Because the stakes can be very high if you sign a contract that’s not in the best interest of your business, you should depend on legal guidance from an experienced Seattle business contract attorney. “Boilerplate” language you may not think twice about could endanger your company if something goes wrong. Whether you want to formalize a relationship through drafting a business contract or one has been presented to you to sign, our Seattle business contract attorney at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess can help.

Our attorney can help you with a wide range of matters, including creating, reviewing, negotiating, and enforcing contracts.

We are legal professionals with more than 100 years of combined experience serving businesses of all sizes. Receive a consultation by calling us at 253-572-1000 today.

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Our Seattle Business Contract Lawyer Can Advise You in Contract Disputes

Your Concern May Be About an Agreement That’s Not Enforceable

A contract to do something illegal isn’t binding.

Some kinds of contracts, including a contract for the sale of goods for five hundred dollars or more, must be in writing due to the state’s statute of frauds. Otherwise, a contract could cover just about anything.

An enforceable contract has these elements:

• There was an offer and an acceptance. Between the two actions, there can be counter-offers and negotiation, but it’s not required. An acceptance is a “meeting of the minds” as to what the parties must do to fulfill the contract.
• Something of value (known as “consideration”) must be exchanged. This usually is a product or service in exchange for money, but money’s not mandatory either. It could be an exchange of goods and services, or a party may receive something in exchange for not doing something they have a right to do.

If these elements aren’t present, you may have a situation where unenforceable promises were made or the proposed contract was never, under the law, agreed upon.

Our Team Can Help You When There’s a Contract Conflict

Help from a Business Contract Attorney Can Protect You from Legal Problems in a Dispute

An unresolved contract disagreement could end up in court.

We represent both sides of contract disputes. Whichever side you’re on, it is wise to have not only skilled, but experienced legal representation from a business contract attorney. In a conflict, one party may want to enforce the contract; the other may not want to comply because legal requirements weren’t met, or there’s another valid defense.

Common issues our business contract attorneys help clients with relate to these questions:

• Are the elements of a binding contract present?
• Did one or both parties breach the contract?
• If there was a breach, was it a minor issue that can’t be the basis of legal action? Or was it a material breach that goes to the heart of the contract, justifying court involvement?
• Were all parties mentally competent to sign the agreement?
• Was the contract a result of fraud or extortion?
• If damages are an issue, is there enough evidence to support the amount claimed? The party bringing suit can seek damages (its costs due to the other party’s breach), specific performance (a court order that the other party shall comply with the contract), or both.

Our Business Contract Lawyer Can Help with a Wide Range of Agreements

Contracts are an integral part of business. Every company owner could be bound by many contracts — with employees, customers, suppliers, and contractors. All types of contracts, not just written ones, could be enforceable, depending on the facts. You may also be a party to an oral contract or one formed through the parties’ actions.

Every important relationship your business has could be covered by a contract.

Your business may be a party to many contracts. If these are not thoroughly reviewed and fairly negotiated, it could severely harm your business. Here are some common types of business contracts:

Leases

Whether you are a landlord or a property owner, or you lease space or equipment for your business, a lease agreement is imperative. It should protect the rights of both the landlord and the tenant. Depending on the lease, if it’s not written, it may not be enforceable.

Ownership Agreement

If you are a partner or a shareholder of a corporation, put the specific terms of the business and your fellow owners’ roles in a written contract. It sets expectations and creates rights and responsibilities. The contract may prevent future conflicts and should set out guidelines for resolving them when they happen. The contract should also state how a party voluntarily leaves the business and how other partners can remove one under certain circumstances. Our business contract attorneys provide contract drafting services to help you in this important process.

Contract for the Purchase or Sale of Goods

If you are a retailer or a vendor, you must have a written contract with the terms of the sale. Any transaction involving goods worth over $500 must have a written contract that includes payment terms, delivery terms, and a description of the goods. Without a valid contract, the other party may walk away from an agreement, leaving you without legal options.

Nondisclosure Agreement

This contract, also known as an NDA, prevents employees, vendors, clients, or other parties from revealing intellectual property and confidential information about your business. It may prevent an employee from using what they know to help a competitor. If you want to sell your business, an NDA should prevent a potential buyer from learning about your business and then turning what they’ve discovered against you. One could also prevent a contractor from taking advantage of information they learned while working for you.

Employment Contract

You may want to go beyond your employee handbook and have key employees bound to a contract. It can include an NDA and a non-compete agreement, which may prevent the employee from leaving to work for a competitor or client. State law limits the control you can have, but if someone develops key skills and knowledge while working for you, you may want to limit their ability to work for the competition.

Supplier Contract

If you are heavily dependent on another company to supply you with necessary goods or services, a contract can create some certainty about what both sides should expect from one another. It may also prevent, or least discourage, the other party from taking advantage of your need for their help.

Never sign a contract without fully understanding it with the help of an experienced business contract attorney. We can explain the language and how it may affect your business. Our attorneys can also suggest language to better protect your interests. Our business attorneys at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess can also negotiate agreements on your behalf. You’ll get the benefit of our experience while you spend your time and energy running your business.

Work With a Business Contract Lawyer in Seattle You Can Trust

Legal Counsel May Earn You a Return Far Greater Than Your Investment

Our firm has been serving businesses like yours in the Puget Sound area for more than 25 years. We understand the problems you want to avoid and the goals you want to reach. With more than 100 years of combined legal experience across a broad spectrum of legal disciplines, our law practice focuses on protecting companies and their financial future.

Contracts are necessary to protect business owners by allowing legal recourse if another party does not live up to their promises. The contract issues you face won’t go away by themselves. With the right help, you may address them and put your company in a strong position. If you need assistance with any business contract, an experienced business contract attorney at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess is here for you.

We draft, negotiate, and review contracts, as well as assist with any contract disputes. Contact us today for a consultation by calling us at 253-572-1000, so we can discuss what you need and what we can do for you.