We recently represented a senior engineer in a high‑stakes equity dispute involving an attempted clawback of vested shares. With 7 days left before a $10M merger, our client was facing a complete equity forfeiture based on a pretextual termination, retroactively altered vesting dates, and an unenforceable performance condition. 

By reconstructing the original contractual record and establishing ratification through the company’s post‑termination conduct, we dismantled the company’s claim’s regarding supposed repurchase rights. Escalating the matter directly to the board, we prepared deal‑threatening litigation filings in advance, and offered a conditional deferral subject to formal recognition of our client’s equity rights prior to closing — or jeopardize the $10M merger.

Our approach shifted the company from total denial to rapid settlement escalation offering first to resolve the matter for $500,000 and ultimately the issuance of one million shares ( or $1.14 million cash payout at closing)—transforming a zero‑value termination into a 411% equity recovery).  And did I mention this was achieved in 7 days?