Contracts Investment

Last updated on April 3, 2026

The creation, securitization, and exploitation of IP, IT, and other assets does not happen in a vacuum, and much of Au LLC legal service offerings comprise commercial transaction assistance. That activity can be sub-divided as follows:.

CONTRACTS

While the law does not require all agreements to be writing lest they be unenforceable, the old adage “get it in writing” is one by which to generally abide. The allocation of property rights, intellectual or otherwise, is intrinsic to most corporate, employment, and service-related agreements, and the following is a non-exclusive list of agreements we have drafted for clients.

IP

Band Contest Agreements
Book Publication Agreements
Confidentiality Agreements
Content Licensing Agreements
Co-Authorship Agreements
Contest Participation Agreements
Contest Rules
Contribution Agreements
Co-Production Agreements
Course Content Creation Agreements
Mobile App EULAs
Event Participation Releases
Event Sponsorship Agreements
Film Acquisition Agreements
Trademark Licensing Agreements
IP Rights Assignment Agreements
IP Submission Agreements
Media Distribution Agreements
Model Releases
Patent License Agreements
Performance Agreements
Photographic Services Agreements
Production Agreements
Project Submission and Bid Agreements
Screenplay Purchase Agreements
Web Developer Services Agreements
Website Privacy Policies
Website Terms of Use

Service

Actor Agreements
Agency Agreements
Adjunct Faculty Agreements
Artist Management Agreements
Band Agreements
Blogger Submission Agreements
Composer Agreements
Consignment Agreements
Construction Agreements
Consulting Agreements
Event Parking Agreements
Game Development Agreements
Internet Marketing Services
Agreements
Master Services Agreement w/ SOWs
Marketing Services Agreements
Modification Agreement
Move-In Packet Advertising
Agreements
Merchandise Agreement
Promotion Agreement
Professional Services Agreements
Pub Crawl Agreements
Referral Agreements
Reseller Agreements
SaaS Agreements
Sales Consulting Agreements
Services Agreements
Social Event Waivers
Software Development Agreements
Software Escrow Service Agreements
Software Reseller Agreements
Software Licensing Agreements
Software Maintenance Agreements
Software Master Service Agreements
Work for Hire Agreements
Sponsorship Agreements
Supplier Agreements
Talent Agreements
Technology Evaluation Agreements
Training Agreement
Venue Agreements
Video Services Agreements
Warrant Statements

Corporate

Asset Purchase Agreements
Commercial Leases
Common Stock Purchase Agreements
Convertible Bridge Purchase
Agreement
Corporate Bylaws
LLC Dissociation Agreements
Investor Rights Agreements
Joint Venture Agreements
Letter of Intents
Limited Partnership Agreement
LLC Operating Agreement
Loan Agreements
Membership Interest Purchase
Agreements
Partnership Agreements
Secured Promissory Notes
Proprietary Information and Invention Assignment Agreements
Residential Leases
Restricted Common Stock Purchase Agreements
Right of First Refusal and CoSale Agreements
Security Agreements
S-Corp Shareholder Agreements
Shareholder Buy/Sell Agreements
Subscription Agreements

Employment

Employment Agreements
Employment Modification Agreements
Employee Handbooks
Freelancer Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Sales Rep Agreements
Master Consulting Agreements
Non-Compete / Non-Solicitation Agreements
Non-Disclosure Agreements
Severance Agreements
Settlement Agreements
Sexual Harassment Policies

INVESTMENT

A startup business is often floated on its owners’ initial capital contributions, as identified in the organizational documentation, until such time where either: (i) more capital is needed to continue the business; or (ii) the business has reached a stage, by design, where a substantial capital injection is needed to grow the business. The solicitation of such funding, more often in the later case, goes through periods called “venture rounds” by which investors are sought to either loan the business money or purchase an equity stake outright. Successful fundraising depends on appropriate incorporation, a sound business model, and an effective means (colloquially, a pitch) to “sell” the investment. The process of reaching out to potential sources of capital, or merely entertaining family-and-friends investors, is as much a marketing effort as it is a legal exercise in protecting your business and your interests therein. We provide counsel to business, nascent and established, which seek to either secure or expand their operations through loans, equity purchases, or other arrangements.

Why Get An Attorney To Finalize A Business Contract?

Finalizing a business contract may seem straightforward, but the slightest mistake can expose a company to significant risks. In Chicago, Illinois, many business owners rely on professional guidance to make sure their contracts are clear, enforceable and legally sound. Without careful review, agreements can leave gaps, leading to costly misunderstandings or long-term disputes.

An intellectual property contract attorney can be particularly valuable when a business relies on unique ideas, branding or creative assets. From preventing loopholes to creating terms and anticipating possible conflicts, a lawyer’s insight offers more than just paperwork review. They protect a business against future challenges while helping ensure agreements meet the Illinois legal standard.

Other key reasons why a business should have an attorney finalize its contracts include:

Legal protections now and later: Attorneys help ensure that contracts are enforceable today while anticipating challenges that may arise later. This foresight helps shield a business from unexpected liabilities.
Protection against disputes: By tightening vague language, lawyers reduce the likelihood of contract disputes around intellectual property and other business matters. Clear terms make it harder for parties to argue about what was agreed upon.
Safeguarding intellectual property: When agreements involve creative assets or branding, an IP disputes lawyer helps establish ownership and usage rights. This prevents conflicts over who controls valuable business property.
Fair and enforceable terms: An attorney can identify clauses that may favor the other party unfairly or even violate Illinois law. This helps ensure both parties stand on equal ground.
Customized agreements for your business: Every company has unique needs, and attorneys can tailor contracts to reflect those specific goals. Instead of relying on generic templates, customized agreements reduce the risk of oversights and help make sure the contract fully supports the business’s long-term interests.

These advantages can help keep businesses safe from challenges that could harm profits, relationships or reputation. Contract issues can quickly escalate, and addressing them after signing is usually more difficult and costly than preventing them in the first place.

As a result, working with an experienced attorney is not just a precaution but a wise investment. Whether dealing with a partnership agreement, licensing deal or an intellectual property contract attorney matter, legal guidance in Chicago helps ensure that businesses are protected, secure and positioned for long-term success.