Severance Agreement Lawyer Fees in New York City
Severance agreement lawyer fees in New York City, New York average about $1,350 — roughly 113% of the U.S. average and below the New York state average of $1,500.
What this typically includes
Reading the agreement and every attachment — the OWBPA disclosure list in a group layoff, the equity and bonus plan documents, and any confidentiality or non-compete agreement you signed at hire — a plain-language explanation of what the release gives up, a valuation of the offer against your service, the market, and any claims you hold, and a written or verbal list of the terms worth asking to change. Drafting a counter-proposal, corresponding with the employer on your behalf, and negotiating a revised agreement are normally priced separately or billed hourly.
New York has one of the stronger fair-employment statutes in the country — typically reaching employers below the federal 15-employee threshold, adding protected classes, and allowing higher or uncapped damages plus attorney-fee awards. That matters in a severance negotiation because the package is the price of releasing those claims, so the claims you would give up here are generally worth more than federal law alone would make them.
Severance lawyers in New York charge a flat fee to review an offer (commonly $500–$1,500) and bill hourly ($250–$500) to negotiate; rates track the local market. Because New York’s own statute can reach further than federal law, the claims you would be releasing may be worth more here — and New York may add its own mini-WARN notice requirements, limits on confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses, and non-compete rules on top. Confirm the current statute, filing deadlines, and any state consideration or rescission period locally.
Get in touch with a severance agreement lawyer in New York City
Browse these severance agreement attorneys serving New York City. Give a call or request an estimate and connect with local firm that fits your case.
We’re still adding severance agreement attorneys in New York City. Request a case evaluation and we’ll connect you with a vetted local firm.
Get a case evaluation
Step ofAnswer a few quick questions about your severance agreement case in New York City and we’ll connect you with a vetted local attorney.
About New York City, NY
With a cost-of-living index of 113% of the U.S. average and a median household income of $76,607, severance agreement attorney fees in New York City typically run 13% higher than the national norm. The New York City area supports roughly 13,874 law firms, so there is real local competition for your case.
How New York City compares
Average severance agreement lawyer fees, New York City vs. New York vs. the U.S.
New York City sits about 13% higher than the national average for severance agreement lawyer fees.
What affects severance agreement lawyer fees in New York City
In New York City, the cost of living runs 113% of the U.S. average and the median household income is $76,607 — both of which influence what local attorneys charge. Beyond location, these factors drive severance agreement lawyer fees:
- Review or negotiation — Explaining the agreement is a flat fee; pushing back on the employer is open-ended and hourly.
- Strength of the claims released — A documented discrimination or retaliation claim changes both the leverage and the work involved.
- Package size and complexity — Equity, bonuses, deferred compensation, and Section 409A timing turn a short review into an executive engagement.
- Whether the lawyer goes on record — Coaching you from behind the scenes costs less than a letter on firm letterhead, which escalates the matter.
- Deadline pressure — A package that must be signed in days rather than the full 21 carries a rush premium.
- Jurisdiction — State fair-employment law, mini-WARN statutes, NDA restrictions, and non-compete rules vary and shape the review.
How to choose a severance agreement lawyer in New York City
Fees matter, but the right severance agreement attorney in New York City also protects both your time and your result. Before you hire:
- Confirm the fee structure. Severance agreement matters are usually a flat fee — one agreed price for the work. Get it in writing before you sign — our flat fees guide explains exactly what to look for.
- Look for severance agreement experience. Choose an attorney who regularly handles severance agreement cases in New York, not a generalist.
- Use the free consultation. Most New York City severance agreement attorneys review your case at no cost — use it to compare two or three.
- Verify licensing. Confirm the attorney is licensed and in good standing with the New York state bar.
- Clarify what's included. Ask which case costs are separate from the fee and how they are billed — see attorney fees vs. case costs.
Need help with your severance agreement case?
Average attorney fees in New York City by case type
National benchmarks adjusted by New York City's cost-of-living index (113). Open a case type for its full New York City fee breakdown.
| Case type | How it’s billed | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car Accidents | Contingency | $2,250 | $6,750 | $16,900 |
| Divorce | Flat fee | $2,250 | $8,450 | $22,500 |
| Real Estate | Flat fee | $900 | $1,700 | $3,950 |
| Personal Injury | Contingency | $3,400 | $11,250 | $33,750 |
| Bankruptcy | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,250 | $5,050 |
| Criminal Defense | Flat fee | $1,700 | $5,650 | $16,900 |
| Immigration | Flat fee | $560 | $3,950 | $16,900 |
| Disability | Contingency | $2,250 | $4,500 | $10,350 |
| Probate | Flat fee | $1,700 | $5,050 | $16,900 |
| Truck Accident | Contingency | $5,650 | $18,000 | $56,300 |
| Motorcycle Accident | Contingency | $3,400 | $10,150 | $33,750 |
| Bicycle Accident | Contingency | $2,800 | $9,000 | $28,150 |
| Uber Accident | Contingency | $3,400 | $10,150 | $37,150 |
| Property Damage | Contingency | $1,700 | $6,750 | $22,500 |
| Dog Attack Injury | Contingency | $3,400 | $11,250 | $33,750 |
| Insurance Claim | Contingency | $2,250 | $8,450 | $28,150 |
| Wrongful Death | Contingency | $16,900 | $67,550 | $281,400 |
| Uncontested Divorce | Flat fee | $560 | $1,350 | $2,800 |
| Family Law | Hourly | $1,700 | $7,900 | $22,500 |
| Child Custody | Hourly | $2,250 | $9,000 | $28,150 |
| Adoption | Flat fee | $1,700 | $5,650 | $16,900 |
| Prenuptial Agreement | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,800 | $8,450 |
| Child Support | Hourly | $1,150 | $3,950 | $11,250 |
| Domestic Violence | Flat fee | $1,700 | $4,500 | $13,500 |
| Restraining Order | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,800 | $8,450 |
| Guardianship | Flat fee | $1,700 | $4,500 | $13,500 |
| Surrogacy | Flat fee | $3,950 | $9,000 | $16,900 |
| Power of Attorney | Flat fee | $230 | $450 | $1,150 |
| Estate Planning | Flat fee | $560 | $2,250 | $5,650 |
| Living Trust | Flat fee | $1,350 | $2,800 | $5,650 |
| Elder Law | Hourly | $1,700 | $5,650 | $13,500 |
| Will | Flat fee | $170 | $450 | $1,150 |
| Defense | Flat fee | $1,700 | $5,650 | $16,900 |
| DUI | Flat fee | $1,700 | $4,500 | $11,250 |
| Pardon | Flat fee | $1,700 | $5,650 | $16,900 |
| Expungement | Flat fee | $560 | $1,700 | $4,500 |
| Juvenile | Flat fee | $1,700 | $3,950 | $11,250 |
| Felony Defense | Flat fee | $3,950 | $11,250 | $33,750 |
| Clemency | Flat fee | $2,250 | $6,750 | $16,900 |
| Probation Violation | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,800 | $8,450 |
| Misdemeanor | Flat fee | $840 | $1,700 | $3,950 |
| Security Clearance | Flat fee | $2,800 | $8,450 | $22,500 |
| Discharge Upgrade | Flat fee | $1,700 | $4,500 | $11,250 |
| H-1B Visa | Flat fee | $2,250 | $3,950 | $6,750 |
| Green Card | Flat fee | $2,250 | $4,500 | $9,000 |
| Citizenship | Flat fee | $560 | $1,150 | $2,800 |
| EB-2 NIW | Flat fee | $4,500 | $7,900 | $13,500 |
| K-1 Visa | Flat fee | $1,700 | $2,800 | $4,500 |
| E-2 Visa | Flat fee | $3,950 | $6,750 | $11,250 |
| Deportation | Hourly | $3,400 | $9,000 | $22,500 |
| O-1 Visa | Flat fee | $3,950 | $6,750 | $11,250 |
| Closing | Flat fee | $790 | $1,350 | $2,800 |
| House Purchase | Flat fee | $900 | $1,450 | $2,800 |
| Eviction | Flat fee | $560 | $1,350 | $3,400 |
| Property Tax Appeal | Contingency | $170 | $560 | $2,250 |
| Foreclosure | Flat fee | $1,700 | $3,950 | $8,450 |
| HOA | Hourly | $1,700 | $4,500 | $11,250 |
| Tenant | Hourly | $1,150 | $2,800 | $6,750 |
| Chapter 7 | Flat fee | $1,150 | $1,700 | $2,800 |
| Chapter 13 | Flat fee | $3,400 | $4,500 | $6,750 |
| Personal Loan | Hourly | $560 | $2,250 | $5,650 |
| Debt Settlement | Contingency | $1,150 | $3,400 | $9,000 |
| SSDI | Contingency | $2,250 | $4,500 | $10,350 |
| Social Security | Contingency | $2,250 | $4,500 | $10,350 |
| VA Disability | Contingency | $1,700 | $5,650 | $16,900 |
| Long-Term Disability | Contingency | $2,800 | $9,000 | $28,150 |
| Traffic Ticket | Flat fee | $110 | $340 | $840 |
| Speeding Ticket | Flat fee | $110 | $340 | $840 |
| Traffic Violation | Flat fee | $110 | $340 | $840 |
| Reckless Driving | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,800 | $5,650 |
| Suspended License | Flat fee | $840 | $1,950 | $3,400 |
| Patent | Flat fee | $5,650 | $11,250 | $20,250 |
| Trademark | Flat fee | $680 | $1,350 | $2,800 |
| Workers Compensation | Contingency | $1,700 | $4,500 | $11,250 |
| Small Claims | Flat fee | $110 | $560 | $1,700 |
| Civil Lawsuit | Hourly | $3,400 | $16,900 | $56,300 |
| Consumer Protection | Contingency | $2,250 | $5,650 | $16,900 |
| Lemon Law | Contingency | $2,250 | $5,650 | $16,900 |
| Defamation | Hourly | $5,650 | $16,900 | $56,300 |
| Employment | Contingency | $2,800 | $11,250 | $45,000 |
| Discrimination | Contingency | $3,400 | $13,500 | $50,650 |
| Wrongful Termination | Contingency | $3,400 | $13,500 | $50,650 |
| Whistleblower | Contingency | $5,650 | $22,500 | $112,550 |
| Tax | Hourly | $1,700 | $5,650 | $16,900 |
| Business | Hourly | $1,700 | $6,750 | $28,150 |
| Medical Malpractice | Contingency | $28,150 | $112,550 | $393,950 |
| SSI | Contingency | $1,150 | $3,400 | $10,350 |
| Asylum | Flat fee | $3,400 | $6,750 | $16,900 |
| Marriage Green Card | Flat fee | $1,700 | $3,400 | $8,450 |
| Slip and Fall | Contingency | $4,500 | $13,500 | $45,000 |
| Mesothelioma | Contingency | $56,300 | $393,950 | $1,125,600 |
| Product Liability | Contingency | $16,900 | $67,550 | $281,400 |
| Breach of Contract | Hourly | $3,400 | $22,500 | $84,400 |
| Federal Criminal Defense | Flat fee | $11,250 | $39,400 | $168,850 |
| Assault | Flat fee | $1,700 | $4,500 | $16,900 |
| Contract Review | Flat fee | $340 | $900 | $3,400 |
| Landlord | Hourly | $840 | $3,400 | $16,900 |
| Contested Divorce | Hourly | $11,250 | $22,500 | $56,300 |
| Drug Possession | Flat fee | $1,700 | $4,500 | $16,900 |
| Theft | Flat fee | $1,150 | $3,950 | $13,500 |
| House Sale | Flat fee | $900 | $1,600 | $2,800 |
| Pedestrian Accident | Contingency | $3,950 | $13,500 | $45,000 |
| Nursing Home Abuse | Contingency | $16,900 | $67,550 | $225,100 |
| Sexual Harassment | Contingency | $5,650 | $20,250 | $84,400 |
| Unpaid Wages | Contingency | $2,250 | $9,000 | $39,400 |
| Alimony | Hourly | $3,400 | $10,150 | $28,150 |
| Tax Debt Relief | Flat fee | $1,150 | $3,950 | $11,250 |
| Severance Agreement | Flat fee | $560 | $1,350 | $5,650 |
| Divorce Mediation | Hourly | $2,800 | $6,200 | $13,500 |
| LLC Formation | Flat fee | $560 | $1,350 | $2,800 |
| Debt Collection Defense | Flat fee | $560 | $1,700 | $5,650 |
| Medicaid Planning | Flat fee | $3,400 | $7,300 | $16,900 |
| Rideshare Accident | Contingency | $3,400 | $10,150 | $37,150 |
| Construction Accident | Contingency | $13,500 | $56,300 | $225,100 |
| Business Litigation | Hourly | $16,900 | $67,550 | $281,400 |
| Bus Accident | Contingency | $4,500 | $13,500 | $50,650 |
| Drunk Driving Accident | Contingency | $4,500 | $16,900 | $67,550 |
| Auto Dealer Fraud | Contingency | $2,800 | $8,450 | $28,150 |
| Police Misconduct | Contingency | $9,000 | $45,000 | $281,400 |
| Annulment | Flat fee | $1,150 | $3,400 | $11,250 |
| Sexual Abuse | Contingency | $22,500 | $95,700 | $450,250 |
| Bad Faith Insurance | Contingency | $9,000 | $33,750 | $140,700 |
| Non-Compete Agreement | Flat fee | $560 | $2,800 | $56,300 |
| Life Insurance Denial | Contingency | $9,000 | $56,300 | $225,100 |
| Hostile Work Environment | Contingency | $4,500 | $16,900 | $73,150 |
| Age Discrimination | Contingency | $5,650 | $22,500 | $95,700 |
| Brain Injury | Contingency | $22,500 | $129,450 | $562,800 |
| Construction Defect | Hourly | $9,000 | $50,650 | $225,100 |
| Visitation | Hourly | $1,700 | $5,650 | $22,500 |
| Birth Injury | Contingency | $112,550 | $506,500 | $1,688,400 |
| White Collar Crime | Hourly | $16,900 | $84,400 | $450,250 |
| CPS Defense | Hourly | $2,800 | $8,450 | $28,150 |
| Gun Charges | Flat fee | $1,700 | $6,750 | $84,400 |
| Name Change | Flat fee | $340 | $840 | $2,800 |
| IRS Audit | Hourly | $1,150 | $5,050 | $22,500 |
| Chapter 11 | Hourly | $28,150 | $84,400 | $450,250 |
| F-1 Student Visa | Flat fee | $840 | $2,050 | $5,650 |
Severance agreement lawyer fees in other New York cities
Compare local severance agreement attorney fees across New York.
FAQs - Severance agreement attorney fees in New York City
Severance agreement lawyer fees in New York City average about $1,350, with a typical range of $560 to $5,650. That is roughly 113% of the U.S. average, adjusted for the local cost of living.
New York City's cost-of-living index is about 113% of the national average, so severance agreement attorney fees here tend to run 13% higher than the U.S. norm.
The figures here are local averages. For a number tied to your specific situation, request a free match with a severance agreement attorney in New York City, or enter your ZIP code for a more precise estimate.
We take the national benchmark for severance agreement cases and adjust it by New York City's cost-of-living index — about 113% of the U.S. average — giving a local Low, Average, and High of $560, $1,350, and $5,650.
New York City averages about $1,350 for severance agreement lawyer fees, compared with roughly $1,500 across New York and $1,200 nationally.
Many severance agreement attorneys in New York City offer a free initial consultation to review your case before you commit. Check each firm's listing above for details.
Look for a New York City attorney who regularly handles severance agreement cases, check reviews and their standing with the New York state bar, and use free consultations to compare a few before you decide.
Attorney fees pay for the lawyer's time and skill, while case costs are separate out-of-pocket expenses such as filing fees, records, and expert witnesses. In a New York City severance agreement matter, always confirm how the costs are handled alongside the fee.
In New York City, severance agreement lawyer fees are typically paid as a single flat fee agreed up front. Case costs are usually billed separately from the fee.
For most severance agreement matters, yes — the right attorney can improve your outcome by more than the fee, and many work on terms that limit your risk. Use a free New York City consultation to weigh it for your situation.
ZIP codes covered
These New York City severance agreement fee estimates cover ZIP codes 10282, 10000, 10030, 10010, 10002, 10004, 10016.
Last updated Sep 29, 2026 · Fee figures are local averages for informational purposes only and are not legal advice or a quote. See how we estimate fees.