Drafting Contracts: Sources Cheryl Nyberg Oct. 12, 2005

Save Time Don’t reinvent the wheel Take advantage of the expertise of others Learn the lingo

Boilerplate BOILERPLATE boilerplate, n. 1. Ready-made or all-purpose language that will fit in a variety of documents. The term, first recorded in 1893, may have referred to steel plates affixed to boilers. But the modern sense comes from the use of the term to refer to copy set on printing plates (or molds to make the plates) and distributed in that form to newspapers. The copy could not be edited. 2. Fixed or standardized contractual language that the proposing party views as relatively nonnegotiable. [Cases: Contracts 1. C.J.S. Contracts §§ 2-3, 9, 12.]Contracts1C.J.S. Contracts §§ 23912

Formbooks formbook. A book that contains sample legal documents, esp. transaction-related documents such as contracts, deeds, leases, wills, trusts, and securities disclosure documents.

Books with Forms Many subjects Search Law Library catalog by keyword: [subject] and formsLaw Library catalog by keyword

In-House Collections Boilerplate developed & honed by attorneys in the firm Form or contract “banks” Knowledge management systems

Guide Drafting Contracts: Formbooks & Drafting Resources htmlhttp://lib.law.washington.edu/ref/drafting. html Site search feature: drafting

Westlaw Practice 1.An agreement between two companies on making links between their websites 2.A sample agreement limiting disclosure of confidential information involved in multimedia property development 3.A Washington State form to be filed by a foreign corporation to obtain leave to do business in the state

LexisNexis Practice 1.An outsourcing agreement for the modification of computer software 2.Amendments to a commercial lease agreement establishing liability for environmental risks 3.An agreement between Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom

Contracts for Nonlawyers “Popular works” Nolo Press publicationsNolo Forms & contracts on free & fee-based websites Stationery stores

Conclusions Let someone else work for you Look for a sample form or language Use more than one source Evaluate forms before using Modify form to serve the client’s best interests Edit form as needed to comply with local law

Answers Contact me by for answers to the Westlaw and LexisNexis practice questions