Contracts are how your business gets paid, protects its work, and manages risk. A clear, enforceable agreement prevents most disputes before they start. A vague one, or a template written for another state, can cost you far more than the deal was worth. Martin Kreshon drafts and reviews business contracts for companies in Shoreline, Kenmore, Edmonds, Seattle, and across Washington, with a focus on agreements that are easy to understand and built around your goals.
Whether you need a new agreement written from scratch or want a second set of eyes before you sign, Martin gives you straightforward advice in plain language.
Contract drafting and review services
Contract drafting
Martin writes agreements tailored to how your business actually operates: your pricing, your deliverables, your timelines, and the risks specific to your industry. Instead of forcing your deal into a generic form, the contract is built around it.
Contract review before you sign
If someone hands you a contract, Martin reviews it before you commit. You receive a plain-language explanation of what the agreement requires, where the risks are, and which terms are worth pushing back on, along with suggested revisions you can send to the other side.
Updating the contracts you already use
Many businesses run on agreements that were written years ago or copied from the internet. Martin can review your existing contracts and update them so they reflect current Washington law and the way your business works today.
Contracts Martin drafts and reviews
- Business-to-business (B2B) contracts with vendors, suppliers, and customers;
- Service agreements and statements of work;
- Independent contractor agreements;
- Nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements;
- Commercial leases for tenants and landlords;
- Franchise agreement review;
- Membership interest and asset purchase agreements;
- Stock purchase agreements; and
- Operating, partnership, and shareholder agreements (see business formation services).
What Martin looks for when reviewing a contract
A contract can look standard and still contain terms that shift serious risk onto you. These are the provisions Martin examines closely:
- Scope of work. Whether deliverables, deadlines, and responsibilities are specific enough to avoid disagreements later.
- Payment terms. When you get paid, what happens when payments are late, and whether the other side can withhold payment.
- Termination rights. Who can end the agreement, how much notice is required, and what is owed when it ends.
- Limitation of liability and indemnification. How much you could owe if something goes wrong, including claims brought by third parties.
- Intellectual property ownership. Who owns the work product, designs, code, or content created under the agreement.
- Confidentiality and non-solicitation. What information must be protected, and whether you are restricted from working with certain customers or employees.
- Automatic renewal. Whether the agreement renews on its own and how to cancel before it does.
- Personal guarantees. Whether you are signing personally, putting your own assets at risk instead of just your company’s.
- Dispute resolution. Whether disagreements go to court or arbitration, and where. Some contracts require you to resolve a dispute in another state.
Washington contract rules business owners should know
- One-sided attorney fee clauses become mutual. Under RCW 4.84.330, if a contract lets one party recover attorney fees in a dispute, Washington law generally extends that right to whichever party prevails. A clause written to favor the other side can end up applying to both of you.
- A contract alone does not make someone an independent contractor. Washington state agencies apply their own tests to decide whether a worker is an employee, and those tests can differ from federal rules. How the work is actually performed matters as much as what the agreement says.
- Noncompete agreements are restricted. Washington’s noncompetition law limits noncompetes for employees and independent contractors, including earnings thresholds that adjust every year. A noncompete that does not meet the statute may be void.
- Written and oral contracts have different deadlines. The time limit to bring a claim is generally six years for a written contract and three years for an oral one, so putting agreements in writing protects you longer.
- Electronic signatures generally count. Most business agreements can be signed electronically in Washington, which makes it easy to get deals done quickly.
Why templates often fall short
Online templates are a starting point, not a finished contract. Many are written under another state’s law, leave out terms your industry needs, or include clauses that Washington courts will not enforce. The most expensive problems usually come from what a template does not say: no late payment terms, no clear ownership of work product, or no way to end a relationship that is not working.
Martin can also review a template you already have and adapt it to your business, which is often a cost-effective middle ground.
How it works
- Share your contract or your deal. Send the agreement you have been asked to sign, or describe the arrangement you need in writing.
- Talk through your goals. Martin learns what matters most to you, where you have flexibility, and what risks concern you.
- Review or draft. Martin prepares a new agreement or reviews the existing one and flags the terms that need attention.
- Plain-language walkthrough. You get a clear explanation of the key terms, recommended changes, and suggested revisions for the other side.
- Finalize and sign. Once terms are agreed, the final version is ready for signature.
Who Martin helps
Martin works with business owners throughout Shoreline, Seattle, Edmonds, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, and Lynnwood, and serves clients across Washington State, including:
- Service businesses and contractors that need clear customer agreements
- Consultants, agencies, and creative professionals protecting their work product
- Companies hiring independent contractors
- Businesses signing vendor, supplier, or distribution agreements
- Commercial tenants and landlords negotiating leases
- Owners buying or selling a business
Why business owners work with Martin
Before focusing on business clients, Martin spent years as a litigator, seeing how contracts are read when a relationship breaks down and a dispute begins. That perspective shapes how he drafts: he writes agreements with the goal of keeping you out of court. As an entrepreneur himself, he also understands that a contract has to work for the business, not just on paper.
- Admitted to practice in Washington (2016) and North Carolina (2012), and before the U.S. District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington
- Former Managing Attorney at Ember Law PLLC and Of Counsel at Larsen Walters PLLC
- A direct line to your attorney: 206-929-0609
Read client reviews for Martin on Avvo.
Contract FAQs
How much does a contract review cost?
Cost depends on the length and complexity of the agreement and whether you need revisions drafted. Contact Martin to discuss your contract and his fees.
Can I just use a contract template?
A template can work for simple, low-risk arrangements, but many are written for other states or leave out important terms. Having a lawyer review or adapt a template is often an affordable way to reduce risk.
Is a verbal agreement binding in Washington?
Many verbal agreements are enforceable, but some types of contracts must be in writing, and oral agreements are harder to prove. The deadline to bring a claim is also shorter for oral contracts than for written ones.
Are electronic signatures valid in Washington?
In most cases, yes. Electronic signatures are generally recognized for business agreements in Washington, although a small number of document types have special requirements.
I already signed a contract. Can Martin still help?
Yes. Martin can review a signed agreement to explain your rights and obligations, identify options for renegotiating, and help you plan for renewals or termination.
What should I do if the other party breaks our contract?
Gather the contract and any related emails, invoices, and records, and avoid taking steps that could put you in breach yourself. Contact Martin to review the agreement and discuss your options.
How long does a contract review take?
Timing depends on the length of the agreement and your deadline. Let Martin know when you need to sign so he can plan accordingly.
Get your next contract right
Before you sign an important agreement, or when you need one written, Martin can help you protect your business and your bottom line.
Direct line: 206-929-0609
Office: 17503 Tenth Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155
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See the full list of services Martin Kreshon provides for Washington businesses.