Contract lawyer for drafting, review, audits and disputes
A contract lawyer drafts, reviews and audits your business agreements, and helps resolve disputes after a contract is signed. We do this work for businesses in Ontario, for businesses in New York, and for deals that cross the border.
- Law Society of OntarioLicensed in Ontario
- New York State BarAdmitted in New York
What a contract lawyer does for your business
Contract lawyers do different work at each stage of a contract. Drafting puts the deal you agreed on into clear terms. A review tells you what someone else's contract asks of you. An audit checks the agreements you signed in the past. Dispute work begins when a signed contract breaks down.
Most risk sits in a few clauses: scope, payment, liability, termination and who owns the work. We draft those clauses around your deal, or suggest changes to them in a contract review before you sign. If the other side pushes back, we can negotiate the changes for you.
Some problems only appear after signing, such as an unpaid invoice, late delivery or a partner who wants out. We review your position under the contract, send or answer demand letters, and negotiate toward a settlement. Ontario and New York each set deadlines for starting a claim, so early advice keeps more options open.
In Ontario
Contracts for Toronto and Ontario businesses under Ontario law, including employment agreements that follow the ban on most employee non-competes.
In New York
Contracts for businesses in New York City and across the state, from vendor terms to services agreements, under New York law.
Across the border
For cross-border deals, we draft and review the contract, including governing law and forum clauses that decide whose law applies and where disputes are heard.
- Commercial contract drafting
- Customer and supplier agreements
- Services and consulting agreements
- Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
- Standard terms you can reuse
- Contract review
- Plain-language notes on key clauses
- Suggested changes before you sign
- What is standard and what is not
- Contract audits
- Existing agreements and templates
- Renewal and termination dates
- Terms that no longer fit the business
- Contract negotiation
- Changes proposed to the other side
- Liability caps and indemnities (who covers which losses)
- Payment and termination terms
- Breach of contract and disputes
- Review of your position
- Demand letters
- Negotiated settlements
- Settlement agreements
- Specialized agreements
- Software and intellectual property licenses
- Shareholder and partnership agreements
- Employment and contractor agreements
Who needs a business contract lawyer
Owner-managed businesses
Customer and supplier terms checked before you sign, and standard agreements your team can reuse.
Startups and technology companies
Software-as-a-service (SaaS) and licensing agreements, customer terms, and contractor agreements that give the company ownership of the work.
Companies with a steady flow of contracts
If new contracts arrive every week, ongoing part-time support through fractional general counsel may fit better than one-off reviews.
Businesses in a contract dispute
Owners who need to know where they stand after an unpaid invoice, a missed deadline or a broken deal.
How we handle your contracts
- 01Starting with your goals
We ask what the agreement needs to do for your business before we suggest changes.
- 02The right law for each contract
We check which law governs each contract, Ontario or New York, and explain what that means for you.
- 03Plain language
You get a short note on what each key clause means for you, with the changes marked.
- 04A clear first step
We reply to new inquiries within 1 to 2 business days and explain what happens next.
What our clients say
Joseph explained every step of the legal process in a clear and straightforward manner. I always felt informed and at ease. His professionalism and dedication gave me confidence that my case was in the right hands. I highly recommend his services to anyone seeking legal assistance.
Leena E.
Working with Joseph Mayo was a fantastic experience. He is incredibly knowledgeable and efficient, helping me with important files that needed quick submission. His expertise and dedication were evident, and he guided me through the process in record time. I’m grateful for his prompt and thorough assistance. Highly recommended for anyone needing legal expertise!
Ziad A.
Joseph’s the kind of lawyer who actually listens. I never felt like just a file on his desk—he really took the time to understand me and what I was going through. It made the whole experience a lot less stressful. I’m honestly so glad I found him.
Wisam R.
Guides on this topic
Common questions
What is a contract lawyer?
A contract lawyer is a lawyer who writes and checks the agreements a business signs, and steps in when one of them goes wrong. That covers drafting new contracts, reviewing and negotiating the other side's terms, auditing existing agreements, and helping settle disputes. You may also see this role called a contracts lawyer or a contract attorney.
Do I need a lawyer to write a business contract?
Not always, but it is wise when the contract involves significant money, runs for a long time or limits someone's liability. Low-value, one-off deals on standard terms are often fine without one. A commercial contract lawyer can also prepare a template once, so your team can reuse it for similar deals.
What type of lawyer handles business contracts?
A business contract lawyer handles the contracts a company signs, from first drafts to reviews, audits and disputes. Bring one in before you sign anything with significant money, a long term or limits on liability, and when a signed contract stops working.
What is a contract audit?
A contract audit checks the agreements you already signed and the templates you still use. It flags renewal and termination dates, gaps in liability protection, and terms that no longer fit how you operate. It is especially useful before you sell the business, raise money or renew a major contract.
What type of lawyer handles breach of contract?
A contract dispute lawyer handles breach of contract. The first step is a close look at the signed contract and what happened. We review your position, explain your options, send or answer a demand letter, and negotiate toward a settlement. If the parties settle, we can draft the settlement agreement so the agreed terms are set out clearly in writing.
How long do I have to sue for breach of contract?
It depends on which law applies: generally two years in Ontario and six years in New York. In Ontario, the two years run from the day you discover the claim, under the Limitations Act, 2002. In New York, the six years usually run from the date of the breach, and sales of goods have a shorter deadline. Contract terms and the facts can change these dates, so ask a breach of contract lawyer to check yours early.
How much does a lawyer charge to review a contract?
The cost of hiring a contract review lawyer depends on the contract's length, the risk involved and whether negotiation follows. A short, standard agreement takes less time than a long services or licensing contract with custom terms. Send us the agreement and your deadline, and we will reply within 1 to 2 business days to explain the next steps.
Contract advice from a firm that practices in Ontario and in New York.
Joseph Mayo is the principal attorney at Mayo Law. He is licensed to practice law in both Ontario and New York, holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from New York University School of Law with a specialty in international business and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Netanya Academic College, and is a member of the American Bar Association and the Law Society of Ontario. His practice focuses on cross-border immigration, business law, white collar defense, and compliance.
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