Manufacturers depend on a chain of contracts: with suppliers of materials and components, with customers who issue purchase orders, and with the distributors who carry their products to market.
When those contracts conflict, or say nothing about the problem at hand, the cost tends to land on whoever has the weaker paper. We help manufacturers strengthen their paper and resolve disputes when they arise.
How We Help Manufacturers
Supply Agreements
Long-term supply contracts covering pricing, volume commitments, quality standards and delivery.
Terms and Conditions of Sale
Standard purchase order and sales terms that hold up when the other side sends its own form.
Distribution Agreements
Territories, exclusivity, minimums and termination terms for distributors and dealers.
IP and Confidentiality
Trade secret protection, nondisclosure agreements, licensing and ownership of designs and tooling.
Equipment Purchases and Leases
Purchase and lease agreements for machinery and production equipment.
Acquisitions
Buying or selling a manufacturing business, including diligence on contracts, equipment and permits.
Who We Work With
Disputes
Our litigation team represents manufacturers in disputes over defective goods, late deliveries, unpaid invoices, warranty claims and distributor terminations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question that isn't answered here? Call us at (817) 631-8842 or send a message.
Ask a QuestionWhat happens when my terms and the customer's purchase order conflict?
Under the Uniform Commercial Code, which Texas has adopted, conflicting forms don't always mean one side's terms win. Some terms can drop out and be replaced by default rules. Clear terms and a consistent process for accepting orders help keep your terms in the deal.
How can a manufacturer protect its trade secrets?
Limit access to the people who need it, use confidentiality agreements with employees, contractors, suppliers and customers, and mark and track sensitive information. Texas law protects trade secrets only when the owner takes reasonable measures to keep them secret.
Who owns tooling and molds a customer paid for?
It depends on the contract. Without a clear agreement, a customer that paid for tooling and the manufacturer that holds it can disagree about ownership, use and return. The supply agreement or purchase order should say who owns the tooling, who maintains it and what happens when the relationship ends.
Our Practice Areas
- Business AcquisitionsWe represent buyers and sellers of Texas businesses, from the first letter of intent through closing and the handoff that follows.Learn More
- Startups, Entity Formation, and Venture CapitalWe help founders and owners form the right entity, set clear ownership terms, raise capital and keep their companies in good order as they grow.Learn More
- Business Counsel and ContractsWe act as outside counsel for established companies and handle the contracts a business signs every week, from vendor and customer agreements to franchise documents.Learn More
- Commercial Litigation and Dispute ResolutionWe resolve business disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration and trial, with a plan built around what the client needs from the outcome.Learn More
Request a Consultation
Initial consultations are held by Zoom and typically last 20 to 30 minutes.