In today’s age of the do-it-yourself entrepreneur, downloadable contract templates are more popular than ever. “Just click, customize and print.” But can you really protect your business with a one-size-fits-all solution? It turns out contracts are a lot like suits — not lawsuits, mind you, but business suits — the basics of the professional wardrobe.
No Two are Exactly the Same
The job of the tailor will exist as long as people keep living in bodies and caring about looks. An experienced needle-smith can assess the exact size and shape of your body and craft each seam of your suit to fit your dimensions precisely. The same goes for a lawyer writing a business contract — he analyzes the unique attributes of your company to maximize your protection with every line of the document. The better the lawyer, the more precise his adjustments. With no lawyer at all, you’re just buying a suit of the shelf — buckling waist, dangling sleeves, and all.
It Makes YOU Look Good
The suit you purchase off the rack gives you the basics. It’s up to the tailor to make it YOURS. To get the most out of your business contracts, you’ll want your small business lawyer to make them yours — to write them so YOU get the edge. Wherever there are rules of engagement, there’s a distinct advantage in being the writer of the rules. When you choose to work from a neutral, templated contract, you’re throwing this opportunity — and your tailor’s expertise — right out of the window.
The Rules Change Over Time
A great tailor combines timeless knowledge with an acute sense of today’s trends. He’ll help you make the right calls for this year, this season, and the exact occasion you’re dressing for. When it comes to writing business contracts, your small business lawyer can keep your documents up to date with statuses, case law and the course of your business. Last year’s suit could make you look out of place. Last year’s contract could be virtually useless in the courts.
Every business professional should have a well-tailored suit. It polishes your presence, enhances your image and inspires confidence in ways an off-the-rack solution never will. And when it comes to business relationships, a custom-crafted contract from an experienced lawyer will have just the same impact. In either case, you might pay a little extra up front, but the results can pay back a lifetime of dividends.
