When should I get legal review of an employment agreement?

Written employment agreements are common in many industries and for senior management.  At the beginning of an employment relationship, no one plans for how or when it will end.  But employment agreements are contracts, and like any contract that deals with a substantial transaction - and the employment relationship is such a transaction - effort spent on the front end to understand your rights and obligations both during and at the conclusion of the relationship is often effort well undertaken.  Parties to a contract should consider up front what happens when the relationship sours, and waiting until then to understand the effect of the contract's provisions is too late. 

Once a dispute arises, you should seek legal advice to understand your options, potential claims, potential liabilities, and how the contract requires the dispute will be resolved.