Is it worth having an attorney view a contract before you sign it?
Tiffany Jones's Answer
Quick Answer
It is essential to have an attorney review a contract before signing to avoid costly mistakes and ensure you understand the legal implications.
Key risks of waiting too long
Potential Risk
One-sided indemnification clauses.
Potential Risk
Unclear termination rights.
Potential Risk
Payment traps.
Potential Risk
Intellectual property ownership issues.
Full Transcript
Below is an AI-generated transcript of the video answer.
Is it worth having an attorney review a contract before you sign it? Well, let me put it this way.
A contract is not just a formality. It's a risk allocation tool. It tells you who's responsible
if something goes wrong, who gets paid and when, and what happens if someone breaches,
and how disputes are handled. But here's the issue. Most people skim contracts looking for
the business terms and completely miss the legal implications buried in the language.
As a business brand and contract attorney, I'm reviewing for things like
one-sided indemnification causes, unclear termination rights, payment traps, intellectual
property ownership issues, and liability provisions that could expose you way more than you realize.
Because once you sign, you've agreed, even if you didn't fully understand the agreement.
And unwinding a bad contract later? That's where things get expensive fast.
So is it worth it? Well, if the agreement impacts your money, your brand, or your peace of mind,
in my opinion, it's not just worth it. It's strategic.