Contract Drafting and Negotiation for Entrepreneurs and Business Professionals Paperback – June 8, 2018

Most Contract books follow the same format, and this one takes it up a notch other things to look for with examples.Well written, understandable, removes any guesswork, it's a keeper for the bookcase.

My perspective:I am an engineering intern with a BS in mechanical engineering and 5 years of work experience. I am pursuing a professional engineering license and I have a goal to start my own business in the next several years. I constantly feel the influence of contracts, such as those between my employer and its clients, my employer and its vendors, and especially my employer and me. Oftentimes, I feel as though I am playing a game without an understanding of the rules, but I am striving to change that.Assessment:The book's content is accessible, but not so accessible as to seem unauthoritative. It was just concise enough to read from cover-to-cover, albeit not in one sitting and not without several cups of coffee. It's list-like organization should make it a nice reference and its examples were pragmatic enough to offer an understanding of the subject.Critique:I wish the author devoted a section that referred the reader to related topics. In particular, I would have liked his suggestions about other works, if not his own, that explore the implications of contract law for employees and aspiring professionals, not just entrepreneurs and business professionals.Aside:Without having first listened to "Business Law: Contracts" by Frank Cross, I would not have had sufficient context to understand much of this information. I recommend it to anyone looking for an introduction to this subject.

I have been getting more entrepreneurial lately. I traded in my corporate job and started a consulting company. I have also been collecting real-estate and been working on some startup ideas with friends, but in all these areas I've felt intimidated by some of the legal documentation required to make all these things happen. I am not, however, the kind of person who feels comfortable completely outsourcing all these things and trusting everyone else to have my back, so I'm working on educating myself. This book on contract drafting has definitely helped me get more comfortable with contracts but also with legal documentation in general. It makes some points that stuck with me like how what's not written in a contract is at least if not more important than what is written. It helps that it's an easy read with stories strewn throughout that serve as examples of how certain, many times simple, mistakes can result in unintended outcomes that can be very good or bad depending on which side you're on. If you are interested in learning more about contracts and the law then you should definitely read this book!

It was a good read. I could refresh my lots of basic concepts...

Although the book is titled "Contract Drafting and Negotiation for Entrepreneurs and Business Professionals" -- for me, a practicing attorney for 24 years, I consider it a fantastic reference guide for for legal and business practitioners from all areas of the business to learn about and watch out for. Ideally, once contract is negotiated and the business relationship begins -- the contract itself is stuffed in a drawer (electronic or physical) and never looked at again until and unless the business parties have a problem with each other. So getting the contract done right --before being stuffed in that drawer-- is obviously critical. This book is a common sense guide for complex, challenging transactional issues. Somehow, the author has successfully synthesized very challenging subject matter into 130ish pages; a doable read for anyone. Smart C-levels will make this a must-read for anyone in their company who will partake in business relationships that involve contracting (i.e., basically, every single one). What's also great about this book is that it doesn't just cover basic contracts and licensing, but also professional services, service level agreements, intellectual property, and other legal quagmires like contract termination, warranties, limitations of liability and damages. I highly recommend this book and would not be surprised if savvy law professors utilize it in their courses, as it provides practical solutions for legal and business professionals at all levels.

Put this book high on your gift list. Better yet, buy it today for yourself and get extra copies for anyone that negotiates or fulfills contracts for you or your company. It is mercifully succinct compared to most books on contracts. This one will actually get read and be understood. Swegle has a passion for helping people develop confidence negotiating and entering binding written agreements -- all in an easily understood writing style perfect for non-lawyers. The many great ideas can be implemented immediately in your real world of business dealings. Readers will be rewarded with powerful knowledge, and learn to avoid the most common errors that lead to distracting disputes. If things do go awry, Swegle has great advice about when and how to involve lawyers. Keep this book at your desk, and it will help you enter contracts that make sense for your company.