FWIW been using some AI assistants for a project and couldn’t resist asking one your question:
Got it—you’re looking for an employment attorney in Denver to review a severance agreement. I’ll focus on that and give you some solid options based on their expertise in this area.
Steven L. Murray from Murray Law LLC could be a great fit. He’s got over 25 years of experience in employment law and spent time as a senior trial attorney with the EEOC, so he knows severance agreements inside out—especially the tricky clauses like non-competes or releases of claims. He’s based in Denver and has a reputation for being thorough and aggressive when it counts.
Another strong choice is Rachel Ellis at Livelihood Law LLC. She’s a Denver-based attorney who specializes in representing employees, including reviewing and negotiating severance agreements. Her firm’s website highlights their work on severance packages, and she’s active in the Colorado Plaintiffs Employment Lawyers Association, which means she’s plugged into the latest employment law trends. She’s known for clear communication, which could help you understand what you’re signing.
If you want someone with a knack for spotting red flags in complex agreements, Justin M. Plaskov at Colorado Employee Advocates might be your guy. His firm focuses on employee rights and explicitly offers severance agreement reviews. They’re Denver-based and emphasize practical advice, so you’d likely get a straightforward breakdown of your deal—whether it’s fair or needs negotiating.
For a more boutique approach, Patricia S. Bellac at the Patricia S. Bellac Law Firm (based in Boulder, but serving the Denver area) is worth considering. She represents both employees and employers on severance matters, giving her a dual perspective that could help her spot issues others might miss. Her site mentions personalized counsel and free consultations, which could be a low-pressure way to start.
Since it’s a severance agreement, you’ll want someone who can check for things like inadequate compensation, overly broad releases, or restrictive covenants that could limit your next job. Any of these attorneys could do that, but it’d help to know specifics—like how long you worked there or why you’re leaving—to pick the best match. Want to share more details so I can refine this further? Either way, I’d suggest reaching out for a consultation (most offer them free) and sending them the agreement ahead of time.
For your question on cost:
Estimating the cost for an employment attorney in Denver to review a ten-page severance agreement depends on a few factors, like the attorney’s billing structure, experience level, and the complexity of your specific situation. I’ll break it down based on typical practices and give you a realistic range.
Most employment attorneys charge either an hourly rate or a flat fee for severance reviews. In Denver, hourly rates for experienced employment lawyers generally range from $250 to $500, depending on their expertise and reputation. For a straightforward review of a ten-page agreement, it might take 1-3 hours, assuming no major red flags need deep analysis. That puts the cost at $250 to $1,500 if billed hourly. A seasoned attorney like Steven Murray or Rachel Ellis might lean toward the higher end, while someone less specialized could be closer to the lower end.
Flat fees are common for this kind of work because it’s a defined task. Based on what’s typical in the industry and considering Denver’s market, a flat fee for reviewing a ten-page severance agreement usually falls between $500 and $1,000. Some firms, like Colorado Employee Advocates, might offer a lower flat rate (say, $500) for a basic review, while others with more niche expertise, like Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC, might charge closer to $1,000 if they anticipate potential negotiations or complex clauses. A few attorneys might even go as low as $300-$400 for a quick look, but that’s less common with a document this length.
The ten-page length suggests it’s not a bare-bones agreement—standard ones are often 3-5 pages—so it might include extras like non-compete clauses, confidentiality terms, or detailed releases that take more time to unpack. If there’s anything unusual (like a broad non-compete or signs of discrimination in your exit), the attorney might need extra time, pushing costs toward the higher end or beyond if you want them to negotiate changes.
For context, I checked what’s out there: some firms nationwide advertise flat fees for severance reviews at $700 (e.g., Severance Lawyers), but Denver’s cost of living and legal market might nudge that up slightly. Others quote $250 per hour with a 1-2 hour estimate, aligning with my range. Your specific case matters too—if you just want a review and no follow-up, you’re likely on the lower end; if you want them to push back on terms, it’ll cost more.
So, for a ten-page severance agreement in Denver, I’d estimate $500 to $1,000 for a thorough review by a competent attorney. To get a precise number, I’d suggest calling a few—like Murray Law, Livelihood Law, or Colorado Employee Advocates—and asking for their flat rate or hourly estimate. Most offer free initial consults, so you can send the agreement and get a quote without upfront cost. What’s your timeline for signing it? That might affect whether you need a rush job, which could bump the price.