Contracting, Drafting And Review From A Business Law Attorney Who Knows Southeast Kansas
Regardless of how long you’ve been running a business, contracts connect you to customers, vendors, employees and other significant partners who help your enterprise succeed. Most of us have heard the advice to “never work without a contract,” but a poorly written or hard-to-understand contract can put you in a vulnerable position.
At my law firm, the Law Office of Mark A. Werner, I work with Kansas businesspeople from all walks of life. I have more than 40 years of experience in business law, all of it right here in the Pittsburg area. My terms as Pittsburg’s mayor and years on the City Commission have added to my real-life business experience on how contract issues play out between local businesses and between businesses and municipalities.
Common Contract Needs For Southeast Kansas Businesses
The counties of southeast Kansas are economically dynamic, with hundreds of businesses employing tens of thousands of employees and serving even larger numbers of customers. I have worked with business owners on contract drafting and reviews in many situations, including:
- Employment agreements that protect local small business owners and family businesses
- Purchase agreements and vendor contracts for local businesses and their partners
- Agricultural lease agreements
- Drafting LLC and partnership operating agreements for family-owned enterprises
Not all contract reviews are tied to business. I can also help with deeds, real estate transfers of inherited property and succession documents – such as family entity operating agreements – to minimize disruption when a farm passes from one member of the family to another.
The Hidden Costs Of “DIY” Small Business Legal Templates
While do-it-yourself online contract services may seem like a cost-effective way to draft contracts, I have seen scores of cases in which the generic nature of the language in the template didn’t take into account Kansas business law or the specifics of the transaction in question.
For example, one Kansas-specific test of a contract’s legitimacy is whether there was a “meeting of the minds,” or mutual assent, about the terms of the contract and each party’s ability to fulfill their obligations. The state’s case law continues to evolve in this area and most DIY contract drafts don’t take into consideration what’s needed to demonstrate tangible assent.
Beyond the previous example, DIY contracts may insert unclear language that neither party truly understands and which can create unfair or burdensome obligations to one or all parties. While having a written contract reduces the assumptions that could flow from a handshake deal, language not reviewed by a qualified contracts lawyer can create disagreements between you and your contract partner, which can end up being resolved through contract litigation.
How I Can Protect Your Interests Before You Sign A Contract
When you call my office to set up a contract review, you will receive a set of services that protect your interests throughout the process:
- I’ll meet with you and do a thorough assessment of your situation
- I’ll go through the contract line by line, helping you understand the full implications of each sentence
- I’ll translate legal language into plain English for you, so you’re clear about what each section actually says
- I’ll search for and flag clauses in the contract that leave you without protection or are unfavorable for your interests
- I’ll discuss negotiation tactics and assist with redrafting the contract, if necessary
Contract review is a normal step in building a business or personal agreement that’s beneficial for everyone involved. You are not eroding trust by requesting a review by a Kansas contracts attorney – you’re building it.
Contact Me Today For A Contract Needs Assessment
My hands-on approach to streamlining the contract process begins with an initial consultation, where I’ll review your situation and advise you on the next steps you should consider taking. Call my office in Pittsburg at 620-206-4082 or use my online contact form to request your appointment.
