Finding the Best Contract Attorney in Dallas, TX

Why You Need a Contract Attorney

The complexities of the law are often such that it is not possible to be expected to know everything. That is why lawyers and their training exist; as experts in the law, they are well suited to make the right decisions and arguments on behalf of their clients. This is especially true when it comes to contract law; whenever a business or individual is going to enter into some kind of formal agreement with another business or individual, it is highly recommended to be well informed about contract law and to have a good Dallas contract attorney to guide you through the process.
Contracts outline what is expected of both parties; legal ramifications can occur if one side does not live up to their end of the legal bargain. All manner of arguments can occur when two parties begin to look differently at the language of a contract . A well-written contract will stand up in a court of law without much issues. However, if something is not well written or if a person does not follow the terms as outlined, then a contract attorney can be invaluable in quickly helping a business or business owner resolve the matter in favor of their interest.
For businesses, the concern is obvious. Many times contracts govern the protection of intellectual property, trade secrets, and other significant aspects of a business. For an individual, there are many complexities when participating in a merger, acquisition, or any other kind of business with other individuals. In either case, it makes sense to ensure that a presiding contract attorney be present to help make sure everything is done correctly.

Duties of Contract Attorneys

Contract attorneys are hired by law firms to assist with the execution of certain projects or tasks. Some firms have a need for help on a regular basis and will retain a contract attorney on an ongoing basis, while others need assistance only from time to time. An attorney in this role will have the opportunity to work on active cases in the firm as well as projects that have languished and not moved forward because of a shortage of in-house attorneys. A contract attorney may specialize in a particular area of law, or provide general support across the spectrum of the firm’s work.
Some firms may hire contract attorneys to assist with drafting work. An attorney in this role would use an existing template to draft an agreement but would not be responsible for putting a new contract together from scratch. Some duties can be repetitive, such as reviewing contracts to make sure any changes made to the original text are appropriately documented. A Dallas contract attorney, for example, may review amendments to the language of a supplier agreement to verify that the changes are correctly noted by the attorney writing the new draft.
Some contract attorneys are responsible for negotiating contracts on behalf of their employer. It may be that the firm is receiving too many potential matters to handle and needs an attorney to help respond to clients. A contract attorney in this role may be involved with legal representation on behalf of the firm. A contract attorney may be brought in to assist with high-volume projects, such as a large number of similar agreements with different parties, or with special assignments such as reviewing an outsized number of contracts over a period of time.

Contract Attorney Employment Criteria

When seeking to find the right contract attorney for your business in Dallas, TX, there are several key qualities and qualifications to consider. First and foremost, experience in contract law and litigation is imperative. You want to find an attorney who has been practicing contract law for several years, if not decades. Too much can go wrong with even a minor contract dispute, and you want a Dallas attorney who has seen just about everything and knows how to handle it.
Specialization is another right way to ensure that you are finding the right contract attorney for your needs. You need someone who has seen dozens of cases just like yours and has come out on top. General business attorneys may not have the experience in this narrow field to provide the level of service and guidance you need. Instead, work with an attorney who specializes in small business and contract law.
Don’t be afraid to ask for client testimonials, as well. Talk to your attorney’s previous clients and ask them how satisfied they were with the results of their case. This will go a long way toward providing you with both peace of mind and an understanding of what to expect should you choose to hire that attorney.
Finally, communication is key. Does your attorney respond promptly to your questions or concerns? Does he or she give you clear answers or simply brush off the difficult questions? An attorney should be clear and concise when discussing legal matters with you, so if you don’t feel comfortable, find someone who communicates more effectively.

Contracts Disputes in Dallas

An optimal business environment typically draws companies to come seeking mutually beneficial contractual relationships. Unfortunately for many, finding the right contract attorney can feel like a quagmire. The Dallas-based law firm of Barnett Howard & Williams has been representing clients over more than a decade to help them find the right fit.
But local business environment aside, it’s important to take into consideration the risks that lurk in industry-specific contracts. Failure to do so can bring about possible legal entanglements that will cost you time and money. The Dallas-Fort Worth area’s large economy (ranked fourth in the United States) supports a variety of industries, but some are more at risk than others for encountering some common contract issues. Here are a few specific examples:
Agriculture: A very profitable industry for the DFW region—Texas is the top agricultural state in the U.S.—but the 12th largest globally, according to worldpopulationreview.com. The pecan industry alone has earned $129 million for the state. The production and shipping of crops involve specific contracts for the proper handling of perishable goods. Finding the right local contract attorney can save a business from excessive shipment losses due to contract mistakes. That can also mean using contractors to handle the crops as well, so those contracts must be airtight.
Transportation: Infrastructure improvements and a diversification of services conversely make this a risky industry from a contracts perspective. Where once freight-hauling trucks were the norm, now it seems that the industry is turning into an umbrella of sorts for related services. Today’s transportation services companies, for instance, offer same-day delivery, freight brokerage, value-added warehousing, Memphis-style overnight air service, and more. Each of these services needs very specific kinds of contracts to ensure that all contingencies have been covered.
Manufacturing: Manufacturers are at the mercy of costs for raw materials, goods to be fabricated, and labor, so fixed-price contracts can be problematic. Not only are you working with a fixed price, but you also have an ever-changing compendium of supplier costs and an uncertain labor market to deal with. Sometimes, because of the global market, outside manufacturers can drive your costs up as well, but your fixed-price contract may not take that into account.
Military/defense contracting: Your company can easily lose patience with a lack of payment. It can happen with government contracts, too, especially in the defense industry. Half the year might be gone and you have yet to receive your first payment. Furthermore, payment regulations are ridiculously complicated. An experienced contract lawyer can assist you in negotiating those contracts so you don’t wind up begging for your money or worse—losing it all.
Construction: Like agriculture, the agricultural industry is roaring in North Texas. The real estate boom that is arguably fueled by that agriculture has caused the building industry to thrive as well. But more businesses mean more competition, which means more problems that could lead to contract discrepancies. Construction often involves complex contracts (not only the building but also the sub-contractors, equipment, and time restrictions). You need an attorney who knows the ins and outs of construction law and can demonstrate it through how contracts are written.
Professional Services: The "professional" under this classification is likely the highest number of people in your area of work. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t greater risk where contract-related issues are concerned. That’s because your industry is always subject to new interpretations of the law, both by lawyers and judges. Contracts drawn up without finesse can lead to your clients or your fellow contractors finding loopholes that can hurt your company.
Oil & gas: You’re in an industry that is in the midst of an overall down market. Louisiana once led the South in oil and gas revenues, but Texas has taken over, pulling in $2.5 billion a month. Getting paid for your services can be tricky, though, if you do not have the right contract in place.

Selecting Your Ideal Contract Attorney in Dallas

There are several methods you can employ in your efforts to find a reliable contract attorney in Dallas. Referrals are one way to get in touch with a professional that you believe will meet your needs for a qualified contract attorney. These can be received from a number of sources, including friends, family, colleagues, and business contacts .
Once you have obtained a referral, online reviews and ratings are another resource for gaining valuable information about attorney services. Legal directories can also be useful in your research on prospective contract attorneys. By consulting the Texas State Bar Association’s website, you can verify whether a contract attorney is properly licensed to practice law within the state of Texas.

Contract Attorney Rates

Hiring an outside contract attorney offers the flexibility to tap into specific expertise and adjust your legal support needs as your case evolves. Whether you have an immediate need for a litigation attorney for a week-long trial or need to supplement your workload with a contract document reviewer, contract attorneys offer high-quality representation on demand. In Dallas, the average hourly rate for a contract attorney with years of experience is about $40 an hour. Contract attorney rates vary by location so there tend to be less expensive options among contract attorneys in Dallas, TX than in other parts of the country, like the East Coast or West Coast.
Most contract attorneys prefer to bill on an hourly basis. Many contract attorneys will fill out a time sheet from day to night to account for the work they’ve done for you. This is a standard contract attorney method of payment. Most contract attorneys expect you to pay for travel time or some other form of reimbursement for expenses while billable hours commense. If you hire a contract attorney from another city, many firms will require a retainer fee that can range from $500 – $2,000. Many contract attorneys have large overhead costs associated with them so they often charge more than you would an associate in your law firm.
One important issue is that while the contract attorney is technically your employee during their engagement, they don’t typically have a job for more than a few months at a time. Since that’s the case, the contract attorney can get paid based on the number of hours they work and have that directly go to them. The amount of liability in this instance is much less compared to hiring an employee full-time. So while prices could actually vary based on the amount of hours worked, most contract attorneys are capped around $40 per hour, which is on the high end of what contract attorneys get paid around the country.

Best Contract Lawyer Firms in Dallas

Situated in the heart of North Texas, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is home to some top contract law firms in the state. With a broad spectrum of experience and expertise, these leading firms have established themselves as experts in contract law in the area. When choosing a contract attorney, consider the following of some of the best contract lawyers/M&A experts in Dallas, TX.
Munck Wilson Mandala
Munck Wilson Mandala L.L.P. has six practice areas: Intellectual Property, Business Employment and Commercial Litigation, Family Law, Real Property and Land Use, International and Tax. They have a team of litigation lawyers that are adept in all forms of summary judgment and trial practice. M&As form a substantial portion of the firm’s practice, and its contract lawyers have expert counsel in a wide variety of corporate transactions as well as employment, commercial, and intellectual property disputes before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Fasken Martineau
Fasken Martineau has more than 800 lawyers in offices in Canada, the U.S., Africa and UK . The firm provides a truly global legal service to their clients engaged on five continents. They have a broad ability to do law on almost any meaningful scale.
Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
Kelley Drye & Warren LLP has a respected depth of experience and expertise across a variety of industries, practices, and geographies. They have a comprehensive range of industry expertise to help their clients successfully navigate the myriad of issues that arise within the construction industry. As a result, their contract lawyers have become leading authorities in their fields. They are regularly engaged to handle some of the largest, most complex construction-related legal matters across the full spectrum of construction projects around the world.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright’s worldwide network allows their clients to have the right people with the right experience, in the right place, at the right time to help them achieve their business objectives. Their experienced professionals deliver firsthand solutions to their clients’ toughest challenges.