As a business owner myself, something I absolutely LOVE to see is other people starting their business. Because it means that they’re taking a chance on themselves, likely quitting the “safe” option of their 9-5, and committing to a passion that’s been deep inside them for so long.
I truly love to see it! But I can’t lie… something else starts happening inside my lawyer brain when I see someone starting a new business.
“Do they know about the legal contracts they need to put in place right away?”
“Are they starting their business on a solid legal foundation or just winging it?”
“Ugh! Should I tell them about the legal agreements that they MUST implement in order to avoid potential legal trouble down the line?”
I can’t help it – it’s who I am!
While I would never want to burst a new business owner’s bubble and be the party pooper, it feels wrong NOT to tell them about these things.
But instead of commenting and trying to make sure they know about all of these things and potentially send them into an anxious spiral, I usually just say something like, “congrats! I’m here for all your business legal needs if you ever need them 🎉”
Because it’s true – I AM here for that! But when you stumble your way to my blog (hey, I’m so glad you’re here 👋) or to my Instagram, you’ll find that I'm not afraid to be the party pooper.
Althoughhhhhh I like to say that I’m a cool lawyer and I really do try to keep the legal talk fun!
At the end of the day though, this talk can’t be avoided. Legalities in business are VERY real and there are indeed consequences if you choose to ignore them.
So, since you’re here I’m going to assume that you want me to give it to you straight. So that’s exactly what I’m gonna do!
Keep reading for the 6 non-negotiable legal agreements that EVERY new business needs to implement right away!
6 Legal Agreements That Every New Business Needs
1. Professional Services Agreement
➡️ Who it’s for: Any service-based business owner working with 1:1 clients
Imagine landing your dream client, doing the work, and then… they ghost you on payment. Or they suddenly ask for wayyyy more than you originally agreed to. Sound like a nightmare? Yeah, trust me, it IS!
And that’s exactly why having a Professional Services Agreement is non-negotiable.
This contract protects both you AND your clients by clearly outlining the scope of work, payment terms, deadlines, cancellations, and expectations. It also includes a Statement of Work, so there’s no confusion about what’s included (and what’s not).
Without this agreement, you risk miscommunication, scope creep, and potential non-payment issues. With it? You set crystal-clear boundaries and get paid without the drama.
2. Website Privacy Policy
➡️ Who it’s for: Anyone with a website (yes, really!)
Did you know that a Privacy Policy is legally required if your website collects any visitor data (like emails, payments, or analytics)? Yep. This isn’t just a cute contract suggestion – it’s the law. 👩🏻⚖️
A Website Privacy Policy tells visitors what personal data you collect, how you use it, and how you protect their privacy. If you run an email list, accept online payments, or use tracking tools like Google Analytics, this document ensures you’re compliant with privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA.
Skipping this could result in fines (BIG ONES 💸) or penalties, so it’s one of those “just get it done” contracts for your business.
(For more of the nitty gritty details of website privacy policies, click here!)
3. Website Terms of Use
➡️ Who it’s for: Anyone with a business website
Your website is your business’s digital home, and just like any home, it needs rules (anyone else a no shoes household? 🤢)
That’s where Website Terms of Use come in! This agreement lays out how visitors can interact with your site, whether they can use your content, how disputes are handled, and what happens if someone misuses your website.
For example, do you allow people to repurpose your blog posts? Can they share your logo? If someone tries to sue you over something they read on your site, do you have legal protection?
Your Terms of Use address all of this and more. Without it, your website is vulnerable to misuse, theft, and potential legal claims. Having it? Total peace of mind.
4. Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
➡️ Who it’s for: Business owners collaborating with contractors, partners, or anyone handling sensitive information
Working with contractors or partners in your business can be a GREAT thing, but it can also be a little risky when it comes to your big ideas. You want to know that you can trust that your ideas stay YOURS, which is where an NDA can come into play.
This agreement ensures that anyone who has access to your business’s private information (like strategies, client lists, or product ideas) is legally bound to keep it confidential.
Without an NDA, someone could leak, steal, or replicate your ideas without consequence. With one? You have legal recourse to protect your intellectual property.
5. Independent Contractor Agreement
➡️ Who it’s for: Business owners hiring contractors (VAs, designers, writers, social media managers, etc.)
At some point, you’ll likely need to outsource work (highly recommend, btw!), whether it’s hiring a virtual assistant, a copywriter, or a graphic designer. When that happens, a verbal agreement isn’t enough.
An Independent Contractor Agreement clarifies:
✅ The scope of work
✅ Payment terms (flat rate, hourly, retainer, etc.)
✅ How deliverables will be provided
✅ Ownership of work (who keeps the rights to what’s created)
✅ Confidentiality agreements
Without this, you risk miscommunication, unpaid invoices, and ownership disputes. Having it? Smooth collaborations that don’t end in legal messiness.
For more on how to expand your team through independent contractors (while protecting your business at the same time), click here!
6. Terms of Purchase for Digital Goods & Services
➡️ Who it’s for: Anyone selling digital products, online courses, or services
Ever had a customer demand a refund on a non-refundable digital product? Or initiate a chargeback on something they already downloaded?
If not, there’s a chance that you will at some point in your business owner journey, which is the very reason why you need a Terms of Purchase Agreement.
This contract alone protects your digital products, online courses, memberships, and services by laying out:
✔️ Refund and cancellation policies (yes, you’re allowed to have a no refund policy!)
✔️ Chargeback protections
✔️ Licensing terms (so buyers don’t misuse your content)
✔️ Payment terms and liability disclaimers
Without this, you risk lost revenue, chargebacks, and disputes. Having it? You control the rules of your digital sales.
Your One Stop Legal Shop For All Business Contracts
Starting a business is an exciting adventure, but it’s an adventure that needs to be done legally from day one. Taking all the legal precautions right away is JUST as important (although I’d argue it’s more important) as your branding, marketing, and even your sales.
Because well, if we’re being honest, all of the legal precautions mentioned above actually protect ALL of those things!
These six agreements aren’t just “nice to have” – they’re truly business essentials that prevent headaches, financial losses, and unnecessary stress throughout your business owner journey.
And because I know that figuring out how to implement all of these things can feel confusing and overwhelming, I created a one stop shop solution for all business owners and service providers!
ENTER: The Boutique Lawyer Contract Template Shop!
Inside you’ll find easy to use (fill-in-the-blank format) contracts that are customizable for your business and attorney-drafted for legal peace of mind.
And there really is a contract for almost every industry.
If you’re just starting out in business, the CEO Starter Pack was curated with you in mind. The bundle includes all 6 contract templates mentioned above at the fraction of the price if you were to purchase them all individually!
But if you’d rather shop by industry, simply click here and use the “Filter” button to find what you need.
And if you don’t see a contract for your profession, reach out here! I’m always adding new contracts to the shop and I’d love to help.
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If you like what you just read and want more cool lawyer things in your life, here’s a few ways to stay connected:
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Come hang with me on the ‘gram! I often do AMA’s on stories, so you can submit your specific questions when they come up.
And if you’re in need of legal resources that you can ACTUALLY understand? Here’s a few ways I can help:
Step into TBL’s free library of legal resources for creative entrepreneurs where we throw open the doors and spill the tea on what works and what doesn't when it comes to legal protection, systems and sales.
Browse the contract template shop to find what’s missing in your biz and easily implement it with a plug and play template!
Need something else? Send me a DM! Always happy to lend a legal hand when I can.