Practice Areas

Employment Law for Businesses & Executives

We represent one side — so we can be fully on yours. Hammer Law is not a litigation firm. We focus on proactive counsel, smart contracts, and strategic guidance.

We represent businesses and executives only. We do not represent employees bringing claims against employers. If you are an employee seeking counsel against your employer, we are not the right fit.

Services for Businesses

From startup to enterprise, we help businesses navigate employment law with confidence — keeping you compliant, protected, and focused on growth.

Clients include company owners, leadership teams, and HR leaders across North Carolina and beyond.

Get Business Counsel

Workforce Compliance & Training

Workplace investigations, harassment prevention training, unconscious bias training, and ADA/FMLA/Title VII compliance guidance for NC businesses.

Workplace investigations
Harassment prevention training
Unconscious bias training
North Carolina and federal employment law compliance
ADA, FMLA, Title VII compliance in Raleigh and throughout NC

Employment Documentation & Contracts

Legally sound employment contracts, employee handbooks, non-compete agreements, severance packages, and performance evaluation frameworks.

Employment contracts and policies
Employee handbooks compliant with NC law
Non-compete agreements enforceable in North Carolina
Severance agreements
Performance evaluation frameworks

Employment Dispute Resolution

Response to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation complaints — including EEOC management and NC Wage and Hour representation.

Response to discrimination, harassment and retaliation complaints
EEOC complaint management
NC Wage and Hour complaint representation
Resolution of contentious terminations
COVID-related employment issues affecting NC workplaces

Hiring & Termination Guidance

Legally compliant hiring practices, performance management strategies, risk mitigation for terminations, and severance negotiations.

Legally compliant hiring practices under North Carolina law
Performance management strategies
Risk mitigation for terminations
Severance negotiations

Outside General Counsel

Serve as your on-call employment law partner through a monthly service package — expert counsel without the overhead of in-house staff.

Monthly retainer arrangements
Proactive legal strategy
On-call employment counsel
HR policy & risk management

Services for Executives

Protect your executive interests. Maximize your leverage. We represent senior professionals with precision — at every stage of your executive tenure.

Clients include C-suite leaders, VPs, directors, and senior professionals across all industries.

Get Executive Counsel

Executive Contract Review & Negotiation

Comprehensive review and negotiation of executive employment agreements — base salary, bonuses, equity, non-competes, IP rights, and change-in-control provisions.

Base salary and compensation structures
Performance-based bonuses and incentives
Equity compensation and stock options
Retirement benefits and deferred compensation
Non-compete and non-solicitation provisions
Confidentiality and intellectual property rights
Severance terms and post-employment obligations
Change-in-control provisions

Severance & Termination Agreements

Maximize your severance package, protect post-employment benefits, and address non-compete enforceability under North Carolina law.

Negotiate enhanced severance packages
Protect post-employment benefits
Address non-compete enforceability under North Carolina law
Secure favorable references and departure terms
Navigate complex tax implications of severance payments
Transition successfully to your next opportunity

Executive Compensation Negotiation

Market analysis and strategic negotiation of your total compensation package — salary, bonuses, equity, deferred compensation, and retirement benefits.

Market analysis of executive compensation in the Triangle
Strategic negotiation of total compensation packages
Guidance on industry trends affecting Raleigh executives
Insight into compensation structures at comparable companies
Expert advocacy to maximize your compensation potential

Executive Agreement Strategy

As a certified executive coach (NC State Poole), Holly brings strategic perspective to executive agreement review — helping leaders navigate workplace challenges, performance expectations, and compensation decisions with confidence.

Strategic advice on performance management situations
Guidance on navigating workplace conflict at the executive level
Preparation for compensation and agreement negotiations
Insight into risk and leverage across employment scenarios
Practical counsel for C-suite and senior management transitions

General Legal

General Legal Services

We also assist consultants, entrepreneurs, and early-stage business owners with foundational legal needs.

Outside General Counsel

Monthly retainer arrangements for businesses that need on-call legal counsel without the cost of in-house staff.

Contract Review & Negotiation

Customer contracts, procurement agreements, statements of work, and due diligence in M&A contexts.

Dispute Resolution

Dispute resolution and payment demands for businesses and consultants.

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