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Employment Agreements

BeforeJD catches overbroad non-competes, hidden IP assignment clauses, and at-will termination traps.

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Informational only. Not legal advice.

An employment agreement filed publicly with the SEC, read by BeforeJD. Two of its eight findings are shown.

Read the original on SEC.gov

Employment agreement

Section 9(c) Effect of breach

In the event Employee breaches or otherwise fails to comply with the provisions of Section 11 or 12 below, then, … in addition to any other remedies provided herein or at law or in equity, the Company shall have the right to require return of any severance payment made to the Employee.

High risk

Severance you were paid can be taken back after a breach.

Ask that repayment apply only to a material, willful breach left uncured thirty days after written notice.

Section 16(a) Arbitration

… any dispute or controversy arising out of …, relating to, or concerning the interpretation, construction, performance or breach of this Agreement, shall be settled by arbitration … THIS ARBITRATION CLAUSE CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF EMPLOYEE’S RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL …

Medium risk

You waive your right to a jury trial.

Disputes over this agreement go to arbitration instead of court.

Redline, section 9(c)

As written the Company shall have the right to require return of any severance payment made to the Employee.

Proposed The Company's right to recover any Severance Payment under this Section shall apply only upon a material and willful breach of Section 11 or 12 that remains uncured thirty (30) days after written notice …, and any recovery shall be limited to the portion of the Severance Payment reasonably attributable to the period of breach. This clawback right shall expire two (2) years following termination of employment.

How BeforeJD works

Chapter

Documents this read covers

BeforeJD analyzes employment contracts for hidden restrictions that could limit your career. We scrutinize non-compete and non-solicitation clauses for enforceability, flag overbroad IP assignment provisions that could claim your side projects, and verify that compensation, benefits, and severance terms match what was discussed. We check at-will language, clawback clauses, and garden leave provisions against current state law.

  1. Offer letters

  2. Employment contracts

  3. Severance agreements

  4. Executive compensation packages

  5. Amendment letters

Chapter

What a read has found

Three findings from real reads of this kind of contract.

  1. Non-compete exceeding 12 months with no geographic limitation

  2. IP assignment covering personal projects created outside work hours

  3. At-will termination with no severance trigger despite verbal promises

Chapter

Questions people ask

What Employment Agreements documents can BeforeJD review?
The read covers Offer letters, Employment contracts, Severance agreements, Executive compensation packages, Amendment letters, uploaded as a PDF, a Word file, or a photo. BeforeJD catches overbroad non-competes, hidden IP assignment clauses, and at-will termination traps.
What does BeforeJD look for in Employment Agreements documents?
Employment Agreements: a review that works clause by clause, comparing the document against common trouble spots for this kind of agreement, flagging anything unusual, and telling you what to ask for before you sign.
What does it cost to have Employment Agreements documents read, and how long does it take?
$4.99 for one read, $19.99 for five, or $34.99 for ten, with no subscription. Under five minutes for most agreements. You receive the report by email with the marked-up copy attached.

Chapter

Guides on this kind of contract

Written by the BeforeJD team, in plain English.

  1. Employment Offer Checklist: What to Look for Before You Accept

    Thirteen things to check in an employment offer before you accept, from base pay and bonus conditions to equity vesting, restrictive covenants, and the deadline to sign. Here is what the headline salary number does not tell you.
    Read the guide

  2. How to Negotiate Your Employment Contract

    Most employment terms are negotiable if you know what to ask. A step-by-step guide to protecting yourself before day one.
    Read the guide

  3. Are Non-Competes Enforceable in 2026?

    Non-compete law is changing fast. A practical overview of where things stand and what it means for your next contract.
    Read the guide

  4. Contractor vs. Employee: What Your Contract Should Say

    Misclassification can trigger tax penalties and lost benefits. How to make sure your contract matches your actual relationship.
    Read the guide

  5. What Does Work for Hire Actually Mean?

    Work-for-hire clauses transfer ownership of your creative work to the client. Learn what that means, when it applies, and how to protect yourself.
    Read the guide

Whatever you are about to sign, you do not have to read it alone.

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A starting point for your conversation, not legal advice.