Hiring a Fort Pierce contract drafting & negotiations attorney can help you better understand some of the most complex legal issues of Florida business law.
Individuals and businesses in Fort Pierce and the surrounding areas of the Treasure Coast have a wide array of legal concerns and questions. At Apfelbaum Law, our experienced business attorneys assist clients with everything from setting up a new business to drafting and negotiating contracts with employees, customers, contractors, distributors, and other business associates.
We meet many people who are experts in their field of work, but may be confused by some of the complex legal issues of Florida business law.
Common Business Contracts & Agreements
Sometimes we meet with businesses or individuals who have questions about employment contracts. Employment agreements may include confidentiality agreements (also called non-disclosure agreements, or NDAs). These prohibit an employee from revealing confidential information, and can protect an employer’s proprietary resources such as trade secrets.
Non-compete agreements can prevent an employee from learning everything the boss knows, then starting a competing business down the road. These should be specific in geographic area and length—for example, “a sixty-mile radius of Fort Pierce for two years after employment ends.” Non-compete agreements that are too vague or excessive in scope or time length may lead to lengthy legal disputes and often the court may not enforce them.
Customer, Contractor, & Distributor Agreements
Many businesspeople also have questions and concerns about agreements with customers, contractors, distributors, and other business associates. Customer agreements should lay out what work will be done, when it will be completed, when payment is expected to be received, and things the provider is not liable for, etc. For example, an auto body shop may want to specify they are not responsible for certain kinds of damage beyond their control.
Contractor agreements should specify the work to be done, who will pay for materials, who will pay for additional labor if needed (for example, services provided by a third party), the time frame to complete the work, etc. A distributorship agreement will give the length of time a product will be distributed, and include options for exiting—situations in which the contract can be terminated.
These may be for cause, and specific reasons will be listed, or the contract may allow termination for no cause at all. Distributorship agreements should also address whether the distributor has an exclusive or non-exclusive arrangement—in other words, will the company be the only distributor of your product in a given area, or will there be others?
Hiring a Fort Pierce Contract Drafting & Negotiations Attorney to Help
These are general guidelines for things that need to be addressed in common business contracts. The particulars of your business may call for additional considerations. Many people think they can print a form off the internet, but a one-size-fits-all legal contract may fail to address all the specific needs of your business.
A Florida business lawyer will ask questions and determine if there are other things that need to be addressed. Then he or she will write a properly-worded contract to ensure your interests are protected.
If you have questions or concerns about contracts, business law, real estate, or other Florida legal services, please contact Apfelbaum Law for a consultation. We can be reached at 772-236-4009, or contactus@alawfl.com.
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