Select a city or county to find California Contracts lawyers near you
A contract is a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties where each assumes a legal obligation that must be completed. Many aspects of daily life involve contracts, including buying property, applying for a car loan, signing employment-related paperwork, and agreeing to terms and conditions when buying products and services or using computer software. Contracts offer a framework for parties to define their rights, obligations, and remedies if terms are not upheld.
Contract laws vary by state. Consulting with an experienced contract attorney can ensure that a contract has clearly laid out terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties involved and all necessary elements are present to be legally binding. Common elements of a contract that makes it legally binding include:
When one party fails to fulfill their obligations as outlined in the agreement, it is considered breach of contract. Contractual remedies and applicable laws vary by state. Consulting with a contract attorney may be necessary to protect your rights. Potential consequences for breaching a contract include:
The statute of frauds requires certain types of contracts to be in writing and signed by both parties to prevent fraud and other injury. The extent of statute of frauds varies by state. Common types of contracts that need to be in writing include:
FindLaw's Lawyer Directory is the largest online directory of attorneys. Browse more than one million listings, covering everything from divorce to DUI to employment law. The directory covers lawyers all across the state, including Irvine, Long Beach, Beverly Hills, San Jose, Ventura, Fresno, Palm Springs, San Bernardino, and anywhere in Northern California or Southern California.
FindLaw's detailed California law firm profiles have information like the firm's areas of law, office locations, office hours, and payment options. Attorney profiles include the biography, law school education and training, and client recommendations of an attorney to help you decide who to hire.
Use the contact form on the profiles to find a lawyer in California for legal advice.
Finding the best lawyer for your unique situation can be a challenge, but the best way to hire a good California attorney is to talk with them, ask them questions, and make sure they meet all your needs. This usually starts with their practice area. Determine which lawyers can handle your type of case and then find a California attorney with experience in that area. So it will be important to ask about each lawyer’s years of experience, legal training, and strategy to your unique legal case.
The attorney-client relationship may also be important. If it is your first time dealing with a legal issue, you may be looking for a lawyer who can clearly and patiently explain the legal process, identify your options, and answer all your questions. You may also want an attorney who is available at any time to provide legal advice. Think about questions to ask, like if there are updates to your case, how will that be communicated? Are there specific California law deadlines that you are required to meet?
The location of your attorney's law office may also be an important factor. In larger cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco, you may want to find a lawyer with a convenient location to you so that you don't have to drive an hour just for signing legal papers. However, some legal services can be primarily conducted through phone calls, emails, written correspondence, and video calls, so you could, for example, have a lawyer in Sacramento handle your legal issues in Riverside.
Make informed decisions with useful legal information.
Learn About the Law articles clearly explain what you need to know about a wide variety of legal issues. You'll also find answers to common legal questions and case summaries to explore.
Read about choosing and retaining legal help with FindLaw's Guide to Hiring a Lawyer.
Our Guide to the U.S. Legal System explains legal basics including federal and state court systems.
Browse options in our legal directory of over 1M firms
Enter information in one or both fields. (Required)