Ask a Business Lawyer: What to Look for Before You Sign

Before signing a loan, contract, or agreement, there are a lot of key things to look for and questions you should ask as a business owner. This session is designed to help you make informed decisions before committing to anything that could impact your business long-term. Structured as a guided FAQ, the presentation will walk through five key questions every business owner should consider before signing, including: what you’re actually agreeing to, what you may be personally risking, what terms can be negotiated, common red flags, and when to involve a lawyer. The goal is not to provide legal advice, but to give you a clear framework to assess risk and protect your business.

Following the presentation, there will be time for general Q&A. While specific contracts cannot be reviewed in a group setting, attendees will have the opportunity to ask broader questions and better understand how to approach legal decisions with confidence.

You'll learn:

• How to identify key terms and obligations in contracts and agreements
• What personal risk you may be taking on, even with an LLC
• Which terms are often negotiable and how to approach them
• Common red flags that signal potential issues
• When it’s advisable to involve a lawyer before signing

This session is ideal for business owners preparing to apply for financing, enter agreements, or make important decisions that impact their business’s future.