When employment issues arise at director or senior executive level, the stakes are exceptionally high. Your career, reputation, remuneration, and future opportunities often depend on the decisions you make in the earliest stages of a dispute. You need an employment law specialist who understands the complexity, scrutiny and commercial sensitivity of board‑level conflicts.
Our specialist employment team provides expert legal advice to directors, CEOs, CFOs, COOs, partners and other senior leaders facing complex employment disputes. We work to ensure that your position is protected, your rights are enforced, and you remain in control of the outcome.
Specialist legal support for high‑level employment issues
Working at director or senior executive level means your employment relationship is governed by more than a standard employment contract.
You may be bound by:
- Shareholder or partnership agreements
- Confidentiality and fiduciary obligations
- Long‑term incentive plans (LTIPs)
- Share options and bonus schemes
- Restrictive covenants and post‑termination restraints
- Regulatory or reputational considerations.
Disputes involving these issues require strategic, commercially focused advice designed to safeguard both your career and your public profile.
Core services for directors and senior executives
- Executive exits and settlement agreements – we negotiate high‑value exit packages, ensure contractual entitlements are properly paid, and protect your long‑term interests. This includes bonuses, LTIPs, share options, notice pay, and reputation management.
- Boardroom and shareholder disputes – we support directors facing breakdowns in board relationships, shareholder conflicts, loss of trust, governance issues, or removal from office.
- Bonus, commission and incentive scheme disputes – we advise executives seeking to enforce their rights to unpaid bonuses, commission, LTIPs and share‑based awards.
- Performance allegations and misconduct investigations – sensitive allegations can have lasting career implications. We provide robust strategic support to protect your position and ensure procedural fairness.
- Restrictive covenant and confidentiality issues – whether you need to challenge post‑termination restrictions or defend against threats of enforcement, we provide practical, commercial advice grounded in the latest case law.
- Whistleblowing and protected disclosures – we represent senior employees raising concerns about regulatory breaches, financial misconduct, governance failures or unethical practices, ensuring full legal protection.
Our approach
Director and senior executive disputes require more than technical employment law knowledge.
They require:
- Discretion and sensitivity
- Strong negotiation skills
- Commercial understanding
- Reputational protection
- Calm, clear and strategic guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Below you will find answers to some frequently asked questions that our Employment team are asked with regard to director and senior executive disputes.What should a director do first if they are facing an employment dispute?
Can a director challenge unfair allegations or a breakdown of trust and confidence?
How long do director or senior executive disputes typically take to resolve?
Can restrictive covenants be enforced against senior executives?
What financial entitlements can senior executives claim on exit?
Are disputes involving directors handled differently from standard employment matters?
Can I negotiate better terms in my settlement agreement?
Find out more about the team
