California executive employment attorney office

executive employment counsel

California executive employment counsel for the decisions that define your career

We guide executives through employment negotiations, severance situations, equity decisions, and restrictive covenants—providing the same caliber of counsel the company has on its side of the table.

Former Am Law 75 LawyerFormer Mintz attorney

Deep California ExpertiseEmployment law is all we do

Both Sides of the TableWe draft these agreements for companies too

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(858) 434-7791 Confidential · No obligation

how we help

Every clause was drafted to protect the company.
We help you negotiate from strength.

Whether you’re evaluating a new opportunity, navigating a separation, or protecting what you’ve built—we bring the strategic perspective that comes from drafting these same agreements for the other side.

Severance & Separation

A severance offer is the start of a negotiation, not the end of one. We advise on the full picture—financial terms, equity treatment, release scope, non-disparagement, and the practical realities of what comes next.

Navigate your separation →

Non-Competes & Restrictive Covenants

Non-competes, non-solicits, and confidentiality clauses can quietly constrain your next move. California’s protections are strong, but the details matter. We help you understand what’s enforceable and plan accordingly.

Review your covenants →

Negotiating a New Offer

We counsel executives through the full arc of a new opportunity—from evaluating the offer against market benchmarks to negotiating equity, compensation, and the restrictive covenants that follow you if you leave.

Discuss your offer →

Executive Disputes

When companies terminate executives for pretextual reasons—to avoid severance, forfeit equity, or sidestep accountability—the characterization of the termination determines everything. We challenge it.

Protect your rights →

the difference

We know what’s in your agreement because we write them for companies

Founded by Mike Flesuras, Grey Ocean is a California employment law boutique built on a simple insight: the best advocate for an executive is a lawyer who has drafted these agreements for the companies themselves. That experience—understanding what the company intended, where there’s flexibility, and what actually gets enforced—is what we bring to every engagement.

why grey ocean

Built different because we think different

Our perspective comes from drafting these agreements for companies. That insight changes everything when we advocate for you.

Employer-Side Expertise

We draft employment agreements and separation terms for companies. That means we understand exactly what the other side intended—and where there’s room to negotiate a better outcome for you.

Deep California Knowledge

California’s employment laws are among the most employee-protective in the country. Non-competes are largely unenforceable here. We know every nuance that works in your favor.

Startup & Tech Fluency

We understand venture-backed compensation—option grants, RSU schedules, acceleration clauses, 409A valuations. You won’t need to explain how your equity works.

Litigation Experience

We’ve litigated employment disputes in state and federal court. That tells us which provisions get enforced and which are paper tigers.

Fast Turnaround

Most matters receive initial counsel within 48 hours, with expedited service available when your timeline demands it.

Transparent Pricing

You’ll know exactly what the engagement costs before any work begins. Flat-fee options for most matters. No surprises.

how it works

From first call to clear counsel in 48 hours

Brief Consultation

A short call to understand your situation, timeline, and goals. We’ll tell you honestly whether you need a lawyer.

Clear Quote

A transparent fee quote—flat-fee where possible—before any work begins. No surprises.

Deep Analysis

We assess your full situation—the agreement, the context, the risks, and the leverage—and develop specific, actionable recommendations.

Actionable Strategy

A clear written assessment and a call to walk through our analysis, your options, and the specific next steps we recommend.

California executive employment counsel for the decisions that define your career