Key Takeaways

  • Definition & Role: A contract lawyer specializes in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating legally binding agreements across industries.
  • Duties & Responsibilities: They handle contract creation, risk assessment, compliance, intellectual property, employment contracts, and mergers.
  • Industries Served: Contract lawyers work in business law, real estate, entertainment, intellectual property, government contracting, and more.
  • Benefits of Hiring a Contract Lawyer: Ensures legally sound agreements, prevents disputes, and mitigates legal risks.
  • Education & Licensing: Becoming a contract lawyer requires a law degree, bar admission, and sometimes specialized certifications.
  • Cost & Hiring Process: Contract lawyers may charge hourly, flat fees, or work on retainer, with cost variations based on complexity.
  • When to Hire a Contract Lawyer: Ideal when drafting contracts, facing disputes, dealing with intellectual property, or handling business transactions.

What is a contract lawyer? This legal professional is responsible for drafting, managing, and executing contracts between parties. You can hire a business contract lawyer on UpCounsel.

What Is a Contract?

A contract is a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties. Most contracts that hold any legal weight are made in writing, although oral contracts may be legally enforceable as well. A contract is only legal when it is entered into voluntarily by both parties and free from any duress. If one of the parties in the contracts does not fulfill the terms outlined in the agreement, they are committing a contract breach.

What Is a Contract Lawyer?

Contract employees are becoming more common across a variety of businesses in many industries. Similarly, contract lawyers are working with businesses more often. In most aspects of the law, you will come across contract lawyers. When the legal industry's stability wavers, a contract lawyer can provide some stability and steadiness in a law firm. A law firm can hire a contract attorney on an as-needed basis to take on the work related to contracts while keeping the associates available for other tasks.

The demand for contract attorneys began when contracts needed more support in the due diligence and litigation processes. The legal industry is always changing and adapting to regulations and laws, so the need for a contract attorney is also ever-shifting. Corporations and law firms are now using contract lawyers in more major roles to keep costs down while protecting themselves. A law firm is generally looking to save money without sacrificing service quality to the clients.

Contract lawyers come with a variety of backgrounds. Some include:

  • Lawyers who are currently in transition
  • Tenured lawyers looking to pick up additional work
  • Attorneys who want more flexibility in their scheduling, such as working parents
  • Lawyers operating solo practices and wishing to supplement their workflow
  • Attorneys who recently relocated to a new area

Some contract lawyers work for an agency and provide services for a variety of clients, while others serve as part of the in-house legal department for a company or work for a law firm. Other names for contract lawyers include:

  • Non-partner track attorneys
  • Staff attorneys
  • Of counsel
  • Contract attorney
  • eDiscovery attorney
  • Consultant
  • Document review attorney
  • Litigation support attorney

How to Become a Contract Lawyer

Becoming a contract lawyer requires several educational and professional steps:

  1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree: Typically in pre-law, business, or a related field.
  2. Attend Law School: Specializing in business or contract law can be beneficial.
  3. Pass the Bar Exam: Required for licensure in the state where they intend to practice.
  4. Gain Practical Experience: Through internships, clerkships, or associate positions in firms handling contracts.
  5. Consider Certifications: Some lawyers pursue additional certifications in contract management or business law.
  6. Stay Updated: Laws and regulations evolve, requiring continued legal education.

Contract lawyers may work in law firms, corporations, or as independent practitioners.

Types of Contracts Handled by Contract Lawyers

Contract lawyers handle a wide variety of legally binding agreements, including:

  • Business Contracts: Partnership agreements, vendor contracts, service agreements
  • Employment Contracts: Non-compete clauses, employee agreements, severance packages
  • Real Estate Contracts: Purchase agreements, lease agreements, construction contracts
  • Intellectual Property Contracts: Licensing agreements, confidentiality agreements
  • Government Contracts: Compliance-heavy contracts for public sector deals
  • Entertainment & Media Contracts: Talent contracts, production agreements, distribution deals

These contracts vary in complexity, and a contract lawyer ensures their enforceability under applicable laws.

What Does a Contract Attorney Do?

The main responsibilities of a contract lawyer include drawing up and revising legal contracts and documents. Contract attorneys perform many of the same duties as in-house counsel or associates at a law firm.

They might also assist with:

  • Regulatory and compliance requirements
  • Preparing case strategies
  • Assisting in the eDiscovery and Discovery stages of a legal case
  • Real estate transactions
  • Reviewing and modifying employee manuals
  • Labor and employment issues
  • Providing support to the litigation team
  • Deals related to mergers and acquisitions
  • Performing legal research
  • Intellectual property issues
  • Conducting depositions
  • Drafting settlements and contracts
  • Preparing annual documents and reports

Various businesses and law firms use contract lawyers for different purposes and roles. A law firm might need to hire a contract lawyer for specialized expertise or quick help. If a firm suddenly has a massive increase in workload, a contract lawyer could also take on some of the work to offset the stress on the other associates and partners. Contract attorneys may also help eliminate a law firm's weakness by providing specialized support.

Some law firms also provide work to contract attorneys on a temporary basis to see how well they fit with the team and the workload before offering them a position on a full-time basis.

Industries That Rely on Contract Lawyers

Contract lawyers serve various industries that require precise and legally sound agreements, including:

  • Corporate & Business Law: Ensuring legally binding agreements for commercial transactions.
  • Technology & Startups: Drafting software licenses, intellectual property protections, and partnership agreements.
  • Real Estate: Handling lease negotiations, purchase agreements, and property law compliance.
  • Healthcare: Assisting with employment agreements, vendor contracts, and compliance documents.
  • Government Contracting: Navigating complex procurement regulations and government compliance.
  • Entertainment & Sports: Drafting contracts for talent, sponsorships, and intellectual property rights.

Each industry has unique legal challenges, and a contract lawyer helps mitigate risks.

How Do I Know If I Need a Contract Attorney?

Legal contracts and agreements must follow a specific format and include specific wording in order to be binding. When you work with a contract attorney to draft and execute your contracts, the agreements will be free of any loopholes, legally enforceable, and admissible in court. Before you start the process of drafting any type of legal agreement or document, it's smart to bring in a contract attorney to take care of the entire process. You can also use this legal professional's service to review an existing contract before it is signed.

Cost of Hiring a Contract Lawyer

The cost of hiring a contract lawyer depends on various factors, including:

  • Hourly Rate: Typically ranges from $150 to $500+ per hour, depending on experience and location.
  • Flat Fee: Some services, like contract drafting or review, may be offered at a fixed price.
  • Retainer Agreement: Businesses often retain contract lawyers for ongoing legal support.

A well-drafted contract can prevent costly legal disputes, making it a worthwhile investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the primary role of a contract lawyer?
    A contract lawyer drafts, reviews, and negotiates legally binding agreements, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.
  2. How much does it cost to hire a contract lawyer?
    The cost varies based on complexity, location, and experience, ranging from hourly rates ($150–$500+) to flat fees for specific services.
  3. Do I need a contract lawyer for a business agreement?
    Yes, hiring a contract lawyer ensures that business agreements are legally enforceable, protect your interests, and prevent disputes.
  4. Can a contract lawyer help with intellectual property agreements?
    Yes, contract lawyers specialize in intellectual property contracts, including licensing agreements, confidentiality clauses, and trademark protections.
  5. How do I find a qualified contract lawyer?
    You can find experienced contract lawyers through professional legal platforms like UpCounsel, where vetted attorneys are available for contract-related legal needs.

If you need help understanding what is a contract lawyer, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.