Should I have an attorney look over my employment contract?

By Elizabeth S. Tuck, Lawyer Referral Service Panelist

Yes. Having an attorney review and explain your contract before you sign helps you understand your obligations during and after your employment. You have the strongest leverage with a new employer when you receive an offer. It is much easier to renegotiate the terms of a contract at the time it is entered into rather than seeking to reopen negotiations once a binding agreement has been reached. Your employment contract terms could impact your compensation, job security, severance, stock ownership, benefits, ownership of any intellectual property, or ability to work after leaving the company, to name just a few.  Even if all or part of the contract turns out to be non-negotiable, you will have a clear idea of what to expect going forward. 

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