Chevy Chase Contracts Attorneys

Lawyers Assisting With Contracts for Businesses in Chevy Chase, MD

Chevy Chase is home to a community of professional firms, medical and dental practices, financial advisors, upscale retailers, and restaurants. Because Chevy Chase is located next to the District of Columbia line, companies may hire employees who live in D.C., sign leases in Maryland, and serve clients from throughout the region. The contracts businesses use may need to account for more than one set of laws.

At Fox & Moghul, we help business owners in Chevy Chase create and maintain contracts that fit into the ways they operate. Our attorneys provide knowledgeable, practical guidance on Maryland business law and the issues that are common in this area. We will respond promptly to our clients' questions and concerns and work to put agreements in place that will protect their businesses.

Employment Agreements

An employment agreement needs to set clear expectations between a business and the people it hires. Most agreements should address the following core terms:

• Position and Duties: A contract should describe the role, the reporting structure, and the employee's expected hours or availability.
• Compensation and Benefits: Salary, bonus eligibility, commission formulas, and benefits should be spelled out so that there is no confusion about what has been earned.
• Nature of Employment: Maryland generally follows the at-will employment rule. An agreement should state whether employment is at will or whether it may be ended only for specific causes.
• Governing Law: For employers near the D.C. line, an agreement may need to specify which jurisdiction's law applies and where disputes will be resolved.

Restrictive Covenants

Clauses that restrict what employees may do during or after their employment can protect a company. They may include non-compete, non-disclosure, and non-solicitation agreements. These provisions must be drafted carefully to ensure that they will be enforceable.

Non-Compete Clauses

A non-compete agreement may bar a former employee from working for a competitor after leaving a company. However, the restrictions must apply within a reasonable time and area. Maryland prohibits these clauses for lower-wage workers, and when disputes arise, courts may examine the language used closely.

Employers with workers based in the District of Columbia may face even tighter limits. The District prohibits non-competes for most employees who earn less than a specific compensation threshold. A Chevy Chase firm whose employees work from offices or homes in D.C. will need to take steps to ensure that non-compete clauses will be enforceable.

Non-Solicitation Clauses

When a non-compete is not available or may not be practical, a non-solicitation clause can protect certain key relationships. For a wealth management firm or another type of business, a clause preventing a departing advisor from contacting the firm's clients for one year may be far more valuable than a broad restriction on working in the industry.

Non-Disclosure Clauses

Confidentiality provisions can protect client lists, pricing, patient records, and details related to business strategies. Non-disclosure clauses may need to carve out communications that the law protects. For example, firms regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission are prohibited from using confidentiality agreements to prevent someone from reporting possible securities violations.

Supplier and Service Contracts

Agreements with suppliers and service providers can keep a business running day to day. The terms included in these contracts will need to address issues such as:

Scope of Work

The contract should describe exactly what will be delivered or performed, including specifications, quantities, and any items that are excluded. A change order process can help prevent disputes during a project or when ongoing work is provided.

Payment Terms

The agreement should state the price, deposit requirements, invoicing schedule, and payment deadlines. For construction and renovation projects, Maryland's mechanic's lien law may allow unpaid contractors and suppliers to place a lien on the property. Property owners and tenants may need to ensure that lien waivers are included.

Deadlines and Delays

When a contract includes firm deadlines, milestones, and consequences for delays, both parties will have accountability. A contract can include language detailing when certain events may excuse delays.

Acceptance and Warranties

Businesses can benefit from a defined inspection period and a process for rejecting unsatisfactory work. Warranty terms in a contract should explain how long the provider will be required to correct defects without extra charges.

Other Contracts Businesses May Use

Partnership agreements allow co-owners to set profit shares, decision-making authority, and buyout terms. Professional practices in Chevy Chase will often organize as limited liability partnerships, which can protect partners from personal liability for certain partnership obligations.

Commercial lease agreements can affect some of a business's largest costs. Beyond rent and maintenance, leases should address who will be responsible for accessibility compliance. The Americans with Disabilities Act can apply to both landlords and tenants of buildings with public accommodations, so a lease should detail who will be responsible for ramps, restrooms, and other required features.

Our team also prepares LLC operating agreements, independent contractor agreements, technology licensing agreements, asset purchase agreements, and other types of business contracts.

Contact Our Chevy Chase, Maryland Business Contract Lawyers

Well-crafted contracts can help a business keep its talent and its clients, while ensuring that it can operate successfully. The lawyers at Fox & Moghul can draft, review, and negotiate the agreements that businesses rely on. Contact our Chevy Chase, MD contract negotiation attorneys at 301-409-5316 to arrange a consultation with our legal team.