By Anthony I. Shin, Esq. | Employment Litigations & Transactions Attorneys | Shin Law Office
Employment Contracts Gone Wrong in Fairfax? Here’s How I Help Fix the Damage
Most business owners sign employment contracts, thinking they’ll provide protection.
In theory, they’re supposed to. However, the truth is that I receive calls from Fairfax employers all the time after something has already gone wrong.
Maybe it’s a former employee threatening to sue.
Or a manager who left with sensitive information.
Or a vague clause that suddenly gets twisted and used against the business.
By then, it’s no longer about the contract.
It’s about damage control.
Here’s Where Things Usually Go Off the Rails
Most of the contract problems I deal with fall into a few familiar patterns:
- Unclear job roles – The employee expected something different than what was delivered.
- Overreaching non-competes – If they’re too broad, they won’t hold up in court.
- No real exit process – Leads to claims of unfair treatment, retaliation, or unpaid wages.
- No mention of confidentiality or ownership of company data – That becomes a problem when someone walks out with it.
- Cut-and-paste contracts – What worked for someone else may not work for your company.
The worst part?
These issues usually don’t show up until tension has already developed.
And by that point, you’re stuck trying to enforce a contract that doesn’t protect you.
What I Do to Help
When I step in, my job is to determine what’s salvageable, reduce your risk, and ensure you don’t find yourself in this situation again.
That often includes:
- Reviewing the contract to see where it stands under Virginia law
- Looking at how expectations were set—emails, messages, and prior discussions
- Helping you negotiate an exit that keeps things from escalating
- Drafting new agreements that fit your business and stand up in court
Sometimes I’ll tell you straight—it’s enforceable.
Other times, I’ll be just as direct and say, “This won’t hold up.”
Either way, I’ll give you a plan to move forward.
Don’t Wait Until You’re in the Middle of a Fight
If you’re not confident in your current contracts or if one’s already backfiring, now’s the time to deal with it.
You don’t need a 20-page legal document loaded with boilerplate.
You need something clear, enforceable, and tailored to how your business operates.
Let’s review what you’ve got.
One short meeting now could save you a lawsuit, a settlement, or worse down the road.
— Anthony I. Shin, Esq.
Principal Attorney | Shin Law Office
Call 571-445-6565 or book a consultation online today.
