Practice Area
Contracts
Careful drafting, thorough review, and skilled negotiation of contracts that protect your interests and hold up under Oregon law.
Overview
A Bad Contract Costs Far More Than a Good Attorney
Contracts govern almost every significant relationship and transaction in business and in life. A well-drafted agreement prevents disputes before they start. A poorly worded one — or one signed without fully understanding its terms — can create unexpected liability, limit your rights, or lock you into arrangements that no longer serve you.
Margaret L. Harmon has drafted, reviewed, and negotiated contracts across real estate, employment, construction, and business matters for over 32 years. She reads contracts carefully, identifies provisions that are missing, ambiguous, or unfavorable, and negotiates changes that reflect the actual bargain — not the other side's preferred outcome.
Whether you need a contract drafted from scratch or reviewed before you sign, engaging experienced legal counsel at this stage is almost always far less expensive than litigating a dispute after the fact. All consultations are fee-based and by appointment only.
Types of Contracts We Handle
Contract Review & Drafting
Before You Sign
Don't sign a contract you haven't had reviewed by an attorney. Schedule a fee-based consultation to discuss your contract needs.
Schedule a Consultation (503) 842-7731How We Can Help
Contract Services
Contract Drafting
A contract drafted by an attorney protects you from the outset. Margaret writes agreements that are clear, complete, and enforceable under Oregon law — covering the situations you hope never arise, because those are exactly the ones that matter when a dispute occurs.
Contract Review
Before you sign anything significant — an employment agreement, a commercial lease, a business purchase contract — Margaret reviews it carefully, explains what you are agreeing to in plain terms, identifies problematic provisions, and recommends specific changes.
Contract Negotiation
Most contracts are more negotiable than they appear. Margaret negotiates on your behalf — identifying which provisions matter most, trading lower-value terms for higher-value ones, and reaching an agreement both parties can actually perform under.
Employment Contracts
Employment agreements govern the most important relationship most people have — their livelihood. Margaret drafts and reviews offer letters, employment contracts, non-disclosure agreements, non-compete clauses, and severance agreements for both employers and employees.
Real Estate & Construction
Purchase and sale agreements, construction contracts, commercial leases, easements, and options to purchase all require careful drafting and review. Margaret protects buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, property owners, and contractors at every stage of real estate and construction transactions.
Business & Settlement Agreements
Business purchase agreements, partnership agreements, promissory notes, and settlement agreements require precise language that reflects the actual deal reached. Margaret drafts and reviews these documents to ensure they are enforceable and protect your interests long after the handshake.
What to Expect
How the Process Works
Understand Your Goals
We start by understanding what you need the contract to do — what relationships it governs, what risks you need to manage, and what outcome you are trying to protect. This shapes every provision that follows.
Draft or Review
For new agreements, we draft clear, enforceable language from scratch. For existing agreements, we read every provision carefully — identifying what is missing, what is ambiguous, and what exposes you to unacceptable risk.
Negotiate Terms
When changes are needed, we negotiate directly or advise you on how to negotiate — prioritizing the provisions that matter most, and explaining which concessions are acceptable and which are not worth making.
Finalize & Execute
We confirm the final agreement reflects everything negotiated, that all parties have authority to sign, and that the execution formalities — signatures, witnesses, notarization, recording — are handled correctly and completely.
Common Questions
Contract FAQ
Do I really need a lawyer to review my contract?
For significant transactions — employment agreements, real estate deals, business purchases, construction contracts — yes. Legal review costs a fraction of what a contract dispute costs to litigate. Many problems that end up in court could have been resolved with a single hour of attorney time before the ink dried.
Is everything in a contract negotiable?
More than most people realize. Even form contracts presented as standard often have room for modification. Understanding which provisions to push on — and which to leave alone — is where 32 years of experience makes a measurable difference. The other side's "standard terms" are standard for a reason, and it is not your benefit.
What makes a contract unenforceable?
Common issues include lack of consideration, ambiguous or contradictory terms, unconscionable provisions, illegal subject matter, or a party who lacked legal authority or capacity to sign. Margaret identifies these issues before you sign — or after, if a dispute has already arisen and you need to assess your position.
How long does contract drafting take?
Simple agreements can often be completed within a few business days once we understand your needs. More complex contracts — business acquisitions, construction agreements, or employment arrangements requiring negotiation — may take longer. Margaret provides a realistic timeline at the outset of every engagement.
Get In Touch
Don't Sign Until
You've Had It Reviewed
A contract review is one of the highest-value legal services available. Schedule a fee-based consultation with Margaret L. Harmon before you commit to any significant agreement.
32+
Years Experience
Draft
Review & Negotiate
All
Contract Types
OR
State Licensed