<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.16

                     SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

         This Agreement is entered into this 29th day of December, 2000, in full
and final settlement of all claims or potential claims, described more fully
herein, between Richard T. Furlano on the one hand, and Judge Technical
Services, Inc., JUDGE.com, Inc. and any corporate subsidiaries, predecessors, or
successors (hereinafter referred to as "the Company") on the other hand.

         WHEREAS, Furlano has been an employee of the Company in various
capacities, most recently the President of Judge Technical Services, Inc. for
the past nine years; and

         WHEREAS, in the course of such employment Furlano regularly has access
to highly confidential information and trade secrets; and

         WHEREAS, Furlano and the Company now wish to sever the employment
relationship; and

         WHEREAS, the Company has an interest in protecting its confidential
information and trade secrets; and

         WHEREAS, Furlano and the Company, wanting to avoid the expense and
disruption of litigation, wish to enter into a full and final settlement of all
potential claims either party may have against the other.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained
herein, and intending to be legally bound, it is AGREED as follows:

         1. Furlano agrees that he will not, for a period of twelve (12) months
from the execution of this Agreement (such period not to include any periods(s)
of violation or period(s) of time required for litigation to enforce the
covenants herein) either directly or indirectly, on his own account or as agent,
stockholder, employer, employee, consultant, for profit or not for profit, or
otherwise in conjunction with any other person or entity be engaged in a
"business in competition with the Company", or be employed by a "business in
competition with the Company", nor will he solicit accounts, personnel, or
engage in any other competitive activities and/or work for a "business in
competition with the Company". For the purposes of this Agreement, the term
"business in competition with the Company" shall mean any company that (i)
provides permanent or contract staffing services in the IT, engineering, food or
pharmaceutical industries, (ii) creates or distributes application software,
internet web products or other products for "Vendor" management solutions, or
(iii) engages in internet or web-based recruiting services for the IT,
engineering, food or pharmaceutical industries.. Furlano further agrees that he
will not, for a "business in competition with the Company," service any
customers the Company has done any business with during the preceding year.

         2. Furlano further agrees for two years from the execution of this
Agreement, he will not solicit business for any "business in competition with
the Company," from any persons or entity to whom the Company has sold its
products or services or with whom Furlano has contacted or was aware was
contacted as a potential or prospective client during the term of Furlano's
employment.. In addition, with the exception of Brian Furlano, Megan Blue,
Martin Judge, Eileen Sulpazo, Tara Bozarth, Dennis Judge, Jr., Michael Dunn,
Patrick Ronen, or Jason Dulin, Furlano shall not willfully or intentionally
socialize in person, by telephone, or in any other manner with the exception of
life events such as weddings, funerals, birth of babies, etc. with any employee
of the Company or its Affiliates for any reason for two years from the execution
of this Agreement. Under no circumstances shall Furlano solicit, attempt to
recruit, hire, direct or consult with, for profit or not for profit, any
employee of the Company or its Affiliates other than Brian Furlano or Megan Blue
with the intent or the effect of inducing or encouraging said employee to leave
the employ of the Company or to breach other obligations to the Company. Furlano
further acknowledges that it is the policy of the Company that all employees of
the Company sign non-competition agreements and that the hiring of employees who
have signed valid non-competition agreements may constitute tortious
interference with contractual relations. To verify his compliance with Sections
1 and 2 of this Agreement, Furlano agrees to provide the Company's independent
accounting firm with a copy of his federal and state tax returns for the years
2001 and 2002. The independent accounting firm shall provide a list only to the
Chief Financial Officer of the Company of the sources of Furlano's additional
income for said years.

<PAGE>

         3. The Company shall pay Furlano a one-time lump sum payment of
$51,923, less applicable taxes, constituting nine weeks of severance pay within
fifteen (15) business days of the effective date of this Agreement.

         4. The Company shall pay Furlano the sum of $300,000 less applicable
taxes, in accordance with the Company's regular payroll practices over a period
of twelve months from the effective date of this Agreement, so long as Furlano
abides by all terms of this Agreement, and in particular with Sections 1 and 2
contained herein.

         5. The Company shall pay Furlano the sum of $150,000 commencing one
year from the effective date of this Agreement over the following twelve months,
in accordance with the Company's payroll practices so long as Furlano abides
Section 2 contained herein.

         6. Upon the effective date of this Agreement, one hundred percent
(100%) of Furlano's stock options shall immediately vest, which shall be
exercisable for ninety (90) days from the effective date of this Agreement in
accordance with the terms of the JUDGE.com Stock Option Plan.

         7. On the effective date of this Agreement, the Company shall put into
escrow 150,000 shares of restricted common stock in Furlano's name. Furlano and
the Company shall execute both a Restricted Share Agreement, attached hereto as
Exhibit A (the "Restricted Share Agreement"), and an escrow agreement with a
duly authorized escrow agent. Two years from the effective date of this
Agreement, the shares shall be taken out of escrow and delivered to Furlano
provided that Furlano has abided by all of the terms of this Agreement, and in
particular with Sections 1 and 2 contained herein. In the event the Compensation
Committee has determined that Furlano has breached the provisions of this
Agreement, it shall provide notice in writing to Furlano, who shall have
forty-eight (48) hours to respond to such charge before the Compensation
Committee takes further action. Failure on the part of Furlano to abide by the
terms of this Agreement (which failure continues following the forty eight (48)
hour period), shall cause the shares to revert to the Company.

         8. The Company shall continue to pay the lease payment and Furlano
shall keep the car leased by the Company until May, 2001 when the lease expires.
Furlano shall return the car in accordance with the lease terms at the
termination of the lease. At the termination of the lease, the Company shall pay
Furlano $750 per month from April through December, 2001.

         9. Furlano and his dependents will no longer be entitled to benefits
through the Company's health or dental plan and will waive benefits under
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA). Instead, the
Company will reimburse Furlano the cost of a new benefit plan, up to a maximum
of $750 per month for twelve months.

         10. It is understood and agreed that, by entering into this Agreement,
neither the Company nor Furlano in any way admit any liability to the other
party by reason of any other matter. This Agreement is not, and shall not be
construed as, an admission by (i) the Company, or any of its respective
directors, officers, employees, representatives or agents, of any unlawful
conduct toward Furlano or (ii) Furlano of any unlawful conduct towards the
Company.

         11. Furlano unconditionally releases the Company, its affiliates,
subsidiaries, predecessors, successors, assigns, directors, officers, employees,
attorneys, representatives and agents, from any and all claims of any kind,
whether asserted or unasserted, known or unknown, that Furlano may ever have had
or now has, against the Company, up to the date of this Agreement, including
without limitation, any claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act; the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act; federal or state securities law;
contract law, tort law and any common law or statutory cause of action
whatsoever; and any claim for attorneys' fees and costs relating thereto. The
Company unconditionally releases Furlano, his successors and assigns, from any
and all claim of any kind, whether asserted or unasserted, known or unknown,
that Company may have, ever had, or now has, against Furlano, up to the date of
this Agreement including without limitation claims under law, tort law, any
common law or statutory cause of action whatsoever, and any claims for attorneys
fees and the costs relating thereto. In no event shall the provisions of this
Paragraph 11 affect the rights of either party under this Agreement or the
Restricted Share Agreement.

                                       2
<PAGE>


         12. Furlano agrees that neither he nor any person or entity acting on
his behalf will file, charge, or claim or cause to be filed, charged or claimed
against the Company, its respective affiliates, subsidiaries, predecessors,
successors, assigns, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, representatives
or agents, past or present, any action for damages or other relief (including
injunctive, declaratory, and monetary relief) that involves any matter that
occurred up to and including the date of this Agreement or that concerns any
continuing effects of actions or practices that occurred up to and including the
date of this Agreement or the implementation of any decisions already made. The
Company agrees that neither it nor any person or entity acting on its behalf
will file, charge or claim or cause to be filed, charged or claimed against
Furlano, his successors and assigns, any action for damages or other relief
(including injunctive, declaratory and monetary relief) that involves any matter
that occurred up to and including the date of this Agreement, or that concerns
any continuing affects of actions or practices that occurred up to and including
the date of this Agreement or the implementation of any decisions already made.
In no event shall the provisions of this Paragraph 12 affect the rights of
either party under the terms of this Agreement or the Restricted Share
Agreement.

         13. The parties will agree to issue a joint press release on this
issue, and the parties agree that they will not speak disparagingly or make any
negative statement about each other or discuss the separation other than to
reiterate the facts contained in the press release.

         14. Furlano certifies that he has carefully read and fully understands
all of the provisions and effects of this Agreement; that he has consulted and
thoroughly discussed all aspects of this Agreement with his attorneys; that he
has had twenty one days to consider this Agreement before signing it and has had
an additional seven days to revoke his consent hereto before the Agreement
became effective; that he is voluntarily entering into this Agreement; and that
the Company and its agents, representatives or attorneys, have not made any
representations concerning the terms or effects of this Agreement other than
those contained herein.

         15. Furlano acknowledges that he has had access to confidential
information of the Company. Such confidential information includes but is not
limited to any information regarding the Company, its affiliates, or any other
party with which it has business dealings including corporate information,
contractual arrangements, plans, strategies, tactics, policies, resolutions;
marketing information including sales or product plans, strategies, tactics,
methods, customers, prospects, financial information; operations information
including trade secrets; technical information including computer software
programs or data, personnel data, organization structure; and client
information. Furlano agrees that upon this execution of this Agreement, he shall
return all confidential information in any form and all written, printed, or
electronic information that is the property or created under the auspices of the
Company.

         16. Furlano recognizes that irreparable damage will result to the
Company in the event of the violation of any covenant contained herein made by
him, and Furlano agrees that in the event of such violation, the Company shall
be entitled, in addition to its other legal or equitable remedies and damages,
to temporary and permanent injunctive relief to restrain against such
violations(s) thereof by him and by all other persons acting for or with him,
including the cost of reasonable attorney's fees.

         17. The Compensation Committee shall be solely responsible for
determining Furlano's compliance with Paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Agreement,
which determination of compliance shall not be unreasonably or arbitrarily
withheld. In the event the Compensation Committee determines a breach of this
Agreement has occurred, it shall provide notice in writing to Furlano, who shall
have forty-eight (48) hours to respond. Furlano has the right to seek the
approval of the Compensation Committee before engaging in, as owner, employee,
consultant, shareholder, or participating in any other manner in, a business to
determine whether it would violate the provisions of Sections 1 or 2 of this
Agreement. In the event of a dispute by the parties over compliance with the
obligations contained in this Agreement, such dispute shall be subject to
non-appealable binding arbitration as adjudicated by the American Arbitration
Association in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Nothing contained herein
prevents the parties from seeking injunctive relief in the event of a breach or
threatened breach of this agreement.


                                       3
<PAGE>

         18. This Agreement is made and entered into in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, and shall in all respects be interpreted and enforced according to
the laws of Pennsylvania. The language of this Agreement shall in all cases be
construed as a whole and given its fair meaning, and shall not be construed
strictly for or against any of the parties.

         19. If any of the provisions of this Agreement is ultimately deemed by
a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, such
provision (s) shall be deleted and the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

         20. This Agreement, consisting of four (4) pages plus the Restricted
Share Agreement attached hereto, sets forth the entire agreement between the
parties, and fully supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings
between them pertaining to the subject matter hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Furlano
and the Company have executed the foregoing Settlement Agreement and General
Release.

         Executed this 29th day of December, 2000.

/s/ Richard T. Furlano
----------------------
Richard T. Furlano

Sworn to and subscribed before me this
29th day of December, 2000.

/s/ Mary D. Ciocca
-------------------
Notary Public

JUDGE. com, INC.

By: /s/ Martin E. Judge, Jr.
    ------------------------

JUDGE TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.

By: /s/ Martin E. Judge, Jr.
    ------------------------



                                       4