What to Look for in Employment Contract Lawyers

Has your employer asked you to sign a contract governing the terms of your employment? If so, you should consider having an experienced attorney review the contract’s language, advise you on its fairness and legality, and potentially negotiate on your behalf for better terms.

Since your employment contract could affect you for years to come, you don’t want just any lawyer to represent you during this process. You want to know that your legal counsel has the experience and background to effectively advocate for you. That’s why it helps to understand what qualities to look for in a prospective employment contract lawyer.

Understanding of Employment Contracts

One of the primary qualifications you should look for in employment contract lawyers includes a thorough understanding of how employment agreements work and the law governing these contracts. The employment attorney you hire should have extensive experience reviewing and negotiating all types of employment contracts. An experienced attorney will know what your employment contract should cover and have insight into solutions to help you negotiate a fair deal with an employer. They should also have in-depth knowledge of employment laws to review contract terms for potentially illegal and unenforceable provisions.

Focus Within Employment Law

The attorney you choose to review and advise you on your employment contract should have a professional focus on employment law. An attorney who practices primarily or exclusively in employment law matters will develop deep knowledge of the rules and regulations that govern employment contracts.

Employment law attorneys can thoroughly explain your rights and obligations under an employment contract and applicable laws. They can also identify potentially problematic contract provisions that may violate employment statutes, such as unreasonable non-compete clauses or unfair arbitration agreements.

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Qualifications and Experience

You should always evaluate an attorney’s experience and qualifications to handle your case. An ideal attorney will have extensive experience in reviewing and negotiating both general employment contracts and your particular contract type. For instance, you may need to look for an attorney with experience negotiating one of the following specialized types of employment contracts:

• Consulting agreements
• Freelance agreements
• Physician/dentist employment agreements
• Executive employment agreements
• Equity compensation agreements
• Per diem contracts

You’ll also want to be sure an employment contract attorney is licensed to practice law in Florida. You can verify that a lawyer is in good standing with the Florida Bar on their website. Other qualifications to consider include whether they have received any awards or are affiliated with any employment law associations, such as the Labor and Employment Section of the Florida Bar or the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA).

Client Communication and Transparency

The complex and time-consuming process of negotiating an employment agreement makes finding an attorney who prioritizes client communication and transparency critical to making it as low-stress as possible. During an initial consultation with an employment law attorney, you can ask them about their communication style to ensure they will speak with you in a manner you prefer.

For instance, you might ask the attorney questions such as:

• How often will they contact you to update you on the status of the contract negotiations?
• How can you reach them if you have questions or concerns?
• How quickly will they respond to emails, voicemails, or text messages?

You might also consider whether an attorney will take a transparent approach with you. For example:

• When you ask the attorney a legal question, do they give a clear, understandable answer that avoids “legalese?”
• Do you feel that the attorney will provide you with an honest assessment or advice?
• Will they let you know when an employer won’t agree to a term that’s critical to you?

Finding an attorney who is honest and communicates in a way that works well for you can help you build an effective working relationship with your legal counsel.

Fee Structure and Affordability

When evaluating attorneys to help you negotiate employment contracts, you should also consider their fee structure. Many attorneys work on an hourly fee basis when handling employment contract negotiations. However, some attorneys may offer flat fee arrangements for less complex employment agreement reviews or negotiations. You can better evaluate whether a lawyer is a good fit for your case when you understand how they will charge to review and negotiate your employment contract.

When to Hire an Employment Contract Lawyer

You should hire an employment contract lawyer as soon as an employer presents you with a contract. Although you can seek legal counsel on the agreement and suggest changes to contract terms, the employer might not hold your position open indefinitely while you consider it. An employment contract attorney can:

• Review a proposed agreement promptly
• Explain its terms and what they mean for your rights and responsibilities
• Identify potential red flags, areas of concern, or contract provisions that might violate employment laws
• Negotiate for any changes that need to be made to the contract
• Ensure your employment rights are protected
• Represent you and pursue legal action if your employer breaches your employment contract

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