What Does a Contract Lawyer Do?
The landscape of business and personal interactions is undeniably complex, with contracts interwoven in virtually every mesh of relationships. In this interconnected world, the role of a contract lawyer carries critical importance. But what exactly does a contract lawyer do, and when do you need one? A contract lawyer typically handles various aspects of deal-making, from drafting to reviewing and even negotiating contracts for their clients. Specifically, contract lawyers are responsible for: Contract lawyers offer guidance, analysis, and previous experience that can result in a contracts that are likely to be executed successfully and serve your intentions and interests for an indefinite period of time… or, of course, until the terms of the agreement run their course . It is inherently in your best interests to have an informed, objective opinion on possibly contentious and complicated issues, and contract lawyers can be pivotal in such situations. After all, contracts are meant to protect your rights, assets, and deals: should a problem arise between yourself and the other party, it is the contract that will determine the outcome of the matter. Contractors are also invaluable in simplifying the complexities and minutiae of contracts. The law is not always intuitive, and contract lawyers will break down the terms and concepts in ways that almost always result in a better understanding of the document.
Why You Need a Contract Lawyer in Los Angeles
Benefits of Hiring a Contract Lawyer in Los Angeles:
The legal environment in Los Angeles is as diverse and dynamic as the city itself. With its unique blend of industries ranging from entertainment to technology, construction to healthcare, and retail to real estate, the need for specialized legal expertise in areas as varied as contract negotiation, compliance, and enforcement is essential. A local contract lawyer possesses the knowledge and understanding of the industry-specific regulations and practices that may be critical to the success of your business deal or the formation of a new partnership.
In a city as vast as Los Angeles, even the most sophisticated companies will likely encounter issues they are not prepared for or familiar with. For instance, a lien placed on your real estate could wreak havoc on financing and your new business or development project. The entertainment industry is always abuzz with contract disputes over compensation and ownership of intellectual property. The technology sector in the city has flourished into one of the largest hubs of innovation, producing a myriad of start-ups—and the contracts involved in such deals can often lead to sticky legal ramifications when not properly vetted. The medical cannabis industry has recently become a $1.1 billion, fast-growing sector, which is now under greater scrutiny from government and advocacy groups for regulation and compliance. As the growing international capital flows into investments in the various sectors here in Los Angeles, savvy trans-national business transactions require extensive legal expertise and insight into, among other things, rules of enforcement and applicable treaties.
However, the query of "why hire a contract lawyer in Los Angeles?" should extend beyond the consideration of the unique aspects of your particular industry and business. The cost of doing business in California is high, the financial and reputational risks of litigation are great, and the consequential damages that can flow from a contract dispute are incalculable. Your legal adviser needs to provide that extra level of skill to discover the risks that are unique to your company and industry, as well as the unique opportunities that may be presented through a well-crafted contract. It is easy to get lost in the number of attorneys available in the city and, while it is tempting to revert to the lawyer with the lowest hourly rate, cheap legal services that do not comprehend your business may take a serious toll on your bottom line. While astute legal advice is never inexpensive, hard-fought lessons in business law may be costlier in the long run.
When considering whether to hire a contract lawyer in Los Angeles, the following factors should be weighed:
How to Select a Contract Lawyer in Los Angeles
In an area as vast and dynamic as Los Angeles, finding a contract lawyer that fits your specific needs is critical. When choosing the right attorney for your situation, there are several key factors to consider that can help streamline the process. First, determine the experience level required for your legal matter. Los Angeles has thousands of attorneys that specialize in nearly every facet of law, so you shouldn’t have a difficult time finding an experienced attorney with the right background. However, avoid working with a generalist, as their primary goal is to get paid and move on to the next case. A prudent approach would be to select an attorney that has successfully handled 50-100 cases similar to your situation, or about five years of legal experience in the field that your case concerns, as this will help ensure your representation will be familiar with the nuances of your particular case.
Next, it’s time to consider your attorney’s specialization(s). The legal field is continuously evolving, and having an attorney with relevant specialties is important to winning your case. Take care to review your lawyer’s specialized experience and inquire whether they have an expertise for your exact case. The right lawyer to help you with your legal issue may not be an expert in all aspects of law, but a specialized one will increase your chances of success.
Finally, take note of your attorney’s reputation, as well as client reviews. An attorney that’s well-known in the Los Angeles legal community will likely be able to get you the results you’re looking for. When you find a firm you’re interested in, it’s important to review online testimonials and feedback. Positive client reviews and ethical accolades (i.e. Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, Texas Bar Association Board Certified, etc.) will ensure you’re working with an attorney that has maintained a strong reputation among their peers in the legal community.
Types of Contracts Los Angeles Lawyers Handle
A Los Angeles contract lawyer handles a wide range of contractual matters, from the most simple arrangements to the complexes agreements between businesses and foreign investors. Below are just a few examples of the types of contracts a contract lawyer in Los Angeles will assist you with:
Employment agreements – Occasionally, disputes arise over employment agreements, including wrongful termination, breach of contract or interference with prospective economic advantage. I’ve also helped clients to create separation agreements.
Real estate contracts – I help clients draft and litigate residential and commercial real estate contracts, including leases, joint venture agreements, purchase agreements and other land use agreements.
Corporate agreements – A Los Angeles contract attorney can assist in drafting or negotiating corporate deals, including franchise agreements, licensing agreements, distribution agreements and more.
Partnership agreements – I’ve worked with my clients to draft, litigate and negotiate partnership agreements and LLC operating agreements.
Purchase agreements – There are many different types of agreements in a corporation or business setting, including stock options, purchase agreements, tax and loan agreements, etc.
If you need assistance with any type of contract or agreement, a Los Angeles contract lawyer will be able to provide you qualified guidance.
Legal Fees for Contract Lawyers
Contract lawyers in Los Angeles usually bill hourly, and their rates often reflect their experience and specialization. A senior contract attorney may bill from $250 to $500 per hour, while a junior may charge as low as $200 per hour. Attorneys with niche specializations may charge significantly more or less than the general range if they can demonstrate their value relative to the market for their skills. Many contract attorneys also bill for contract work on a flat fee basis. Flat fees are usually based on the hours a contract attorney estimates his or her work will take, and they can vary depending on the nature of the engagement. Contract lawyers may propose flat fee arrangements for projects ranging from reviewing one contract for a specific amount of money , to billing in "blocks" per week or month up to a specific cap in hours and dollars.
Courts and other public institutions are often charged lower rates than private litigants. Many contract lawyers in Los Angeles will adjust their rates on a sliding scale according to a client’s financial circumstances. Some lawyers will accept pro bono or reduced fee cases on a contingent basis. With more and more of their work being outsourced, in-house counsel sometimes continue to work on a contract basis after leaving a company. Although contracting is sometimes disparagingly called "temporary lawyering," it can be a very attractive alternative to some, especially those who want or need to work intermittently or from home.
Questions to Ask a Contract Lawyer
To that end, below are the types of questions you should consider asking a contract lawyer at your initial consultation:
1. What are your credentials?
Typically, you will not need to know every legal nuance of contract law as a client. However, you do need to know that the lawyer you hire has experience drafting, executing, reviewing, or litigating contacts simply so that you know they are qualified for your case. You may wish to ask them if they have a specialty in contract law and/or which areas of contract law they deem themselves to be strongest in.
2. What is your case strategy?
This may seem like an odd question to ask. After all, you are meeting with the lawyer for an initial consultation to discuss your case. However, this question informs you of a number of important things, including the lawyer’s overall strategy when handling any legal matter. You want to make sure their solution makes sense and the best fit for your particular situation. You should also pay attention to how the lawyer communicates his or her strategy. Does it seem well thought out? Does it make sense? Do they seem to "get" your case? The way the lawyer answers the question may also inform you of whether or not that particular lawyer will be a good fit for you in terms of communication style, which is imperative over the course of the case. Of course, understand that the lawyer may not have all of the details at your first meeting, but they should be able to offer a reasonable, general strategy of how the case should be handled.
3. What will happen if we go to trial?
In asking this question you are not only trying to gauge the lawyer’s level of experience and expertise when it comes to handling the case, but you are also trying to determine whether or not the lawyer has sufficient confidence in your case. Does your lawyer feel confident that they can win? If they do not, then you may want to seek out another contract lawyer. Of course, be honest with your lawyer because part of their answer may depend on the facts of the case, which they may not yet be aware of.
4. What are your fees?
Simply put, make sure the lawyer’s fees are within your budget. Of course, there will be times when a good contract lawyer is going to cost more money than you have in your budget, like if you are dealing with a dispute that is likely going to end up in court. However, you should always be aware of exactly what you are getting into when it comes to the lawyer’s fees.
5. How long will the process take?
Contract disputes do not always end up in litigation, which can be expensive and time consuming. There are many disputes that can be resolved through negotiations before it gets to that point. However, your lawyer should be able to give you a fairly good idea of how long the process will take, depending on the circumstances of your case. For example, if your dispute is dealing with a breach of contract, your lawyer should be able to give you a general explanation of what the process will be and how long it will take, as well as how long it is likely to take if you must end up litigating the contract.
Finding Contract Lawyers Near Me
There are several strategies you can use to find an excellent contract lawyer in the Los Angeles area. First, you can search for a Los Angeles contract lawyer on one of the many legal directories available online; for instance, experienced contract attorneys can be found in the two leading lawyers’ directories, Avvo and FindLaw. Secondly, you can contact the L.A. County Bar Association , which has helpful resources for the public. Another great way to find a contract lawyer in your area is to ask for a referral. Ask people in your social circle for any recommendations they might have; this is often the best way to get good practitioner referrals. If you use this strategy, be sure to ask a knowledgeable person for information. Someone who doesn’t understand how to hire a lawyer may not help you find the right choice; get recommendations from someone who has experience hiring attorneys.