“A bible for transactional lawyers and entrepreneurs who want to ensure both that the deal gets done and that their client or their company stays out of court, or at least the losing end of a business dispute. Clear and direct as the contract drafting he espouses, Swegle's meticulous discussion of the law and practice of contracts and their drafting and negotiation is essential for new and seasoned lawyers, entrepreneurs, and anyone who cares about the art and craft of the business deal and its careful balancing of risks and rewards."
- Steven W. Bender, Professor and Associate Dean for Planning and Strategic Initiatives, Seattle University School of Law
“Paul Swegle's book is a comprehensive and highly readable guide to all the essential aspects of contract law. In addition, he combines that theory with excellent practical insights about related topics like drafting and negotiation. The book is written for the interested lay person, but I would recommend that my law students get a copy as well and use it as a handy reference when they enter practice and begin advising business clients."
- Daniel J. Morrissey, Professor of Law and Former Dean, Gonzaga University Law School
"Every entrepreneur should read this book. Swegle does a wonderful job of making legal terminology and building blocks accessible to anybody - a rare accomplishment! The book presents simple guidance, logical reasoning and colorful examples for understanding the crucial components of any commercial agreement. A marvelous blueprint for creating successful business relationships and avoiding costly problems and liabilities."
-Seaton Gras, Founder and CEO, SURF Incubator - a vibrant community for technology startups.
DESCRIPTION
Author and attorney Paul Swegle has spent much of his career working closely with business colleagues in companies across several industries to negotiate and document commercial arrangements - contracts that supported the design, development, launch, distribution and marketing of countless products and services.
In doing so, Paul has witnessed and celebrated countless successful commercial relationships, some lasting more than a decade. He has also learned important lessons from myriad ill-fated relationships, tripped up by poorly written agreements, under-performing commercial partners and unexpected surprises of nearly every variety.
Paul's book presents practical insights accumulated and shared with business colleagues over a 20-year period. Its purpose is to help business persons negotiate agreements that achieve their business goals without creating unexpected and unnecessary risks and liabilities. Paul's guidance emphasizes mindfulness of the balance between protecting key interests while still getting important deals done.
Paul has served as in-house general counsel to twelve different companies across many industries. He worked previously in the SEC's Enforcement Division and its Division of Corporation Finance, and also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. Paul gives talks around the country on startup law and fundraising, guest-lectures in business law and technology law classes, serves on the Board of Governors of the Washington State Bar Association and writes on a range of law, governance and finance topics.
