Job Offer Letter of Intent and Getting a Lawyer

[chippy2]

I received an offer letter for an academic physician position out in CA. Do I need to get a lawyer or just a fellow physician to look over the offer letter and point out any concerns I have about it? I was thinking about asking for a sign on bonus as part of the offer letter or is that something I would ask once I get a formal contract and my lawyer would do that as part of the negotiation? Also, when I start looking for a lawyer, do I have to obtain a lawyer from the same state as the job position or can it be any lawyer from any state who is an expert at employment/contract law?

Thank you all for any replies.

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[gutonc]

I received an offer letter for an academic physician position out in CA. Do I need to get a lawyer or just a fellow physician to look over the offer letter and point out any concerns I have about it? I was thinking about asking for a sign on bonus as part of the offer letter or is that something I would ask once I get a formal contract and my lawyer would do that as part of the negotiation? Also, when I start looking for a lawyer, do I have to obtain a lawyer from the same state as the job position or can it be any lawyer from any state who is an expert at employment/contract law?

Thank you all for any replies.

As much as it pains me to say it, get a lawyer. Definitely a labor/contract lawyer and preferably one who has experience working with physicians. Ask colleagues for lawyer recs, not to look at your contract. As to the negotiation part, I don't think you should wait for an actual contract to do that...start talking about it now. Your potential employer doesn't want to get jerked around any more than you do.

 

[newdude2009]

I received an offer letter for an academic physician position out in CA. Do I need to get a lawyer or just a fellow physician to look over the offer letter and point out any concerns I have about it? I was thinking about asking for a sign on bonus as part of the offer letter or is that something I would ask once I get a formal contract and my lawyer would do that as part of the negotiation? Also, when I start looking for a lawyer, do I have to obtain a lawyer from the same state as the job position or can it be any lawyer from any state who is an expert at employment/contract law?

Thank you all for any replies.

I unfortunately agree with gut. I have some friends who signed contracts and did not use a lawyer and have not had a problem, but if your going to an academic place its good to have it reviewed. Be aware that these places have standard contracts for their new hires, so you may want something that is not mentioned in your contract but they will not be willing to budge.

I would try to get ahold of docs in that academic hospital about what they did as well. If you decide on using a lawyer then they may have reccomendations for you of a lawyer who is familiar with your hospital and its track record with its employees.

Good luck

 

[chippy2]

Thank you very much for the replies.

Do you think asking for a sign on bonus as part of the offer letter acceptance would be a wise thing to do since the institution said that they still had candidates lined up for interviews? Would they suddenly rescind the offer letter or would they just say no, we can't offer a sign on bonus but everything else stands. I just don't want to lose this offer.

Thanks again for any replies.

 

[newdude2009]

Thank you very much for the replies.

Do you think asking for a sign on bonus as part of the offer letter acceptance would be a wise thing to do since the institution said that they still had candidates lined up for interviews? Would they suddenly rescind the offer letter or would they just say no, we can't offer a sign on bonus but everything else stands. I just don't want to lose this offer.

Thanks again for any replies.

This is the dance we call negotations. If a sign on bonus is what is usually done for your specialty I don't think it can hurt. Why don't you wait and see what kind of response you get from their side. If they interview all the candidates and they really like you and tell you that, then I think it may be reasonable to ask for a sign on bonus, but I would play it by ear.

 

[Phyozo]

I received an offer letter for an academic physician position out in CA. Do I need to get a lawyer or just a fellow physician to look over the offer letter and point out any concerns I have about it? I was thinking about asking for a sign on bonus as part of the offer letter or is that something I would ask once I get a formal contract and my lawyer would do that as part of the negotiation? Also, when I start looking for a lawyer, do I have to obtain a lawyer from the same state as the job position or can it be any lawyer from any state who is an expert at employment/contract law?

Thank you all for any replies.

Is it standard to get a lawyer to look over offers letters for academic physicians? If not, what aspects of this situation call for it?

 

[carrigallen]

I think it may be reasonable to have a contracts attorney, with experience in healthcare, look over any employment or practice-related contract.
For example, I have a friend who recently discovered her contract did not include sick leave.