Handle These With CareDo-it-Yourself Release Agreements Spawn New Litigation

Employers increasingly use release agreements to avoid litigation with terminated employees. But the use of "do-it-yourself" releases, created without legal review, has spawned new litigation. In some noteworthy cases, releases used by large, multinational corporations have been declared invalid and unenforceable.

While this article highlights pitfalls based on recent cases, it is not a complete guide to release drafting. Because laws change and each situation is different, it is wise to have counsel review documents.

This article appeared in the May 15, 2007 issue of The Kansas City Star.