Lawyers for Contract Review?

[sky778]

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Hello all - I'm a resident graduating in 2025 and set to interview with a few anesthesia groups in the greater Seattle area. I am wondering what's everyone's take on having a lawyer review and negotiate my contract for me? Costs are about 1000 dollars so want to make sure its beneficial before paying that. My residency does offer free contract review but perhaps the paid service can get me better terms etc.

and anyone has any suggestion on contract lawyers in the Washington state area? Someone suggested Resolve but it is not local to WA so I'm not sure if I should find one in the area.

Thanks!

 

[pocafx]

I did it for my first contract but won’t do it again. I think a lot of places won’t let you change much. And once you have an idea of what to look for it’s not super hard. If someone can send you their own contract review it’d be helpful.

 

[GassYous]

I got contract review for 200 dollars and the stuff they found was stuff I already found (they weren't paying for tail) and wasn't negotiable so it was pretty much a waste of money. If it's a big box place (academics or private equity) then it's even less negotiable. Keep your 1000 imo.

 

[nycitygas]

Keep your money. The big thing has always been noncompetes which are now basically unenforceable.

 

[sky778]

I did it for my first contract but won’t do it again. I think a lot of places won’t let you change much. And once you have an idea of what to look for it’s not super hard. If someone can send you their own contract review it’d be helpful.

did they do anything for you? Was hoping if they can up my sign on bonus say by 25k it is worth the 1000 fee.

 

[pocafx]

they just pointed out different factors. Overtime rate. Non-compete. “Boiler plate” language. Hourly vs unit pay. If u want more sign on. Ask for it. Personally I’d get less sign on and lower contract length and a lower non compete

 

[TheLoneWolf]

Hello all - I'm a resident graduating in 2025 and set to interview with a few anesthesia groups in the greater Seattle area. I am wondering what's everyone's take on having a lawyer review and negotiate my contract for me? Costs are about 1000 dollars so want to make sure its beneficial before paying that. My residency does offer free contract review but perhaps the paid service can get me better terms etc.

and anyone has any suggestion on contract lawyers in the Washington state area? Someone suggested Resolve but it is not local to WA so I'm not sure if I should find one in the area.

Thanks!

Not local to your area but Scott Weavil was great. Does a lot of physician contracts, knows what the going regional rates, sign ons, and benefits that you should expect. Even gave me a recording of him going through the contract bit by bit with his commentary then followup phone calls for any questions or clarifications.

Home - Weavil Law PC

weavillaw.com

I work for a PP, everything is negotiable.

I would use Scott again.


Hospital employment and private equity usually tell you that it's all boilerplate and non-negotiable.

 

[JOHNBROCHILL]

did they do anything for you? Was hoping if they can up my sign on bonus say by 25k it is worth the 1000 fee.

You don’t need a lawyer to ask for this just do it yourself. Also a lawyer won’t ask on your behalf, they aren’t your negotiator.

“Hey anesthesia group, as I get closer to making my decision I have been looking through the contract again. Things look pretty good, however some other employment options I’ve seen have a higher signing bonus. Could we increase my sign on to X dollars? I’m prepared to give another year of commitment for this. Thanks”

 

[pie944]

See below for link. My wife used him for her first job, different field of medicine. I used him when I left my first job and went into private practice. In 2015 he charged $650, I found him well worth the money. For the fee he reviews the contract and sends it back heavily edited with all his potential concerns. I think he promised a certain amount of hours spent reviewing it and editing it. However I can't remember the specific number of hours. He then talks to you for 2 hours on the phone to discuss his findings plus any concerns you have. Finally, you can contact him within a certain time frame with any follow up questions.

His input led to multiple changes to my contract that I found beneficial. Even looking back now I am glad I utilized him.

However, if all you want is a bigger signing bonus you definitely do not need to pay someone to do that.

Good luck.

RICHARD A. WRIGHT

 

[sloh]

See below for link. My wife used him for her first job, different field of medicine. I used him when I left my first job and went into private practice. In 2015 he charged $650, I found him well worth the money. For the fee he reviews the contract and sends it back heavily edited with all his potential concerns. I think he promised a certain amount of hours spent reviewing it and editing it. However I can't remember the specific number of hours. He then talks to you for 2 hours on the phone to discuss his findings plus any concerns you have. Finally, you can contact him within a certain time frame with any follow up questions.

His input led to multiple changes to my contract that I found beneficial. Even looking back now I am glad I utilized him.

However, if all you want is a bigger signing bonus you definitely do not need to pay someone to do that.

Good luck.

RICHARD A. WRIGHT

Wow only $650 for all that work?

 

[pie944]

Wow only $650 for all that work?

9 years ago; but yeah!

 

[NightyNight]

Focus on the noncompete radius and leave or fire notice. I think it should be 120 days both ways. Credentialing is not always quick.

 

[NickPetti]

Jumping in on this older post because I’m a 2025 grad too and just went through this
I paid a lawyer $800 and got my sign-on bonus bumped by $15k and a relocation add-on. It really depends on the group - if they’re a big corporate place, they might not move, but solo or small groups often do. Anyone else have luck negotiating extras beyond just the contract clauses?

 

[SRYSPAC]

Honestly try AI to get details on murky working surrounding tail coverage/non-competes. Other than that, the only thing you can likely negotiate is sign-on and relocation. A relocation of $10K is absolutely not enough these days.

Obviously, this won't apply EVERYWHERE, but in general salary/PTO are not things anyone will change for you.

I do know a fellow pediatric anesthesiologist that got the third-year salary of 3-year tiered compensation starting on day 1, but they have 5+ years of experience already, and almost everyone is hurting to hire for peds.

 

[cittykat]

No sign on and no relocation in our group.

 

[Dantrolene FC]

If I already have enough money, and it’s an ear what you kill model with 1 year to partner and a very small buy in, is it worth even negotiating?

They offer a $10k signing bonus. Would it be better to not be a hard negotiator? It feels awkward negotiating with your future partners.

It seems like a very fair group.

 

[cchoukal]

If I already have enough money, and it’s an ear what you kill model with 1 year to partner and a very small buy in, is it worth even negotiating?

They offer a $10k signing bonus. Would it be better to not be a hard negotiator? It feels awkward negotiating with your future partners.

It seems like a very fair group.

yeah, there's not much to negotiate when it's EWYK. More vacation? Sure, take as much as you want for free.