California Employment Law
Employment Contract Review for California Tech Workers

Before you sign that offer letter or employment agreement, get a California attorney's eyes on it. I review contracts for SDRs, engineers, designers, and other tech professionals.

See Review Packages →
1,400+
Contracts Reviewed
24hr
Turnaround
CA
Licensed
🐻
California
Bar #279869

Hire a Lawyer for Your Employment Contract Review

I review offer letters, employment agreements, severance, and equity grants for California employees. The starting point is a $240 Written Attorney Consultation: submit your question, a short factual summary, and key documents, and I send a written attorney response identifying the main legal issues, risks, leverage points, and practical next steps. If your matter is a dispute about an existing contract, I move to the $575 attorney demand letter.

$575
Attorney demand letter
  • On my CA Bar letterhead (CA Bar #279869)
  • USPS certified mail + signature requested + email
  • Cites the controlling California statute with response deadline
  • One target, one matter
Request this package - $575
Or email me first at owner@terms.law
For complex matters
$1,200
Demand letter + draft lawsuit
  • Everything in the $575 package
  • Plus a court-ready draft complaint attached as an exhibit
  • Other side sees the lawsuit is already drafted
Request this package - $1,200
Or email me first at owner@terms.law

Free AI legal tools (Opus-powered)

Contract Clause Risk Scanner
Paste any clause. AI flags risk and suggests redlines.
Case Strength + Sample DL
Free AI screen of your situation: get a strength score and sample paragraph.
Causes of Action Finder
Paste your dispute. AI identifies the actionable California claims.
Quick Triage: What Do You Need?

Answer these questions to find the right resource for your situation.

Question 1
What document do you have?
Question 2
What's your role type?
Question 3
What's your timeline?
✓ Recommended: Standard Review

Based on your answers, I recommend the Standard Review package. This covers:

  • Full contract analysis with California-specific flags
  • Written summary of key terms and risks
  • Recommended negotiation points

See pricing below →

⚡ Recommended: Priority Review

Given your tight timeline, I recommend the Priority Review package with 24-hour turnaround.

  • Same-day or next-day delivery
  • Full contract analysis
  • Direct Q&A session included

See pricing below →

✓ Recommended: Executive Package

Executive and director-level agreements typically include equity, severance, and non-compete provisions that require deeper analysis.

  • Comprehensive equity/option analysis
  • Severance and termination review
  • Non-compete enforceability assessment (hint: not enforceable in CA)
  • $240 written attorney consultation included

See pricing below →

⚠️ Sales Role Alert

Sales and SDR contracts often have commission-specific terms that need careful review:

  • Commission clawbacks - Can they take back earned commissions?
  • Quota attainment - How are quotas set and changed?
  • Territory changes - Can they reassign your accounts?
  • At-will language - Can they fire you right before commission payout?

I review these specific issues in every sales contract.

🐻 Why California Matters

California employment law is significantly more employee-friendly than most states. Key differences:

  • Non-competes are void - California Business & Professions Code § 16600 makes most non-compete agreements unenforceable
  • Stricter wage-hour rules - Meal breaks, rest breaks, and overtime requirements exceed federal law
  • IP assignment limits - Labor Code § 2870 protects inventions created on your own time
  • At-will exceptions - Implied contract and public policy exceptions apply

Your contract may contain provisions that look enforceable but aren't valid under California law. I flag these issues.

Common Red Flags I Look For
🚩
Overbroad IP Assignment
Clauses claiming ownership of anything you create, even outside work hours or unrelated to your job. California Labor Code § 2870 limits this.
High Risk
🚩
Hidden Non-Competes
Non-compete language buried in non-solicitation or confidentiality sections. These are generally unenforceable in California.
High Risk
⚠️
Mandatory Arbitration
Forced arbitration clauses that waive your right to sue or join class actions. May be unconscionable under California law.
Medium Risk
⚠️
Commission Clawbacks
Terms allowing the company to recover commissions already paid if a customer churns or you leave. Often unenforceable for earned wages.
Medium Risk
🚩
Choice of Law Tricks
Contracts stating Delaware or Texas law applies. If you work in California, California law typically governs regardless.
High Risk
⚠️
Vague Termination Terms
Unclear language about what happens to equity, bonuses, or commissions upon termination. These should be explicit.
Medium Risk
Hub Resources
📋
Contract Analyzer Tool
Interactive checklist to self-review your employment contract. Identify issues before your attorney review.
Use the tool →
🚩
Tech Employment Red Flags
Deep dive into issues specific to tech roles: equity cliffs, IP assignment, and startup-specific gotchas.
Read the guide →
📄
Offer Letter vs. Employment Agreement
Understand the difference and what should (and shouldn't) be in each document.
Learn more →
🤝
What to Negotiate
Common negotiation points for California employment contracts and how to approach them.
See the guide →
Related Resources on Terms.Law
🏠
CA Remote Employee Hub
Compliance resources for California remote workers and the companies that hire them.
Visit hub →
⚙️
Employment Agreement Generator
If you're an employer, generate compliant California employment agreements.
Use generator →
Employment Contract Review Packages
Clear pricing. Fast turnaround. California-focused analysis.
Standard Review
$175 flat fee
For straightforward offer letters and employment agreements
  • Full contract review
  • California law compliance check
  • Written summary (1-2 pages)
  • Key risk flags identified
  • Negotiation points highlighted
  • 3 business day turnaround
Most Popular
Priority Review
$275 flat fee
When you need answers fast
  • Everything in Standard
  • 24-hour turnaround
  • 15-min Q&A call included
  • Email follow-up for clarifications
  • Commission/bonus structure analysis
  • Equity terms review
Executive Package
$575 flat fee
For director-level and above
  • Everything in Priority
  • Comprehensive equity analysis
  • Severance terms review
  • Change of control provisions
  • $240 written attorney consultation
  • Redline suggestions provided
  • One revision round
Ready to Get Your Contract Reviewed?
Book a time or send your contract directly.

owner@terms.law

$240 Written Attorney Consultation

Related Resources

📋 Free Contract Risk Score: Check Your CA Tech Offer in 5 Minutes | 2026 Resource 📋 17 Contract Clauses That Could Cost You $100K+ | Tech Job Red Flags... Resource 📋 Offer Letter vs Employment Agreement: The Day 1 Trap Nobody Warns Y... Resource 📋 20-Point CSLB Audit: Is Your RMO Arrangement About to Get You Revok... Resource 📋 The $500K Mistake California RMOs Make on Every Contract | CSLB Com... Resource

Related on Terms.Law

Demand letter library →Wrongful termination hub →All practice areas →

Frequently asked questions

How do I get started on a California employment contract review matter with you?

Email me the facts and any supporting documents at owner@terms.law and I will reply with a flat-fee scope. Most matters start with a $240 Written Attorney Consultation, a $575 attorney demand letter, or a $1,200 demand-letter + draft-lawsuit package depending on complexity.

Do you take cases on contingency?

No. I work on flat fees so the cost is predictable and there is no percentage of recovery taken out of your settlement. The flat fee is paid up front by PayPal accept-proposal or invoice.

Do you handle cases outside California?

I am licensed in California (Bar #279869, since 2011). I handle California matters directly. For federal-law matters such as Title VII / ADA / EEOC, I can represent clients nationwide. For state-law claims outside California, I refer or co-counsel with a licensed local attorney.

How fast will you turn around the demand letter?

Most attorney demand letters go out within 5 to 7 business days of receiving complete facts and documents. Expedited turnaround (48 to 72 hours) is available for an additional fee. The $1,200 package with a draft lawsuit takes 10 to 14 business days.

What if the other side ignores the demand letter?

The $1,200 package includes a draft complaint that I can file with the court (or refer to a pro-se filing package at $1,250 if you prefer to file in propria persona). I do not litigate trials, but I prepare every document needed for settlement, arbitration, or pro-se filing in California Superior Court.