ATTORNEYS FOR LICENSED PROFESSIONALS
Contracts
Contracts are the foundation of any business or professional agreement, but unclear terms or hidden risks can lead to costly disputes. We help you with clear, reliable, and protective contracts.In order for business contracts to be legally binding or enforceable, contracts must include important elements and terms that are fair to both parties. Our legal team is experienced in creating, disputing, and enforcing contracts. Howell, Buchan & Strong can review and draft various legal contracts and agreements such as:
- Employment Agreements
- Contracts for Services
- Buy/Sell Agreements
- Settlement Agreements
- Management Agreements
- Restrictive Covenants or Non-Compete Agreements
- Commercial Leases
- Asset Purchase Agreements
- Stock Purchase Agreements
Let Us Help With Contracts So You're Protected
Unfortunately, many people think they are saving money by avoiding the legal expense associated with contract review or drafting. At Howell, Buchan & Strong, we understand how to negotiate and draft all types of contracts.
Without legal advice in the contract review and drafting phase, disputes can arise when attempting to interpret or enforce a contract. We are experienced in negotiating and drafting contracts that are less prone to dispute.
We’ve commented about do-it-yourself contracts and the consequences of not seeking legal advice from experienced contract law attorneys on this DIY Disasters of Writing Your Own Legal Contracts blog.
We can help with your contracting needs and negotiations!
Employment Contracts
Our Firm has encountered employment agreements that contain clauses that are simply not enforceable. This goes against the interests of both the employer and the employee. At Howell, Buchan & Strong, our team has extensive experience in employment law and contract law and understands how to craft specific clauses that are in the best interest of both parties. Let us review and help draft your employment agreement.
Buy/Sell Agreements
Buy/Sell Agreements, if prepared by a layperson or someone not knowledgeable about contract law, can lead to many legal issues and, more importantly, cost everyone money. We regularly encounter issues with forms or documents created by non-Florida lawyers. Our team of experienced Florida lawyers understands the intricacies and specific requirements of Buy/Sell Agreements.
Restrictive Covenants or Non-Compete Agreements
Florida law has specific requirements and limitations relating to non-compete clauses. Employees, independent contractors, vendors, and employers encounter and implement restrictive covenants and non-compete agreements regularly. We often hear from clients who do not understand how a restrictive covenant or non-compete agreement may apply in their situation. Allow our team of experienced attorneys to advise you on these matters before you run into problems in the future. Additionally, we can advise you on your options if it is alleged that you may have violated the terms of the agreement.
Asset Purchase Agreements and Other Business Sales
Whether you seek to sell the business you grew, or are interested in buying a business as your next endeavor, it is important that there are no surprises. Our team of attorneys understands the elaborate complexities of asset purchase agreements or other agreements for the sale of businesses. The agreements should define certain aspects of the sale in specific detail. Let an experienced attorney at Howell, Buchan & Strong draft, review, and advise you on your business sale or purchase.
Commercial Leases
If you are renting space to others or renting space from a landlord for your own business, it is important to understand the terms that apply, including the rental term, guarantor requirements, and expense allocation. Beyond these important issues, there are specific rules that apply to certain professions or facilities, such as health care facilities and organizations.
Contracts and agreements are essential to all businesses. Lean on legal experts who put your interests first when drafting, reviewing, or negotiating contract terms and agreements.
Contract Pitfalls
In health care, contracts are entered into every day. Whether contracts for employment of a physician’s services (or other professional), buy/sell agreements for a clinic, facility or other health care business.
Unfortunately, some individuals think they are saving money by avoiding assistance from an experienced health care attorney. Not all attorneys have experience with contract law. And most do not know about the legal pitfalls of going it alone or do it yourself (DIY) when it comes to contract drafting. Even fewer lawyers know all of the issues that can arise in a health care contract. We’ve commented about this before on our blog.
The problem usually occurs down the road when someone disputes the language of the contract or attempts to enforce or avoid the contract’s obligations. We find that typically problems arise in the following areas:
1
Employment Contracts—one party, the employer is attempting to get a physician or other professional to sign an agreement that is not in their best interests or even illegal. Or the reverse is true.
2
Buy/Sell Agreements for a Florida Health Care Clinic or Other Facility—these agreements if prepared by an amateur or someone that is not knowledgeable can lead to a whole host of problems and more importantly cost everyone money. We encounter regularly those who either use a form or their local non-Florida lawyer and run afoul of specific licensing provisions that lead to a denial of licensure for the facility or clinic by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) or other government agency.
3
Restrictive Covenants/Non-Compete Agreements—Florida law has specific requirements and limitations on non-compete clauses. We find that careful review of contract language by an experienced lawyer can avoid problems down the road.
4
Asset purchase agreements and other business sales: You’ve worked hard for years to build your business, and now it’s time for you to sell and move on to your next endeavor. Either way, it’s important that there be no surprises, before or after closing.
5
Leases: Whether you are renting space to others, or renting space from a landlord for your own business, it’s important to understand the terms that apply. How long is the rental term and can either party extend that term? Will the tenant be required to have a personal guarantor? On top of that, there are specific rules that apply to health care facilities and organizations.
Contracts are the way to do business. Our Firm has the team to review, advise and if necessary draft your contract(s).
Our Contract Review Team
Need to discuss a case? Get in Touch!
Contact Us About Contracts850.877.7776
lawyerhelpnow@jsh-pa.com
Locate a local office
Contact the law firm of Howell, Buchan & Strong at 850-877-7776 to set up a FREE no-obligation consultation. Our firm represents physicians, nurses, psychologists, and other licensed professionals like realtors, contractors, accountants and more statewide.
