Commercial Contracts
Contracts set out who does what, who pays for what and what happens when something goes wrong. We draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements so they reflect the deal you meant to make and allocate risk in a way you can live with.
Review a contractWhat does our commercial contracts practice cover?
The terms that cause trouble are rarely the ones people negotiate hardest. Liability caps, indemnities, termination rights, renewal mechanics and governing law tend to be accepted from a template, then read closely only when the relationship has broken down.
We read the agreement against the commercial deal, flag the terms that matter for your position and propose language the other side can realistically accept.
Key points
- Liability caps, indemnities and termination rights decide who pays when a deal goes wrong.
- Automatic renewal terms can bind a business for another full term if a notice date is missed.
- A short issues list before redlines keeps negotiation focused on the terms that matter.
Services
- Who we advise
- Companies entering new commercial relationships, renegotiating existing agreements or managing contractual risk.
- What clients usually need
- Clear, enforceable agreements that reflect the commercial arrangement and help manage disputes.
- Law we apply
- Uniform Commercial Code, Article 2, as adopted in Illinois (810 ILCS 5/2)
- Illinois Automatic Contract Renewal Act (815 ILCS 601)
- Illinois limitations period for written contracts (735 ILCS 5/13-206)
- Reviewed by
- Daniel Vale, Founding Partner, on
- Commercial agreements
- Service agreements
- Master services agreements
- Vendor and supplier contracts
- Non-disclosure agreements
- Licensing agreements
- Distribution agreements
- Partnership and collaboration agreements
- Contract amendments and renewals
- Contract dispute assessment
Typical situations
Where clients come to us
Examples of the situations we see most often. Each matter is different, so these describe the kind of help available rather than a promised result.
A large customer's paper
An enterprise customer sends its standard MSA with uncapped indemnities. We identify the terms to push back on and the ones worth accepting to close the deal.
A template that no longer fits
A services company has outgrown the agreement it wrote at launch. We rebuild it around how the business now delivers, prices and invoices work.
A supplier missing deadlines
A key supplier keeps delivering late. We review the remedies the contract actually provides before the client decides whether to terminate.
How we work
Issues list first
Reviews start with a short list of the terms that matter, ranked by risk, before any redlines go to the other side.
Negotiation support
We can negotiate directly with the counterparty or stay in the background while your team leads the conversation.
Fixed fees where possible
Standard reviews and template drafting are often quoted at a fixed fee once we have seen the document.
Useful for a first conversation
- The draft or signed agreement and any schedules
- A summary of the commercial terms agreed so far
- Your deadline for signing or responding
- Any correspondence about points already in dispute
Common questions
General questionsHow long does a contract review take?
Most standard commercial agreements can be reviewed within three to five business days. Complex or high-value agreements take longer, and we confirm timing before starting.
Can you review a contract we have already signed?
Yes. We can explain your obligations and rights under the signed agreement, and the options for amending or ending it.
Do you offer contract templates?
We prepare templates for clients based on their business, rather than selling generic forms. A template drafted for how you operate is easier to use and defend.
Related practice areas
Often handled alongside
Commercial Disputes and Litigation
Advice and representation in contract, partnership, shareholder and other business disputes.
Intellectual Property and Technology Law
Ownership, licensing and protection of brands, software and proprietary information.
Corporate and Business Law
Formation, ownership, governance and the transactions that change a company's shape.
Consultations
Review a contract
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Submitting an inquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship, and we cannot guarantee that we can take on every matter. If you face an urgent deadline, such as a court filing, please call the office.