Attorney Fee Clauses in Equine Contracts
The right contract language can help avoid disputes or reduce your expense if a dispute should arise. Details can separate marginal contracts from effective ones. Details can also help prevent legal disputes. A key detail to consider for a contract is attorney fees.
We receive calls from many people who assume they will win back their legal fees when the case concludes. Not necessarily. In the United States, we do not have an automatic “loser pay” system for legal disputes. Exceptions can exist, such as a statute or court rule that allows a party to collect attorney fees from the losing party in an adjudicated dispute.
Contracts can change this, however, by specifying who will pay legal fees and court costs should a dispute arise. Contract provisions addressing attorney fees vary widely. For example:
- Some contracts specify that if two parties in a contract become involved in a legal dispute involving the contract, the winning party will recover his or her legal fees from the losing party.
- Some contracts specify that only one party will be entitled to recover its legal fees from the other. Some boarding contracts contain clauses specifying that the stable will recover its attorney fees from the boarder if any legal dispute arises between them.
Discuss these and other provisions of contracts with a knowledgeable lawyer.
Categories: Contracts, Sales/Disputes
Julie Fershtman is considered to be one of the nation's leading attorneys in the field of equine law. A frequent author and speaker on legal issues, she has written over 400 published articles, three books, and has lectured at seminars, conventions, and conferences in 29 states on issues involving law, liability, risk management, and insurance. For more information, please also visit www.fershtmanlaw.com and www.equinelaw.net, and www.equinelaw.info.
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Honors & Recognitions
Equine lawyer, Julie Fershtman, has received these prestigious equine industry awards from respected equine organizations:
"Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award" - American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Law Section Animal Law Committee
"Distinguished Service Award" - American Youth Horse Council
"Industry Service Award" - Michigan Equine Partnership
"Catalyst Award"- Michigan Horse Council
"Outstanding Achievement Award" - American Riding Instructors Association
"Partner in Safety Award" - American Riding Instructors Association
"Associate Service Award" - United Professional Horseman's Association
"National Partnership in Safety" Award" - Certified Horsemanship Association
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Handling breach of contract, fraud/ misrepresentation, commercial code, and other claims involving equine-related transactions including purchases/sales, leases, mare leases/foal transfers, and partnerships.
Litigating disputes in court or through alternative dispute resolution (arbitration, mediation, facilitation).
Defending equine/farm/equestrian industry professionals, businesses, and associations in personal injury claims and lawsuits.
Drafting and negotiating contracts for boarding, training, sales, waivers/releases, leases, and numerous other equine-related transactions.
Representing and advising insurers on coverage and policy language as well as litigation;
Advising equine industry clubs and associations regarding management, rules, bylaws, disputes, and regulations.
Representing some of the equine industry's top trainers, competitors, stables, and associations.
Counseling industry professionals, stable managers, and individual horse owners.
THE NATION'S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER EQUINE LAW SPEAKER
Did you know Julie Fershtman has spoken at the American Horse Council Annual Meeting, Equine Affaire, Midwest Horse Fair, Equitana USA, US Dressage Federation Annual Meeting, North American Riding for the Handicapped (now PATH International) Annual Meeting, American Morgan Horse Association Annual Meeting, American Paint Horse Association Annual Meeting, US Pony Clubs, Inc.'s Annual Meeting, All-American Quarter Horse Congress, American Youth Horse Council Annual Meeting, American Riding Instructors Association Annual Meeting, CHA Annual Meeting, and numerous others? Consider signing her up for your convention. Contact Julie.
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