Robert Adelson

Robert Adelson is a corporate, tax and employment attorney and principal of Adelson & Associates, LLC, Boston, Massachusetts. Rob represents CEOs and C-Level executives on various issues including employment terms, tax-favored equity, bonus and LTI compensation, change of control, retention, separation, wrongful termination, noncompete and restrictive covenants. Drawing on more than 25 years of relevant experience in employment law, executive contracts and tax matters, including an advanced law degree (L.L.M. in Taxation from NYU), he empowers his clients to position themselves optimally with regard to compensation and bonuses, as well as employee equity. He also handles matters involving severance and termination agreements, and retention and change of control contingencies. Robert Adelson is an opinion columnist for the CEOWORLD magazine. Follow him on Twitter or connect on LinkedIn.

C-Suite Advisory

Negotiating Your COO Employment Agreement

Robert AdelsonC-Suite AdvisoryMay 28, 2019October 22, 2019

Unlike CEOs and CFOs, not every company has a Chief Operating Officer, and not every COO has the same responsibilities, span of control, decision rights, and position in the reporting structure. There is not a standard job description for COOs. Therefore, should you be offered a COO position, it is...

Executive Education

Negotiating Executive Retention Agreement Terms to Protect Your Interests

Robert AdelsonExecutive EducationApril 26, 2019October 22, 2019

In today’s turbulent business environment, C-suite executives, especially CEOs, CMOs, CSOs and CTOs in technology and life sciences, do not stay in the same job for many years. Sometimes they are lured to more attractive opportunities. Other times, their companies are acquired by or merge with another company. In these...

CEO Insider

From Founder-CEO to CTO or CSO: Key Protections in Succession Planning when you face the Founder’s Dilemma

Robert AdelsonCEO InsiderMarch 27, 2019October 22, 2019

Are you the founder or co-founder of a successful startup in tech, e-commerce, life science or other areas of the innovation economy? Chances are that at some point, you may become a victim of your own success. You may be asked and even pressured to let a “professional” CEO take...

C-Suite Advisory

Executive Service on Corporate Boards of Directors – Benefits, Liabilities and Compensation

Robert AdelsonC-Suite AdvisoryFebruary 21, 2019October 22, 2019

Many CEOs and other high-ranking executives are regularly asked to serve on boards of directors. Indeed, the industry knowledge, business acumen and day-to-day management experience that C-level executives have make them perfect candidates to serve on a board, whether it be an outside board or the board of directors of...

C-Suite Advisory

Negotiating Your New CSO or CTO Employment Agreement

Robert AdelsonC-Suite AdvisoryJanuary 28, 2019October 22, 2019

Congratulations! You have received a job offer as Chief Technology Officer or Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of a software, robotics, e-commerce or other technology-based company or a Chief Scientific Officer or Chief Medical Officer (CSO) of a biotechnology, medical device, healthcare or other life science company. You have worked hard,...

Executive Education

Essential Employment Contract Terms for Medical Device and Biotechnology Executives

Robert AdelsonExecutive EducationDecember 29, 2018December 28, 2018

The medical device and biotechnology industries are fast growing and so is their demand for CEOs, C-suite and senior executives, with ever rising compensation being awarded to those in demand. If you are an executive in this industry or aspiring to become one, you should take care to review your...

Executive Education

Negotiating The Right Executive Compensation Package For Yourself

Robert AdelsonExecutive EducationOctober 30, 2018October 22, 2019

When you negotiate your executive compensation package, you should seek to accomplish several important and distinct goals: Secure your own basic financial needs, Secure a highly valuable equity stake for yourself in the company, Negotiate the key terms for equity or phantom stock, Create incentives that align with the company for...

C-Suite Advisory

An Executive Severance Agreement Protects Your Employment, Career and Reputation

Robert AdelsonC-Suite AdvisorySeptember 25, 2018October 19, 2018

A new job, like a new marriage, brims with excitement. Often the job does result in success and brings even further opportunity. Like a prenuptial agreement, however, it is wise to plan for a separation when such high stakes are involved. A severance agreement protects executives employed on an at-will...

Executive Education

Structuring Bonuses in Your CEO Compensation for Maximum Benefit

Robert AdelsonExecutive EducationMay 29, 2018October 22, 2019

When CEOs and senior executives consider new job offers, executive compensation negotiations often focus on the base salary. Yet an equal and often greater portion of your cash compensation may come from your bonus. There is often far greater latitude and room for negotiation over bonuses. This article discusses the...

C-Suite Agenda

Becoming CEO of a Startup – Key Employment Contract and Equity Terms and Other Considerations

Robert AdelsonC-Suite AgendaApril 24, 2018October 22, 2019

You are a seasoned executive with a proven track record at several established companies in your industry. One day, you receive an offer to be CEO of a startup. The startup CEO offer could be on the ground floor of a well-funded venture or perhaps to lead an up and...

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Robert Adelson

Negotiating Your COO Employment Agreement

Negotiating Executive Retention Agreement Terms to Protect Your Interests

From Founder-CEO to CTO or CSO: Key Protections in Succession Planning when you face the Founder’s Dilemma

Executive Service on Corporate Boards of Directors – Benefits, Liabilities and Compensation

Negotiating Your New CSO or CTO Employment Agreement

Essential Employment Contract Terms for Medical Device and Biotechnology Executives

Negotiating The Right Executive Compensation Package For Yourself

An Executive Severance Agreement Protects Your Employment, Career and Reputation

Structuring Bonuses in Your CEO Compensation for Maximum Benefit

Becoming CEO of a Startup – Key Employment Contract and Equity Terms and Other Considerations

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