Do you routinely cruise through the standard language that seems to appear in almost every form contract?
If you do, there is one piece of “boilerplate” you need to pay attention to.
It is called “boilerplate” because it is so standard in written agreements that people don’t even pay attention to it usually. This language is usually the last few sections of the contract, it is typically copied from contract to contract and are rarely reviewed or even paid attention to. But there is one clause in the standard boilerplate that you should always take a look at and consider:
The choice of law and the choice of forum.
The choice of law is the language in the contract through which the parties agree which states law is going to be applied to any disputes. The choice of form is the provision in the contract in which the parties agree where, and what state or city, any disputes will be heard.
If both parties to a contract are from the same state and the contract provides that the state’s law will control, it probably isn’t that big a deal. But when the parties are from different states the choice of law and choice of form can mean the difference between being able to legitimately pursue a dispute and being overwhelmed with cost and logistical issues effectively prevent you from being able to raise any defense.
Pay attention to these provisions and if you can try to have them line up with where you live and work.
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