Skip to content
PenningtonEmployment Law

Services

What I can help with, and what it costs.

Every service has a fixed fee or a fixed price for each stage. If your situation isn’t listed, book a free call and I’ll tell you honestly whether I’m the right person.

8 services shown

  • Leaving a job

    Severance agreement review

    Your employer wants you to sign an agreement ending your employment, or settling a dispute, in return for a payment. Once you sign, you’ve usually given up the right to sue, so it’s worth having an attorney read it first.

    What’s included

    • Every clause explained on a call, in plain English
    • Check of the payment, notice pay, vacation pay and tax treatment
    • Changes to the reference, announcement and confidentiality wording where needed
    • A final read of the revised agreement before you sign
    Typical timeline
    2–5 business days
    Fee
    $750 Fixed. Some employers will contribute.
    Book a free call Estimate this fee
  • Leaving a job

    Layoff check

    You’ve been told your job is at risk, or you’ve been selected for a layoff. I’ll check whether the process looks lawful and the money looks right, while there’s still time to influence it.

    What’s included

    • Review of the layoff notice and selection criteria
    • Severance, notice and vacation pay calculations checked
    • Advice on other open roles and on raising concerns
    • Talking points for your next meeting with HR
    Typical timeline
    1–2 weeks
    Fee
    $495 Fixed.
    Book a free call Estimate this fee
  • Leaving a job

    Exit negotiation

    Things have broken down and you want to leave on fair terms. I’ll assess your position and negotiate with your employer, or its attorneys, for a settlement.

    What’s included

    • An honest view of the strength of your position
    • A confidential settlement proposal drafted and sent
    • Negotiation with your employer or its attorneys
    • The final severance agreement reviewed and signed off
    Typical timeline
    2–6 weeks
    Fee
    $1,500–$6,500 Fixed for each stage before it starts.
    Book a free call Estimate this fee
  • Problems at work

    HR complaint and disciplinary support

    You want to raise a formal complaint, or you’ve been invited to a disciplinary or investigation meeting. I work behind the scenes so you go in prepared.

    What’s included

    • Help writing your complaint, or responding to allegations
    • Preparation for the meeting, including likely questions
    • A review of the outcome letter and your options
    • An appeal letter drafted if you need one
    Typical timeline
    1–3 weeks
    Fee
    $595–$2,500 Fixed once we know what’s involved.
    Book a free call Estimate this fee
  • Problems at work

    Discrimination and harassment advice

    You’re being treated badly because of a protected trait, such as disability, pregnancy, race, sex or age, or you’re being harassed. Time limits apply, so early advice matters.

    What’s included

    • Which type of discrimination this may be, explained simply
    • An evidence checklist and a timeline of events
    • A time-limit check for any claim
    • Your options: an HR complaint, negotiation, an EEOC charge or a lawsuit
    Typical timeline
    Initial advice within a week
    Fee
    $750 Fixed for the initial advice.
    Book a free call Estimate this fee
  • Claims and disputes

    Wrongful termination and constructive discharge

    You’ve been fired and think it was illegal, or you feel you were forced to resign. I’ll tell you whether you’re likely to have a claim and what it could be worth.

    What’s included

    • Whether at-will employment applies, and any exceptions
    • A realistic range for what a claim might be worth
    • Time limits and EEOC charges explained
    • An appeal letter or a response to your employer
    Typical timeline
    Advice within 5 business days
    Fee
    $595 Fixed for the initial advice.
    Book a free call Estimate this fee
  • Claims and disputes

    Employment lawsuits

    When negotiation hasn’t worked and you want to take a claim forward. I fix the fee for each stage, so you can decide one step at a time.

    What’s included

    • Your EEOC or Ohio Civil Rights Commission charge, start to finish
    • Your complaint drafted and filed in court
    • Discovery, depositions and settlement talks
    • Preparation for trial, with co-counsel where needed
    Typical timeline
    Often 18–30 months to trial
    Fee
    From $1,250 For each fixed-fee stage.
    Book a free call Estimate this fee
  • Starting a new job

    Contract and restrictive covenant review

    You’ve been offered a new job, or a new contract, and want to know what you’re agreeing to before you sign, especially any non-compete clauses.

    What’s included

    • Review of the contract and key policies
    • Notice, pay, bonus, sick pay and IP terms explained
    • Restrictive covenants and non-competes assessed
    • Changes you could reasonably ask for
    Typical timeline
    2–3 business days
    Fee
    $395 Fixed.
    Book a free call Estimate this fee

No sales tax is added to my fees. Ranges are fixed in writing once I know the details. Descriptions are general information about what each service involves, not legal advice about your situation.

Free, no obligation

Not sure where you stand? Let’s talk it through.

A 15-minute call with me, Tessa. You’ll hang up knowing your options, any deadlines to watch and what help would cost.

Book a free 15-minute call Check your options first
PenningtonEmployment Law

Plain-English employment law advice for employees and senior staff, from Tessa Pennington, an independent attorney in Dayton. Fixed fees, agreed before any work starts.

Book a free 15-minute call

Get in touch

General information, not legal advice. The guides, checker and fee estimates on this website are general information about employment law in Ohio and under federal law. They are not legal advice about your situation, and no attorney–client relationship exists until we have both signed an engagement letter. Every case is different and no outcome can be guaranteed.

Tessa Pennington is an attorney licensed in Ohio, practicing as Pennington Employment Law. Attorney registration no. 0000000 (placeholder). Professional liability insurance details are available on request.

© 2026 Pennington Employment Law. A fictional practice for a website template.

Back to top