Never Sign Something You Haven't Read. Better: Never Sign Something a Lawyer Hasn't Read.
The most expensive legal mistake people make isn't losing a lawsuit — it's signing a contract they didn't understand. Non-compete clauses that limit your career for years. Arbitration agreements that strip your right to sue. Liability waivers buried in page 12 of a software agreement.
A contract review by an attorney typically costs $200-1,000 — a fraction of the cost of being trapped by unfavorable terms you didn't notice.
These templates help you get efficient, focused contract reviews that catch the clauses that matter most.
Employment Contract Review Request
'Dear [Attorney], I've received an employment offer from [company] and I'd like you to review the employment agreement before I sign. The contract is attached. I'm particularly concerned about: Non-compete clause (Section [X]) — scope and enforceability. Intellectual property assignment (Section [X]) — does this cover work I create on my own time? Termination provisions (Section [X]) — severance, notice period, grounds for cause. Equity/compensation terms — vesting schedule, clawback provisions. Arbitration clause — what rights am I waiving? My timeline: I need to respond to the offer by [date]. Please let me know your availability and fee for this review.'
Flagging specific sections you're concerned about lets the attorney focus their review and keeps costs down. A full contract review without guidance on priorities takes longer and costs more.
Business Contract Review
'Dear [Attorney], I'm entering into a [type of agreement — partnership, vendor contract, licensing deal, service agreement] with [other party] and I need the contract reviewed before signing. The agreement is attached. Key terms I want verified: [payment terms, delivery obligations, liability limits, termination rights]. Specific concerns: [anything that seems unusual or unfavorable]. Questions: Are the liability limitations fair and mutual? Are there hidden auto-renewal or penalty clauses? What happens if one party wants to terminate? Are the dispute resolution terms reasonable? My timeline: both parties aim to sign by [date]. Fee estimate for this review?'
For business contracts, ask specifically about auto-renewal, liability caps, indemnification, and dispute resolution. These are the clauses that cause the most expensive surprises.
Lease Review Request
'Dear [Attorney], I'm about to sign a [residential/commercial] lease for [property address] and I'd like a review of the lease terms. The lease is attached ([X] pages). Specific concerns: Maintenance and repair responsibilities — who pays for what? Early termination options and penalties. Security deposit terms and return conditions. Lease renewal and rent increase provisions. Any unusual or non-standard clauses. Is there anything in this lease that's unusual for [my jurisdiction]? My timeline: the landlord wants the signed lease by [date].'
Lease reviews are especially important for commercial leases, which are less regulated than residential ones. A commercial lease can contain terms that would be illegal in a residential context.
After the Review: Negotiation Email
When your lawyer flags issues: 'Dear [Other Party], I've had the [contract type] reviewed and I'd like to discuss a few modifications before signing. The terms I'd like to discuss: [Section X: Current language says Y. I'd like to propose Z because...]. [Section X: I'd like to add/remove/modify...]. [Section X: This clause is unclear — can we specify...?]. I believe these modifications are reasonable and protect both parties. I'm available to discuss at your convenience and I'm optimistic we can finalize this quickly.'
Requesting modifications after a lawyer review is standard practice, not adversarial. A party who refuses all requested changes is signaling inflexibility that may preview how they'll behave during the business relationship.
Red Flags That Demand Legal Review
Always get a lawyer to review a contract when: there's an arbitration clause (you may be waiving your right to sue), there's a non-compete or non-solicitation clause (this limits your career), there's an intellectual property assignment (you may be giving away things you create), the contract is longer than 10 pages (complexity hides unfavorable terms), there's a personal guarantee (your personal assets are at risk), or the other party pressures you to sign immediately.
The pressure to sign quickly is itself a red flag. Legitimate parties allow time for review. Anyone who says 'sign now or the deal is off' may not want you to understand what you're agreeing to.
Top comments (0)