Adverse Termination Services
- Due Diligence Transition Support
Investigative Support for High-Risk Employee Separations
Employee terminations can present significant legal, operational, and information security risks—particularly when the separation is contentious, unexpected, or involves access to sensitive systems and data. Maryman & Associates provides Adverse Termination Services to help organizations, HR leaders, and legal counsel prepare for and manage high-risk employee departures in a structured, defensible manner.
Our team supports employers before, during, and after adverse terminations by helping reduce the risk of retaliation, data theft, sabotage, workplace disruption, and post-separation litigation. We combine investigative expertise, cybersecurity awareness, and practical risk management to help clients navigate difficult employment events with confidence.
Pre-Termination Risk Assessment & Planning
Not all terminations carry the same level of risk. Some employees may have privileged system access, client relationships, sensitive knowledge, or prior behavioral warning signs that warrant additional preparation. Maryman helps organizations assess these risks in advance and implement reasonable safeguards.
Examples of high-risk personnel include IT administrators, cybersecurity professionals, C-suite executives, system owners, and other employees with privileged access to sensitive information, critical business systems, or network infrastructure. These individuals often possess elevated permissions, access to confidential data, and the ability to influence or modify key systems, making them important considerations in risk assessments, access reviews, transition planning, and security monitoring activities.
Maryman’s Termination Support is designed, whether the termination is adversarial or not, to support these two vital objectives. Our services include any or all of the following:
- Conduct Situational Analysis Review
- Identify termination team
- Conduct reconnaissance and identify preparation activities to support termination, which may include evidence acquisition
- Create a termination playbook
- Support activities, during the “termination event” (Phase 2)
- Post-termination support, which may include evidence acquisition (Phase 3)
- Change: Pre-Termination Risk Assessment & Planning to Situational analysis review and planning
Our Adverse Termination Services may include:
- Review of employee system access and privileges
- Assessment of data exfiltration or unusual digital behavior indicators
- Coordination planning between HR, legal, IT, and management
- Preservation of relevant records and communications
- Separation-day security and access control planning
Early planning often helps prevent avoidable incidents while supporting a fair and orderly transition process. In addition, it is important to note that while not all terminations are adverse, the list of due diligence actions are the same for any separation.
Information Security & Data Protection During Separation
Employees facing termination may attempt to copy files, forward confidential emails, download customer data, or retain access credentials. Maryman helps organizations identify and reduce these risks through proactive technical and investigative measures.
We assist with:
- Monitoring for unusual downloads or transfers, where appropriate
- Review of cloud storage, email forwarding, and external device activity
- Access termination planning for systems, VPN, SaaS, and applications
- Recovery of company devices and credential control coordination
- Protection of intellectual property, customer lists, and confidential records
Our focus is to help clients maintain business continuity while reducing exposure during sensitive transitions.
Post-Termination Investigations & Litigation Support
If misconduct, retaliation, or disputes arise after termination, Maryman can provide investigative support and defensible analysis to help counsel and decision-makers understand the facts.
Our post-separation services may include:
- Investigation of suspected data theft or unauthorized access
- Review of communications and digital activity timelines
- Support for restrictive covenant, trade secret, or solicitation disputes
- Evidence preservation and documentation
- Expert consulting and testimony, when appropriate
We support plaintiff, defense, and neutral engagements depending on the nature of the matter.
Practical, Defensible Support for Difficult Employment Matters
Adverse terminations are often where employment law, operational risk, and information security intersect. Maryman & Associates helps organizations respond thoughtfully and professionally—without overreaction and without unnecessary exposure.
Whether your company is preparing to terminate a high-risk employee, responding to suspicious activity after a departure, or defending a later claim, our Adverse Termination Services provide the investigative and strategic support needed to move forward.
Contact Maryman at 818-290-3775 to discuss how our Adverse Termination Services can help protect your organization during sensitive employee separations.