If you are searching for a contract lawyer near me because a deal is on your desk, you are in the right place. Kostrub Law Firm, PLLC drafts and reviews contracts for small businesses and individuals in Washington and Allegheny counties. This work is one part of our broader business law practice for local companies. We read the fine print, explain it in plain English, and suggest changes before you sign.
What happens after you call: we ask what the contract is for and when it must be signed, then set a time to review it with you.
What contract drafting and review is
A contract is a set of promises that a court can enforce. Contract drafting means writing an agreement from scratch so it matches your deal. Contract review means reading an agreement someone else wrote and spotting terms that could hurt you.
A contract review attorney looks at more than price and dates. We check:
- Scope. Exactly what each side must deliver, and by when.
- Payment terms. When money is due and what happens if it is late.
- Indemnity. A promise to cover the other side’s losses or legal costs. One-sided indemnity can be expensive.
- Limitation of liability. A cap on how much one side can recover if something goes wrong.
- Termination and renewal. How the deal ends, and whether it renews on its own.
- Dispute terms. Which state’s law applies, where a lawsuit must be filed, and whether disputes go to arbitration (a private decision-maker instead of a judge).
Pennsylvania law that matters
Several Pennsylvania rules shape how contracts work here:
- Time to sue, 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525. Most contract claims must be filed within four years. Some documents signed under seal may have a longer period under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5529.
- Sale of goods, 13 Pa.C.S. Division 2. Pennsylvania’s version of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) covers contracts to buy and sell goods. Larger sales of goods generally need a signed writing to be enforced (13 Pa.C.S. § 2201).
- Electronic signatures, 73 P.S. § 2260.101 et seq.. Pennsylvania’s Uniform Electronic Transactions Act generally treats e-signatures like ink signatures, with some exceptions.
- Home improvement contracts, 73 P.S. § 517.1 et seq.. Contractors doing residential work must register with the state, and their contracts must include certain terms to be enforceable against a homeowner.
- Legal fees. Pennsylvania usually follows the “American Rule”: each side pays its own lawyer unless a contract or statute says otherwise. A fee-shifting clause can change who pays if you end up in court.
Common situations in Washington and Allegheny counties
- Master service agreements between energy service companies and gas operators in Washington County. These often have broad indemnity and insurance terms. Landowners signing gas leases have different needs; see our oil and gas lease review work.
- Commercial leases for storefronts and offices in Canonsburg, Bethel Park, and Pittsburgh.
- Contractor agreements for home improvement and construction work in South Fayette and Upper St. Clair.
- Buy-sell and partner agreements between co-owners. These often tie into your LLC operating agreement and company setup.
- Independent contractor agreements, which must line up with how the worker is really treated. Our page on employment documents for small employers covers that side.
What happens if you don’t act
Signing without review can lock you into terms you did not expect. Common problems include:
- An automatic renewal that keeps you paying for another year or more.
- An indemnity clause that makes you pay for the other side’s mistakes.
- A clause that requires you to sue in another state.
- A personal signing line that makes you, not your company, responsible for the debt.
Once you sign, changing these terms usually takes the other side’s agreement. And if a dispute starts, the four-year clock under Pennsylvania law keeps running.
Have a contract to sign this week? Call (304) 982-1586 · Request a consultation · After you call, we confirm your signing deadline and set a time to go through the agreement with you.
How we handle it, step by step
- Learn the deal. We ask what you are trying to achieve and what matters most to you.
- Read every page. We review the full contract, including exhibits and any terms linked by website address.
- Mark up the risks. You get a redline (a marked copy showing suggested changes) and a short plain-English summary.
- Talk it through. We explain which changes matter most and which are optional.
- Negotiate if you want. We can contact the other side or coach you.
- Finalize and file. We confirm the final version is the one signed, and we note key dates such as renewals and notice deadlines.
What to bring to your first meeting
- The full contract, including all exhibits, schedules, and attachments
- Any earlier drafts, emails, or proposals that describe the deal
- Your signing deadline
- Your company’s legal name and formation documents
- Insurance certificates, if the contract requires coverage
- A list of terms you are worried about
Fees
We explain fees before we start. You will know the approach before any work begins.
Who handles this
Contract matters are handled by Daniel B. Kostrub and Heather N. Kostrub. Kostrub Law Firm, PLLC has served the region since 2006.
- Daniel B. Kostrub concentrates on energy law and oil and gas transactions, work that involves reviewing detailed agreements. See Dan Kostrub’s background and practice.
- Heather N. Kostrub focuses on estate planning and family and business succession. See Heather Kostrub’s background and practice.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to have a lawyer review a contract?
It depends on the length of the contract, how complex the deal is, and whether you want us to negotiate changes. A short agreement takes less time than a multi-party deal with many exhibits. We explain our fee approach before starting so you can decide.
Is a contract valid in Pennsylvania if it is not notarized?
Usually, yes. Most Pennsylvania contracts do not need a notary to be valid. What matters is an offer, acceptance, consideration (something of value exchanged), and terms clear enough to enforce. Some documents, such as deeds and powers of attorney, have their own signing rules.
Are verbal contracts enforceable in Pennsylvania?
Many verbal agreements can be enforced, but they are hard to prove. Some deals must be in writing, such as most real estate sales and larger sales of goods under the Uniform Commercial Code. If you rely on a verbal deal, write down what was agreed and send it to the other side as soon as you can.
Can I back out of a contract after I sign it?
Sometimes. You may be able to end a contract if it has a termination clause, if the other side breaks it first, or if a law gives you a right to cancel. Some home improvement contracts give homeowners a short cancellation window. Otherwise, backing out may count as a breach, so get advice before you stop performing.
What should I look for before signing a business contract?
Check who the parties are, what each side must do, payment terms, how the deal ends, automatic renewals, indemnity, limits on liability, and where disputes go. Make sure you sign for your company, not personally, unless you mean to. If any term confuses you, ask before signing.
Do you review contracts for people outside Washington County?
Yes. We review contracts for clients in Pittsburgh and across Allegheny County as well as Washington County. Much of the work can be done by email, phone, or video, so distance is rarely a problem. If you need a contract lawyer in Pittsburgh on a tight deadline, tell us the signing date when you call.
Get your contract reviewed before you sign
Call (304) 982-1586 or book a contract review meeting. After you call, we confirm your deadline and goals, then go through the agreement with you line by line. Service area: Pittsburgh, Cecil Township, and Washington and Allegheny counties. Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m..
This page is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.