If you have multiple business owners, an operating agreement or similar document is essential. (It may be called an operating agreement, partnership agreement, or corporate bylaws depending on your business structure).

An operating agreement creates a legal basis for fundamental business questions, like:

• How are you splitting ownership (equity)?
• What is each business partner’s role and what are they expected to contribute?
• What happens if an investor wants equity in the future?
• How can a partner exit the business?
• What happens if you want to sell the business?

Even so, this key legal document is often overlooked. At Gordon Law, our skilled attorneys will help you craft a strong, customized, and legally binding operating agreement.

Master Service Agreement (MSA)

A Master Service Agreement (MSA) is the standard contract that all your clients should sign. If you want to protect yourself against business contract disputes, make sure this contract is ironclad.

Think of it this way: Your Master Service Agreement should, as much as possible, protect you against everything that could possibly go wrong with a client. Our experienced Chicago contract lawyers have years of experience drafting these legal documents, so we’ll ensure no detail goes overlooked.

Statement of Work (SOW)

A Statement of Work (SOW) typically goes alongside a Master Service Agreement and is more customized to a specific job. The SOW may contain deadlines, payment terms, and other project-specific details. 

Our team can help you create a rock-solid template that can be customized to your needs.

Employment contracts define the terms of your relationship with employees. It’s essential that your employment contracts follow federal, state, and local laws. 

If an employee is receiving equity compensation, such as stock options, then the terms of this agreement are defined in an employment contract. 

Our attorneys can assist with employment contracts for companies located in Illinois.

No matter which industry you’re in, you’ll probably need to work with independent contractors at some point. With well-crafted independent contractor agreements, you can set the terms for a profitable relationship and protect yourself against underperformance.

Does your business have a website? Then you need a Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. These legal documents define how you collect, store, and use customer data. It’s essential that they comply with federal, state, local, and even international regulations. 

If your website is an important part of your business, then your Privacy Policy and Terms of Service should be reviewed annually.

Bringing in an investor is no small matter, and it’s wise to hire a professional contract lawyer to help you. 

The terms of your investment agreement can make the difference between a success story and a horror story. Our attorneys have years of experience representing both sides, so we can help you secure a favorable deal.