Avoiding Contract Disputes With Well-Drafted Terms: Drafting and Negotiating Tips for Ensuring Favorable Outcomes

Course Details
- smart_display Format
On-Demand
- signal_cellular_alt Difficulty Level
Intermediate
- work Practice Area
Commercial Law
- event Date
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
- schedule Time
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
- timer Program Length
90 minutes
-
This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.
This CLE webinar will discuss how to negotiate and draft contract terms that protect the interests of all parties and safeguard against potential disputes. The presenters will provide drafting tips for clarity and favorable outcomes and offer strategies for navigating disputes when they arise.
Faculty

Mr. Hall is an experienced litigator who represents clients in a wide range of trials and appeals in state and federal courts. He excels at taking complex fact patterns and legal arguments and crafting concise, logical and persuasive arguments to present to courts and juries. Clients benefit from Mr. Hall’s extensive trial experience, which includes jury and bench trials involving patent infringement, trustee liability, breach of contract, partnership and shareholder disputes, employment termination, and usurpation of business opportunities.

Mr. Richie is an experienced litigation attorney who represents individuals and businesses in complex commercial disputes. He works shoulder-to-shoulder with his clients, leading legal strategy and thorough trial preparation to achieve his clients’ business outcomes. Mr. Richie represents a wide range of clients, from Fortune 100 companies in high-stakes federal court trials and arbitrations, to small businesses, shareholders, and individuals in ownership disputes.
Description
Contracts serve as the foundation upon which transactions are built, and a well-drafted contract can not only facilitate a smooth flow of operations but also act as a safeguard against potential disputes. Being proactive at the negotiation and drafting phase of a contractual relationship can help maximize a client's advantage should litigation or a dispute become unavoidable.
Relying on boilerplate or recurrent contractual language ignores the unique nature of each contract and the relationship between the parties. Instead, each clause needs to be assessed with the client's interests in mind as well as an eye toward disputes.
Listen as our authoritative presenters provide practical tips and strategies for simplifying contracts that meet a client's needs, minimize risks, and place the client in a solid position in the event a dispute or litigation is unavoidable.
Outline
- Overview: the importance of well-drafted contract provisions
- Avoiding ambiguous terms to reduce the risk of future disputes and potential litigation
- Strategies for maximizing a client's advantage should litigation become unavoidable
- Using simplified language and clear definitions to limit different interpretations
- Overlapping and interlocking agreements: interaction between agreements must be clear
- Amending contracts: ensuring consistency with old and new terms
- Key considerations, tips, and strategies for navigating contract disputes when they arise
Benefits
The panel will review these and other key issues:
- What are contract drafting strategies for maximizing a client's advantage should litigation become unavoidable?
- How should overlapping and interlocking agreements be addressed in a contract?
- What are strategies that place a client in a favorable position in the event a dispute arises?
- What are key considerations for amending contracts to resolve disputes and avoid litigation?
Unlimited access to premium CLE courses:
- Annual access
- Available live and on-demand
- Best for attorneys and legal professionals
Unlimited access to premium CPE courses.:
- Annual access
- Available live and on-demand
- Best for CPAs and tax professionals
Unlimited access to premium CLE, CPE, Professional Skills and Practice-Ready courses.:
- Annual access
- Available live and on-demand
- Best for legal, accounting, and tax professionals
Related Courses

USTR Final Action on Port Entry Fees for Chinese-Operated, -Owned, and -Built Vessels; Non-U.S. Built Vehicle Carriers
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT

Supply Agreements: Structuring Defense, Indemnity, and Insurance Provisions
Thursday, May 29, 2025
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT

M&A Asset Sales vs. Stock Sales: Pros and Cons of Each Structure, Buyer and Seller Preferences, Negotiation Strategies
Friday, May 23, 2025
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
Recommended Resources
Navigating Modern Legal Challenges: A Comprehensive Guide
- Business & Professional Skills
- Career Advancement
How to Build a Standout Personal Brand Without Sacrificing Billable Hours
- Career Advancement