The Bigger Picture: Why Contracts Must Be Read as a Whole
November 20th, 2024
One of my favorite books, East of Eden by John Steinbeck, delivers unforgettable storytelling and profound insights into human nature. A line that resonates deeply with me is: “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” This s…
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Categories: Business Contracts
Negotiating for Success
November 13th, 2024
A client of mine was recently on the verge of acquiring a small business that perfectly fit its growth strategy. The acquisition was supposed to be straightforward—until the seller’s lawyer, let’s call him Mr. Fine Print, began dissecting every…
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The Puzzle of Contracts
November 6th, 2024
There are a few things that truly help me to unwind from the demands of lawyering: the beach, a good book, exercise, and surprisingly…jigsaw puzzles. There is something incredibly calming about sitting down with hundreds of pieces, focusing on each…
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Categories: Business Contracts
Choose Your Own Adventure Contracts
October 30th, 2024
I have always been an avid reader. As a business attorney, reading is a big part of my day—contracts, articles, blogs, letters, business books, statutes, and more. But when the workday ends, I still love to curl up with my Kindle and read for fun (…
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Categories: Business Contracts
Template Agreements: The Starting Point, Not the Finish Line
August 13th, 2024
In the fast-paced world of small business, efficiency is everything – but when it comes to legal agreements, are you making the most of your templates? Legal agreements should reflect these priorities while safeguarding the interests of the busines…
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Categories: Business Contracts
Overcoming Obstacles
March 18th, 2024
On January 1st, I set a goal to run at least 1 mile every day for a month to better manage stress and enhance my overall health. What began as a short-term resolution has evolved into a 78-day, 160+ mile journey, filled with unexpected hurdles. My ru…
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Categories: Business Contracts
Avoiding Effective Date Confusion
October 4th, 2023
Imagine that… Three years from now you want to terminate a contract for your business. The termination clause is clear — written notice must be given to the other party at least 30 days before the third anniversary of the Effective Date. You…
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Categories: Business Contracts
NEGOTIATING PAYMENT TERMS
October 28th, 2022
Payment terms may seem relatively straight-forward but can lead to potential issues if not dealt with up front in a contract. Fees and Payment Terms Rarely do parties disagree whether a contract should include the amount of fees a customer would pay…
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Categories: Business Contracts
Contract Risk Allocation
August 8th, 2019
There is an extensive body of law that describes the types and amounts of damages available if either party breaches a contract. Yet most contracts include terms that allocate more risks to one party, and less risk to the other party. Generally, ther…
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Categories: Business Contracts
Components of a Contract
June 26th, 2019
Contracts are easier to understand if broken down into parts. Unfortunately, those parts (and the labels to identify them) vary greatly from contract to contract. Generally though, business contracts are organized like this: 1. The Beginning of the C…
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Categories: Business Contracts