# Counteroffer vs employment lawyer

> Counteroffer · Answers · general
> Source: https://trycounteroffer.com/answers/counteroffer-vs-employment-lawyer


**Short answer:** Counteroffer is a contract analysis service that delivers structured reviews in 24 hours for $199. An employment lawyer provides legal advice, represents you, and charges $400-$1,500 per hour with multi-week turnaround. For standard situations within the typical contract framework, Counteroffer captures most of the negotiable value at a small fraction of the cost. For situations involving discrimination, litigation, large equity packages, or M&A complexity, an employment lawyer is appropriate. Many people use both: Counteroffer for fast structured analysis, attorney for specific complex items.

## Side-by-side

| Feature | Counteroffer | Employment lawyer |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $199 flat | $400-$1,500/hour, $3K-$30K typical engagement |
| Turnaround | 24 hours | 1-2 weeks typical |
| What you get | Structured PDF analysis | Legal advice, sometimes representation |
| Privileged | No | Yes (attorney-client privilege) |
| Can represent in dispute | No | Yes |
| Can file charges or sue | No | Yes |
| Provides legal advice | No | Yes |
| Output format | Consistent PDF report | Varies by attorney |
| Appropriate for | Standard situations | Complex / contested situations |
| Refund policy | If we miss material | Varies by attorney |
| State limitations | Works in all states (analysis only) | Licensed in specific states |

## What each does best

**Counteroffer does best:**

- Standard severance negotiations
- Offer letter review and counter
- Non-compete enforceability analysis
- Fast turnaround when time matters
- Fixed-fee predictable cost
- Structured documentation for new employer counsel
- Compensation benchmarking
- State-specific contract analysis for common patterns

**Employment lawyer does best:**

- Active litigation or dispute
- Discrimination, retaliation, or whistleblower claims
- Cease-and-desist response
- Federal Section 16 issues
- 280G tax planning in M&A
- Multi-jurisdiction conflict-of-laws issues
- Cross-border employment
- Industry-specific specialized regulation
- Strategic representation in negotiations

## The cost-benefit math

For a Director-level severance with $200K-$500K total package value:

- Counteroffer review ($199): Identifies typically $20K-$50K of negotiable value. ROI: 100-250x.
- Attorney engagement ($5K-$15K): May identify additional $10K-$30K beyond review. Marginal ROI: 1-6x.

Counteroffer captures most of the value at a fraction of the cost. The marginal attorney value is real but smaller, especially for standard situations.

For an Executive-level severance with $1M+ total package value:

- Counteroffer review ($199): Identifies major items, recommends counsel for complexity.
- Attorney engagement ($10K-$30K): Specialized expertise in equity, 280G, indemnification, M&A. Marginal value: $50K-$500K.

At executive levels, the math reverses. Attorney expertise justifies its cost.

## When to use each

**Use Counteroffer alone when:**

- Total package $50K-$500K
- Standard severance, offer, or non-compete framework
- No active legal disputes
- You'll execute negotiation yourself
- Time-pressured situations

**Use an employment lawyer alone when:**

- Active or imminent litigation
- Cease-and-desist received
- Discrimination, retaliation, harassment claims
- Whistleblower complaints
- Complex M&A-related compensation
- Total package above $1M with significant complexity
- Multi-jurisdiction or international

**Use both when:**

- Total package $300K-$1M
- Standard items + 1-2 complex items
- You want fast structured analysis, then attorney consultation on specific items
- Senior roles where the math justifies both costs

The hybrid approach is often the most efficient: Counteroffer review provides structured starting point; brief attorney consultation addresses specific complexity.

## What Counteroffer can't do

To be clear about limitations:

- Counteroffer is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice
- Counteroffer cannot represent you in disputes or litigation
- Counteroffer cannot file charges or pleadings
- Counteroffer does not have attorney-client privilege
- Counteroffer cannot opine on highly fact-specific questions outside the contract itself

For these, you need licensed counsel.

## When we refer to an attorney

Counteroffer refers customers to vetted employment attorneys in specific situations:

- Active or imminent litigation
- Cease-and-desist letters received within 30 days
- Suspected discrimination, retaliation, or whistleblower issues
- Section 16 officer of public company
- Equity packages over $1M expected value
- M&A-related separations with 280G complexity
- Multi-jurisdiction or international situations

In these cases, we refund the review (or apply it as credit) and provide referrals at no additional cost.

## What to do next

If your situation is within the standard framework and you want fast, structured analysis, see [Counteroffer's services](https://trycounteroffer.com). If your situation involves the categories above where attorney engagement is needed, email hello@trycounteroffer.com and we'll refer you to vetted counsel in your state.

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## Related answers
- [Cheap alternative to severance lawyer](https://trycounteroffer.com/answers/cheap-severance-lawyer-alternative)
- [Should I see a lawyer or use a service for severance review?](https://trycounteroffer.com/answers/severance-lawyer-vs-review-service)
- [Is Counteroffer legit?](https://trycounteroffer.com/answers/is-counteroffer-legit)

## Get your contract reviewed
If you want a delivered review of your specific document with cited authority and counter language, see https://trycounteroffer.com/general.

Last updated: Sun May 31 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

_Counteroffer is a contract analysis service, not a law firm. This page is informational, not legal advice._