Don't Sign That Yet! Series: Tools and Tips for Identifying and Avoiding Common Traps in Commercial Contracts

Like chocolate and peanut butter, contract negotiation skills and contract dispute experience are two great things that work even better together.  Some common contract provisions frequently generate litigation, either because they are unclear as drafted, or because they operate in an unexpected and undesirable way.  At Crowell & Moring, our corporate lawyers and our commercial litigators take a collaborative approach, using integrated corporate and litigation strategies to draft and structure contracts to reduce the likelihood of disputes.

Crowell & Moring invites you to attend a breakfast series workshop hosted by the firm’s Corporate and Litigation Groups, to share the fruits of this unique, collaborative approach.  So plan to come with your sleeves rolled up to our decidedly un-fancy, but highly practical, workshop for those whose job it is to worry about getting contracts just right.

Breakfast Workshop 1 – November 15, 2012

Topics Include:
• When good might be better than best – “best efforts” vs. “good faith” vs. “commercially reasonable” standards.
• What does “material” really mean anyway?
• It’s a matter of perspective – how to draft a work-for-hire provision that will make sure you get what you paid for, and avoid giving away valuable IP.
• Recitals – what are they worth?

Agenda

8:00 am – 8:30 am
Registration and Networking Breakfast

8:30 am – 10:30 am
Presentation and Panel Discussion

10:30 am – 11:00 am
Questions and Wrap-up

Future Breakfast Workshops Will Include: 
• Indemnity provisions
• Representations and warranties provisions (including disclaimers)
• Limitations of liability
• Liquidated damages/termination fee/alternative performance/take-or-pay provisions
• Term and termination
• Dispute resolution provisions (including arbitration provisions, jury waivers, choice of forum, choice of law and attorneys’ fees provisions)