“To exist as an interpreter of the law, you first have to follow that law yourself. Law is the glue that holds society together. It’s flawed but absolute, and corruption only hinders its progress.” – Rebecca McNutt
Are you the owner of an SME (Small Medium Enterprise)? Or, are you a senior manager of a multinational organization? It does not matter what size your business is or whether you are a business owner or manager.
Every company, irrespective of its size, will need to draw up legal contracts at some stage in the organization’s lifecycle. Therefore, to ensure a valid contract that protects the interests of everyone involved, it is vital to consult with a specialized legal expert like a business lawyer in Warren, PA.
In order to understand the intricacies of contract law, let’s consider the various roles and responsibilities of a corporate attorney.
Maintain a high standard of integrity
It is vital for any attorney, especially a corporate attorney, to maintain an extremely high standard of personal and professional integrity. Some of the business contracts that an attorney works with are worth billions of US dollars.
And, the temptation to take kickbacks or money under the table might be very tempting. Thus, as the quotation mentioned above by Rebecca McNutt highlights, it is critical that, to interpret the law, a business lawyer needs to follow the law first.
Have an intimate understanding of corporate law
According to Wikipedia.com, US law “comprises many levels of codified and uncodified forms of law, of which the most important is the United States Constitution, the foundation of the federal government of the United States.”
Thus, most lawyers specialize in one or more parts of the greater legal framework. For example, business lawyers have an intimate knowledge and understanding of the US corporate law, including contractual laws and obligations. Furthermore, criminal attorneys specialize in all aspects of criminal law. And personal injury lawyers ensure that they are au fait with the intricacies of the Tort Law.
Thus, it is crucial to ensure that you consult with a lawyer who has specialized in the area of the law that you need advice on and assistance with.
Have excellent listening and communications skills
Lawyers deal with people every day. One of their primary functions is to advise their clients on what direction to take. The only way that an attorney can achieve this is to ensure that he/she has excellent listening and communication skills.
Additionally, it is imperative to note that an attorney often has to interpret what the client says into the appropriate legal jargon and vice versa. The client cannot be expected to know and understand all the legalese that is used in contract law.
Final thoughts
In essence, a legal contract has to ensure that it holds weight in a court of law. Thus, the onus is on the attorney to ensure that the correct terminology, framework, and body of the contract is based on the current US law. Otherwise, the legal agreement will be meaningless, and it will not stand up under judicial scrutiny should it be brought before a judge and jury.
