Quick Triage: What Do You Need?
Answer these questions to find the right resource for your situation.
Question 1
What document do you have?
Question 2
What's your role type?
Question 3
What's your timeline?
✓ Recommended: Standard Review
Based on your answers, I recommend the Standard Review package. This covers:
- Full contract analysis with California-specific flags
- Written summary of key terms and risks
- Recommended negotiation points
⚡ Recommended: Priority Review
Given your tight timeline, I recommend the Priority Review package with 24-hour turnaround.
- Same-day or next-day delivery
- Full contract analysis
- Direct Q&A session included
✓ Recommended: Executive Package
Executive and director-level agreements typically include equity, severance, and non-compete provisions that require deeper analysis.
- Comprehensive equity/option analysis
- Severance and termination review
- Non-compete enforceability assessment (hint: not enforceable in CA)
- 30-minute strategy call included
⚠️ Sales Role Alert
Sales and SDR contracts often have commission-specific terms that need careful review:
- Commission clawbacks - Can they take back earned commissions?
- Quota attainment - How are quotas set and changed?
- Territory changes - Can they reassign your accounts?
- At-will language - Can they fire you right before commission payout?
I review these specific issues in every sales contract.
🐻 Why California Matters
California employment law is significantly more employee-friendly than most states. Key differences:
- Non-competes are void - California Business & Professions Code § 16600 makes most non-compete agreements unenforceable
- Stricter wage-hour rules - Meal breaks, rest breaks, and overtime requirements exceed federal law
- IP assignment limits - Labor Code § 2870 protects inventions created on your own time
- At-will exceptions - Implied contract and public policy exceptions apply
Your contract may contain provisions that look enforceable but aren't valid under California law. I flag these issues.
Common Red Flags I Look For
Overbroad IP Assignment
Clauses claiming ownership of anything you create, even outside work hours or unrelated to your job. California Labor Code § 2870 limits this.
High Risk
Hidden Non-Competes
Non-compete language buried in non-solicitation or confidentiality sections. These are generally unenforceable in California.
High Risk
Mandatory Arbitration
Forced arbitration clauses that waive your right to sue or join class actions. May be unconscionable under California law.
Medium Risk
Commission Clawbacks
Terms allowing the company to recover commissions already paid if a customer churns or you leave. Often unenforceable for earned wages.
Medium Risk
Choice of Law Tricks
Contracts stating Delaware or Texas law applies. If you work in California, California law typically governs regardless.
High Risk
Vague Termination Terms
Unclear language about what happens to equity, bonuses, or commissions upon termination. These should be explicit.
Medium Risk
Hub Resources
Contract Analyzer Tool
Interactive checklist to self-review your employment contract. Identify issues before your attorney review.
Use the tool →
Tech Employment Red Flags
Deep dive into issues specific to tech roles: equity cliffs, IP assignment, and startup-specific gotchas.
Read the guide →
Offer Letter vs. Employment Agreement
Understand the difference and what should (and shouldn't) be in each document.
Learn more →
What to Negotiate
Common negotiation points for California employment contracts and how to approach them.
See the guide →
Related Resources on Terms.Law
Employment Contract Review Packages
Clear pricing. Fast turnaround. California-focused analysis.
Standard Review
$175 flat fee
For straightforward offer letters and employment agreements
- Full contract review
- California law compliance check
- Written summary (1-2 pages)
- Key risk flags identified
- Negotiation points highlighted
- 3 business day turnaround
Most Popular
Priority Review
$275 flat fee
When you need answers fast
- Everything in Standard
- 24-hour turnaround
- 15-min Q&A call included
- Email follow-up for clarifications
- Commission/bonus structure analysis
- Equity terms review
Executive Package
$450 flat fee
For director-level and above
- Everything in Priority
- Comprehensive equity analysis
- Severance terms review
- Change of control provisions
- 30-min strategy call
- Redline suggestions provided
- One revision round
Ready to Get Your Contract Reviewed?
Book a time or send your contract directly.
owner@terms.law