What is the Role of a Contract Lawyer?
Contract lawyers specialize in the negotiation and preparation of transactions of all shapes and sizes, relating to all kinds of contracts. They might be engaged in one transaction one day and be working on another the next, or they might be working on a single contract for an extended period.
A contract attorney usually works for a law firm, large or small. Contract lawyers are most often hired by big corporations looking to bring a new product to market, or to merge with another company, among other things. A dispute or default might require a government contract lawyer to negotiate a remedy. Companies will also hire contract lawyers to review contracts or revisions proposed by the other party . Contract lawyers may be assigned to work on projects in-house and be contracted for the long run.
There is no typical project. Contract lawyers for companies or law firms might write or review a wide range of contracts, including real estate development deals, software licensing agreements, distribution contracts, outsourcing agreements, employment contracts and much more. Depending on the desires of the employer, the contract attorney might work independently or as part of a team on large projects. In smaller transactions, the contract lawyer might meet directly with clients. In larger deals, the contract attorney works with the client to gather information for the agreement.
How to Become a Contract Lawyer Through Education
Becoming a contract lawyer requires several steps of education and training, including undergraduate courses, law school and commonly certification or specialization in the area of contracts law. Undergraduate courses tend to focus on business rather than legal coursework, with classes that can include personal finance, accounting, finance, marketing and more. Depending on the institution, contract law may be offered as a class, though generally contract law will be a subject covered more in depth at the law school level.
Law school is focused on different aspects of the law, too, including contracts, intellectual property, and other areas that tend to be more specialized. In the case of contract law, contract negotiation, breach of contract, disputes, contracts for goods vs. those for services, and other aspects of contracts law are studied intensely.
Many contract lawyers continue their education with an advanced degree in contracts or jurisprudence. Depending on the state and institution, there may also be the option to take tests to become certified in contracts law through the state bar.
The Process of Becoming a Licensed Contract Lawyer
To practice contract law legally, a contract lawyer must have a legal license. Licensing requirements for contract lawyers are essentially the same as for a "regular" lawyer. To earn a license to practice law, you must first pass the bar exam in the state where you wish to practice law. Licensing requirements vary from state to state and, in some cases, even from one local jurisdiction to another within a state. Most of those requirements include some or all of a four-part process, which consists of the following:
Application: You must send an application to the state bar committee in the state in which you wish to be formally licensed. The application process often includes submitting two background checks: one performed by the FBI and one performed by the Committee on Bar Examiners.
Bar Exam: Once the committee has approved your application, you will be invited to sit for the bar exam, which consists of three parts: ethics, essays and a multiple choice test. Each portion of the exam focuses on a different aspect of the law. Passing the bar exam is rather difficult, but it can be done with diligent study. Remember, the committee only wants to determine if you understand the law and practice it within the confines of the ethical rules.
Character and fitness evaluation: Before you are approved by the Board of Bar Overseers to practice law, you must also pass a character and fitness evaluation. Each applicant is asked to provide detailed information about their finances, computer use and other personal information.
Swearing in: Once you pass the exam, you are allowed to attend a swearing in ceremony. This is an opportunity for your family and friends to witness the event. Then, the clerk will present you with your certificate and you are free to start practicing law. Once you pass this exam, you are guaranteed a license to practice law in your state. It is very rare to be denied a license after passing the bar exam and character evaluations.
Finding Related Experience as a Contract Lawyer
In addition to helping aspiring contract lawyers hone their skills, an internship, clerkship, or entry-level position can also help them get their foot in the door and meet important connections that could yield future job opportunities.
Internships are commonly held by law students while they’re still in school. Interns typically have the option to work part or full-time, either during the academic year or over the summer. Clerkships are held by those who have already graduated from law school, and they can last from a couple of weeks to a few months. The goal of these short-term positions is to provide aspiring contract lawyers with valuable, practical experience in the field, as well as an opportunity to connect with experienced contract lawyers and judges. These professionals are the perfect contacts to have in your professional network, as they can help you find a good contract lawyer job.
Even if you didn’t have the opportunity to obtain a coveted clerkship while in law school, you may be able to boost your resume and gain practical experience by taking on an entry-level position. This could mean taking an admin role, however, it could also involve working as a clerk or paralegal for a law firm that specializes in contract law.
Practical experience is imperative if you want to do well in your contract law practice. It’s not unusual for contract lawyers fresh out of school to have difficulty communicating with clients and peers. However, every month spent in the field will help aspiring contract lawyers build real-world experience and learn how to interact with clients and judges.
Skills You Need to Become a Contract Lawyer
At the heart of contract law is the ability to communicate effectively in a manner that is beneficial for all parties involved. Whether directly interacting with clients, conferring with other legal professionals, or drafting documentation, it is imperative a contract lawyer understand the intended outcomes of each possible scenario, and to provide sound legal advice on how best to navigate them. Lawyers assist clients in settling negotiations by reaching legal agreements that are in their best interests; contract lawyers do the same, but they also often spend time conferring with clients and legal professionals for the purposes of drafting agreements, closing complex business activities, and negotiating unique transactions , as required. Contract lawyers are often hired by partners within a law firm to assist with high-profile legal cases, but they also work for private businesses and major government agencies. Businesses rely on contract lawyers, for instance, to assist with mergers, acquisitions, licensing, and procuring government contracts. Government agencies, meanwhile, hire contract lawyers to negotiate bids and procurements. Contract lawyers must pay attention to detail and be able to analyze legal documents and agreements for weaknesses. They must also take the time to research legal criteria and requirements as needed in order to better serve clients. But most importantly, it is important that contract lawyers be able to communicate effectively, so that they can communicate these discoveries to clients via verbal and written means.
Career Opportunities as a Contract Lawyer
The field of contract law offers a diverse array of career opportunities. Some contract lawyers are generalists; others specialize in niche practices. Contract lawyers may stay with the same client through one of the major temp legal staffing agencies like Axiom, or move around to various clients through the legal staffing agencies. No single career path defines contract lawyers. The following provides a snapshot of some of today’s most popular career paths for contract attorneys:
Private Practice
Some contract lawyers work in law firms that specialize in short-term project work, while others maintain a general practice that includes contract law. Those seeking contract law jobs can potentially find an opportunity in corporate securities work, for example, working under securities lawyers that need extra support. Skilled corporate real estate lawyers may also be able to secure contract law jobs with larger law firms that have extra rural property.
Corporate In-House Counsel
Legal temp staffing agencies provide talented lawyers for both short and long assignments as in-house counsels for corporations. These in-house lawyers may work on anything from real estate to patent law and everything in between.
Government Contract Lawyers
Many government agencies hire contract attorneys to review customary legal documents such as non-disclosure agreements and policies. Although legal staffing agencies do not typically place contract lawyers with non-profits or government agencies, it can be done.
Professional Development and Continuing Education
Continuing education is a vital component of professional development for contract lawyers. A successful contract attorney is often asked to demonstrate their expertise before, during, and after their engagements. Some firms are proud to have accredited contract lawyers that possess advanced certifications (post-bar certifications) that sets them apart from the general practitioners. The National Association of Legal Assistants charges nearly $300 to become a Certified Paralegal. Nowadays when law firms require certifications, the cost to obtain that certification often resembles that of a college education. Therefore, staying up-to-date with your training pays off over time.
For someone to be of value to future employers , they must develop a specialization in a certain area of the law. Ongoing training keeps contract attorneys (and their clients) abreast of legal changes that would affect how that specialization works in practice.
This also helps contract lawyers him/her/themself. Legal practitioners who do not stay current on their areas of interest may soon find themselves out of work or unable to land a contract. As the old saying goes, "can’t teach an old dog new tricks." New attorneys that take the time – and make the investments – to get up to speed on contemporary issues and the latest regulatory matters may just build a greater reputation than veteran attorneys that ignore their training obligations. Continuing education and professional development are even more streamlined now than ever. Live webinars and other online events hold many benefits for contract attorneys. In a world where information is at your fingertips, there’s really no excuse for not getting enough quality continuing education above the state bar requirement to be truly relevant to your niche clients.