If You Can’t Control The Contract Language – Control The Money
Written on October 17, 2014
I often have clients come into my office looking for help with a contract (after they have already signed it). Many times, the disputed dollar amounts range from $15, 000.00 – $40,000.00.
Here’s the problem: the agreements may seem “standard” to the common eye, but the provisions governing Jurisdiction, Arbitration, and Venue can lead to difficulties in efficiently pursuing monies that are rightfully owed.
For instance, if you agree to sign a contract with a company that requires all disputes to be litigated and/or arbitrated in another state, you will have to bear the expense associated with the travel and communication issues related to fighting in that state. If you agree to a provision that requires mediation as a prerequisite to arbitration, but fails to specify how the mediators and arbitrators are to be selected, you may have to argue about it before you can actually get in front of a decision maker.
Moral of the Story – the concept of a contract is to memorialize the detailed agreement of the parties so that any dispute can be resolved in the most efficient manner available. If you choose to sign a contract without proper legal advice, prepare to finance the inefficient litigation of any resulting dispute.
Practical Advice – If you choose to sign a contract without legal advice then please make sure that you control the money. I see people being taken advantage of everyday because they fail to control the contract language and they allow the other party to control the money.
I strongly endorse Andrew Mongelluzzi. He is a very skilled and able business attorney focused on customer service and results. On the front end, Andrew deftly advises new businesses on organizing properly, acquiring necessary licenses, contracting with vendors & customers, and dealing with various compliance issues that may arise. On the back end when things go south, Andrew counsels and navigates businesses through complex commercial disputes and aggressively represents them in negotiations, mediation, arbitration, and in litigation so that businesses can legally move on and get back to business. Andrew’s ability to identify legal issues and approaches to resolve business-related issues is a strength that I have learned from and professionally relied upon in approaching the business matters and cases that I handle. I regularly refer business to Andrew knowing that he will diligently represent his business clients and their best interests.
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