For Client, Vendor, and Employee Agreements
General Checklist (All Contracts)
Clear Identification of Parties
Full legal names, addresses, and contact details of both parties.
Detailed description of deliverables, timelines, and expectations.
Amount, due dates, late fees, and accepted payment methods.
Term & Termination Clause
Duration of agreement and conditions for termination (e.g., notice period).
Confidentiality & Non-Disclosure (NDA) (If applicable)
Protects sensitive business/client information.
How conflicts will be handled (mediation, arbitration, litigation).
State/country whose laws apply to the contract.
Signed by authorized representatives and dated. Client Contracts (Service Agreements)
Project Scope & Deliverables
Clearly defined tasks, milestones, and deadlines.
Revisions & Change Orders
Process and fees for scope changes.
Intellectual Property (IP) Rights
Who owns the work product (e.g., designs, code, content)?
Fees for overdue invoices (e.g., 1.5% monthly interest).
Kill Fee/Cancellation Policy
Refund policy or charges for early termination. Vendor/Supplier Agreements
Product/Service Specifications
Quality standards, quantity, and delivery schedules.
Bulk discounts, payment schedules, and penalties for delays.
Vendor’s responsibility for defective goods/services.
Exclusivity Clause (If applicable)
Are they your sole supplier (or vice versa)?
Covers unforeseen events (e.g., natural disasters) delaying obligations. Employee/Independent Contractor Agreements
Job title, duties, and performance expectations.
Salary/hourly rate, bonuses, PTO, and healthcare (if applicable).
Remote/hybrid policies, core hours, and overtime rules.
Confidentiality & Non-Compete (If applicable)
Limits on sharing trade secrets or working with competitors.
Clarifies IP ownership (e.g., inventions, designs).
At-Will vs. Fixed-Term Employment
Can employment be terminated at any time, or is there a fixed period? Post-Signing Steps
Store contracts securely (cloud + physical copies)
Set reminders for renewals/termination deadlines
Review annually (or when laws/taxes change)
Consult a lawyer for high-stakes agreements (e.g., mergers, complex partnerships) Pro Tips
Use templates (e.g., DocuSign , LawDepot ) but customize for your business.
Never handshake deals—always get it in writing!
State-specific rules apply (e.g., non-competes are illegal in California).
