Clear Terms. Minimized Risk. Enforceable Rights.
A handshake deal works until it doesn’t. We draft and review contracts that protect your interests, prevent disputes, and ensure you get exactly what you bargained for.
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The Foundation of Every Business Relationship
Contracts are the lifeblood of commerce. They define your revenue, your liabilities, and your relationships. Yet, many businesses rely on “copy-paste” templates found online—templates that are often outdated, unenforceable in Texas, or dangerously vague.
At Saffold Law, we treat contracts as strategic assets. We don’t just check for typos; we stress-test every clause. We ask: “What happens if the vendor goes bankrupt?” “What if the delivery is late?” “Who owns the IP?” We close the loopholes before they become lawsuits.
Common Contract Pitfalls (Why Templates Fail)
Using a template you found on Google is one of the fastest ways to expose your business to liability. Here are the most common “blind spots” we fix:
1. The "Ambiguous Scope" Trap
If your Scope of Work (SOW) says “marketing services” without defining exactly what that includes (e.g., 3 posts per week vs. unlimited posts), you are setting yourself up for “scope creep”—doing more work for the same money.
2. Missing "Termination for Convenience"
Many standard contracts lock you in for a year with no way out unless the other side breaches the agreement. We ensure you have an exit ramp if your business needs change, so you aren’t stuck paying for a service you don’t want.
3. Wrong Jurisdiction (The "New York" Clause)
If you copy a contract from a big competitor, you might accidentally agree to settle disputes in New York or Delaware. If you get sued, you’ll have to hire lawyers in another state. We ensure venue is set right here in Texas.
4. No IP Assignment
Paying a freelancer to build your website doesn’t mean you own the code. Unless the contract explicitly states it is a “Work for Hire” and assigns the copyright to you, the freelancer might still own your assets.
Comprehensive Contract Services
We handle agreements for every stage of your business.
1. Service & Vendor Agreements (MSA)
Whether you are the provider or the client, the Master Service Agreement (MSA) sets the rules. We define:
- Payment Terms: Ensuring you have leverage (like pausing work) if the client pays late.
- Warranties: Limiting what you promise so you aren’t liable for things out of your control.
2. Non-Disclosure & Confidentiality (NDA)
Your ideas are your currency. We draft robust NDAs to protect your trade secrets, client lists, and pricing strategies during negotiations with potential partners, investors, or employees.
3. Partnership & Operating Agreements
Starting a business with a partner? You need a “Business Prenup.” We draft agreements that cover:
- Decision Making: Who breaks the tie in a 50/50 split?
- Profit Distributions: When and how do you get paid?
- Buy-Sell Provisions: What happens if a partner dies, divorces, or wants to quit?
4. Independent Contractor Agreements
Misclassifying an employee as a contractor can lead to massive IRS fines. We draft Contractor Agreements that clearly establish the independent relationship to protect you from audits.
5. Commercial Lease Review
Before you sign a 5-year lease, let us review it. Landlord leases are notoriously one-sided. We fight to limit “pass-through” expenses and cap your liability.
What Counts as an "Adverse Employment The High Cost of Cheap Contracts
Skipping legal review to save money upfront often costs 10x more on the back end.
- Litigation Costs: A vague contract leads to lawsuits where the only winners are the litigators. A clear contract stops fights before they start.
- Lost Revenue: If you can’t enforce payment because your terms were weak, you work for free.
- Uncapped Liability: Without a limitation of liability clause, a small mistake on a $10,000 contract could lead to a $1,000,000 lawsuit.
RetaliatiWhat We Fight For (The "Hidden" Clauses)on is Illegal
We negotiate the clauses that non-lawyers often ignore but judges focus on:
- Indemnification: Ensuring you aren’t accepting liability for someone else’s negligence.
- Limitation of Liability: Capping the amount you can be sued for (e.g., limiting damages to the fees paid under the contract).
- Force Majeure: Protecting you if unforeseen events (like a pandemic or natural disaster) make performance impossible.
- Attorney’s Fees: Ensuring that if you have to sue to enforce the contract, the other side pays your legal bills.
How We Build Your Strategy
1. The Audit
We review your existing template contracts. Are they protecting you? Are they compliant with current Texas law?
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2. The Redline
If another party sends you their contract, never sign it as-is. We “redline” the document, striking out unfair terms and inserting protections for your business.
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3. The Library
We can build a library of custom templates for your sales team, so you can close deals faster without needing a lawyer for every single transaction.
Sign with Confidence.
Don’t let a bad contract be the reason your business fails. Contact Saffold Law to ensure your agreements are watertight.