2025 35 SPIDERs: Quickly modify contract terms with short powerful inserts that diminish or expand risk

In drafting contracts, the lawyer’s overarching goal is to ensure that the risk allocation is appropriate, given the client’s objectives and the relative benefits to be received in the transaction. In this program, you will learn about 35 small but powerful edits you can make to shift risk either off your client or onto the other party.  We call these SPIDERS: Short Powerful Inserts that Diminish or Expand Risk.  Using authentic examples from a variety of provisions and different types of contracts, contracts expert Lenné Eidson Espenschied will show you how to fine-tune the language to get a better deal for your client.

Learning Objectives: 

• Learn to determine how one-sided a contract should be.
• Explore practical techniques for shifting risk in contracts.
• Consider strategic edits for specific types of provisions.
• Learn subtle ways to fine-tune contract language to get a better deal for your client.
• See how seemingly minor edits proposed by opposing counsel can affect your client’s outcome.
• Find out how to draft and review contracts more efficiently.
• Improve the overall quality of your work.

Speaker: Lenne E. Espenschied, Next Level Contracts

There will be a short break from 12:50-1 p.m. 

Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.