Module 2

^{BUSINESS LAW}

Business is affected by legal issues.

Business cannot be run without taking into account a lot of laws and regulations, codes and standards.

1. Contracts.

This unit highlights the core vocabulary and information about the contract law. Companies usually have their in-house lawyers with them at the table of negotiations as part of the team as well as strategic-thought leaders.

Key words: breach of contract, severable contract, distribution agreement, loan agreement, legal contract.

1. Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.

1. What type of information does a contract usually contain?

2. Why would you work with an attorney when writing/drafting a contract?

2. Listen and read the text. What will the successful applicant deal with?

Smith and Stanwell ATTOrnEYS

seek a business attorney to join our team

The candidate must have extensive knowledge of legal contracts. Our firm works with many manufacturers. You must be able to draft i requirements contract and a distribution agreement. Often, clients seek a standard agreement of sale, but a severable contract may be needed as well. Further, you must be able to recognize an adhesion contract or a breach of contract and fight for our clients if they have been wronged. This includes implied contracts.

It will be up to you to maintain and update contracts of employment, to guarantee that our clients are following all legal guidelines. Some companies may require a bilateral contract! a unilateral contract when working with outside Agents.

Finally, you must have the financial and legal knowledge to assist clients with business loan agreements.

Send your resume to the address below:

Smith and Stanwell • 105 Mountain Ave. • Pelton, Wl

Reading task.

3. Read the job advert and mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1) The new attorney will work mainly with manufacturing companies.

2) The job does not involve representing clients in dispute.

3) Knowledge of loan agreements is not necessary.

Vocabulary task.

4. Match the words (1-6) with the definitions.

1) agreement of sale; 2) implied contract; 3) loan agreement;

4) contract of employment; 5) bilateral contract; 6) unilateral contract

a) a legally binding agreement between employers and employees;

b) a document that details the terms and conditions of a purchase;

c) an agreement for one party to pay for another party’s work;

d) a contract with terms that have not been explicitly stated or written;

e) a contract between a lender and a borrower;

f) a contract in which both parties exchange promises to perform certain things.

5. Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the underlined part.

1) The employer was sued for giving a(n) ……. that unfairly favors one party over the other.

A adhesion contract

B bilateral contract

C contract of employment

2) Both companies signed a legally binding agreement involving two or more people.

A adhesion contract

B legal contract

C loan agreement

3) Len accused the company of failing to perform …. as required by a valid contract.

A a contract of employment

B a bilateral contract

C breach of contract

4) Johnston Industries signed a contract comprised of several separate contracts.

A requirements contract

B severable contract

C bilateral contract

5) The company signed a(n) agreement to distribute and sell manufactured items.

A distribution contract

B breach of contract

C severable contract

6) Is this the contract between a manufacturer and a buyer to provide all necessary supplies?

A requirements contract

B breach of contract

C severable contract

Listening task.

6. Listen to a conversation between a client and a legal assistant. Mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1) The client wants to discuss two different matters.

2) The client wants to sever an implied contract.

3) The assistant has confirmed an appointment with the attorney.

7. Listen again and complete the conversation.

Assistant: Sure. What is this 1___________ ?

Client: I need to have some legal contracts 2 ________ _________ .

Assistant: Okay. Are there any details that I should give her 3 ___________ ?

Client: We need a 4 ___________ for one of our partners. We’ve been working with an implied contract.

Assistant: I’ll 5 ________ _________ _________ .

Client: And I’m afraid that one of our other partners may be in breach of contract.

Assistant: That’s too bad. I’ll tell her that, too.

Client: Does she have any 6 _________ this week?

Speaking task.

8. With a partner, act out the roles below based on Task 7. Then, switch roles. USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:

What is this regarding?

Are there any details...?

Does she have any free time ...?

Student A: You are an assistant at a law firm. Ask student B about:

• contracts needed

• a convenient time to meet

Student B: You would like to see a contract lawyer. Discuss the services you need with Student A.

Writing task.

9. You are a legal assistant writing a message about your phone conversation with a client. Use the information from Task 8 to write a short e-mail for the contracts attorney. Consider:

What kind of contract does he or she need help with?

When would she like to meet, with the attorney?