great working with Allen- highly recommend"

Reply From Allen L.

View More
Massachusetts
Review
Employment Contract
ContractsCounsel User

Business

Employment Contract

Florida

Asked on Apr 17, 2023

What's the safety policy in an employment contract?

I recently accepted a job offer from a new employer and as part of the employment contract, I need to understand the safety policy in the workplace. I understand that safety policies in the workplace are important for the protection of both employees and employers, but I am not sure of the specific details of the safety policy included in my employment contract. I would like to know what safety policies are included in the contract in order to ensure that I have a safe working environment.

Diane D.

Answered May 2, 2023

Without seeing the contract, there is no way of knowing.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employment

Employment Contract

New York

Asked on Apr 15, 2023

What should be included in my employment contract?

I am a small business owner looking to hire an employee for the first time. I have never written an employment contract before, so I am unsure of what should be included in the contract to ensure that it is legally binding and protects both the employee and me. I am looking for advice on what should be included in the contract to ensure that my interests and those of my employee are adequately protected.

Donya G.

Answered Apr 18, 2023

Hello, Congratulations on your business. Here are some things that need to be in the agreement - amount you will pay them, when you will pay, the term of the employment, confidentiality, non solicit. Since you have never done this before, I would like to suggest that you hire an attorney to get it done to ensure it is done correctly. I am a NY attorney with over 20 years of experience. I assist small businesses like yours with their employment, vendor, investment and all their contract needs. I would love to assist you. You can contact me on the Contracts Counsel website or on my personal page - Donya Gordon Looking forward to talking to and working with you Sincerely Donya Gordon

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employment

Employment Contract

North Carolina

Asked on Apr 18, 2023

What's position hierarchy in an employment contract?

I am a potential employee considering a job offer from a company. I have received a copy of the employment contract, but I am confused about the position hierarchy outlined in it. Specifically, I am unsure of the differences between the various job titles and the roles and responsibilities associated with each one. I would like to know more about the position hierarchy in the contract to better understand the job I am considering.

N'kia N.

Answered Jun 2, 2023

Position hierarchy may vary, as it is typically based on such factors as industry standards, company size, and internal policies. Before accepting an employment offer, a prospective employee should have a clear understanding of where the proposed position stands in the prospective employer's position hierarchy, as well as how the hierarchy affects the duties and responsibilities for that position. If the position hierarchy in a proposed employment contract or an employment offer letter is confusing, the prospective employee should seek clarification from the proposed employer.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employment

Employment Contract

Massachusetts

Asked on Apr 12, 2023

What's paid time off in an employment contract?

I am a recent college graduate and I am in the process of negotiating an employment contract with a large company. I am trying to make sure I understand the terms of the contract, including the paid time off that is offered. I am hoping to get a better understanding of what's included in the paid time off section of the contract so I can make an informed decision about the offer.

Joseph M.

Answered May 12, 2023

Paid Time Off (PTO) is essentially days (or even hours) that the employee is not required to work but the employer still pays the employee for those hours. It can be awarded in a lump sum in advance, or earned and accumulated over time, dependent on the terms of the employment agreement. PTO may be granted in addition to or in lieu of vacation days, sick days, etc, again depending on the unique employment agreement.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employment

Employment Contract

Georgia

Asked on Apr 12, 2025

Can a company withhold a performance bonus if I leave before the payout date?

I recently resigned from my job, and in my employment contract, there was a provision for a performance bonus to be paid out at the end of the year. However, the payout date is a few months away, and I am concerned that the company may try to withhold the bonus since I am no longer employed with them. I want to know if they have the legal right to do so, or if I am still entitled to receive the bonus based on my performance during my time of employment.

Jerome L.

Answered Apr 15, 2025

This is a great—and very common—question. Whether the company can legally withhold your performance bonus after resignation depends heavily on how your employment agreement is written and how the bonus is classified. Key Factors to Consider: 1. Is the Bonus Discretionary or Earned? If your contract defines the bonus as discretionary, the employer generally has the right to decide whether to pay it and can condition it on continued employment. If the bonus is based on meeting specific performance goals or metrics, and those have been satisfied, it may be considered earned—even if the payment date is in the future. 2. Does the Contract Require You to Be Employed on the Payout Date? Many agreements include language stating the employee must be actively employed on the bonus payout date. If such a clause exists, the company may be within its rights to withhold the bonus, even if the performance was completed. 3. What Is the Bonus Period? If your bonus was based on a performance period that has already ended (such as a calendar or fiscal year), and you met your goals, you may have a stronger case for claiming the bonus as earned compensation. Georgia-Specific Note: In Georgia, employment is at-will, and courts generally uphold the terms of a written employment agreement. However, Georgia courts have also recognized that earned wages (which can include bonuses if not discretionary) must be paid. If the bonus is performance-based and the company has paid similar bonuses under the same conditions in the past, you may have grounds to assert that the payment is owed. What You Can Do: Review your employment agreement and any bonus policy documents closely. Look for phrases like “discretionary,” “earned,” and “must be employed on the payout date.” If the language is unclear, you may want to consult an attorney to evaluate whether the company is legally permitted to withhold the bonus—or if you may have a claim based on how the bonus was structured and earned. If you would like help reviewing your agreement, I’d be happy to assist.

Read 1 attorney answer>
See more legal questions…

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

View Trustpilot Review

Need help with an Employment Contract?

Create a free project posting
Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 22,785 reviews
Employment lawyers by top cities
See All New York Employment Lawyers
New York Employment Contract lawyers by city
See All Employment Contract Lawyers

ContractsCounsel User

Recent Project:
Contract for salary employee
Location: Texas
Turnaround: Less than a week
Service: Drafting
Doc Type: Employment Contract
Number of Bids: 7
Bid Range: $425 - $1,050

ContractsCounsel User

Recent Project:
Employment Contract Review
Location: Texas
Turnaround: Less than a week
Service: Contract Review
Doc Type: Employment Contract
Page Count: 15
Number of Bids: 4
Bid Range: $400 - $700

Need help with an Employment Contract?

Create a free project posting
Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 22,785 reviews

Want to speak to someone?

Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect!

Request a call

Find lawyers and attorneys by city