Contracts
Business Contracts for Brazilians in the US
A poorly drafted contract is worse than none — creates wrong expectations, omits essential protections, and can be interpreted against the drafter. We draft in English, Portuguese, or bilingual — designed to be executed, not just signed.
Most-demanded contracts
- Shareholder / Operating Agreements — the most critical document for any multi-member company. Capital contributions, distributions, governance, vesting, drag-along/tag-along, dissolution, member exit. Cost of not having: disputes reach $50–500K+ in attorney fees.
- Services Agreements — freelancers, consultants, service companies. Scope, deliverables, timeline, payment, IP, liability limitation, forum and governing law.
- NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) — unilateral or mutual. For negotiations with partners, investors, vendors, or contractors.
- Commercial Leases — NNN lease, gross lease, modified gross lease review. We flag unfavorable clauses: no CAM-charge cap, disproportionate personal guarantees, poorly defined exclusivity.
- Franchise Agreements — FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document) and franchise contract review. Florida requires FDD delivery 14 days before signing — we analyze every material item.
- Employment / Independent Contractor — correct classification is critical. Misclassification triggers IRS and DOL penalties. We draft both.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use online templates?
Generic templates cover 60–70% of simple cases. For contracts with material value, multi-member structures, or cross-border Brazil-US, generic templates create risk and contractual failures.
Is a Portuguese contract valid in the US?
Yes, if parties understand. But US courts require sworn translation to enforce. We recommend bilingual with a prevalence clause ("in case of conflict, English version prevails" or vice versa).
How much to draft a shareholder agreement?
Simple Operating Agreement (2–3 members, basic LLC): $1,500–3,000. Complex (vesting, multiple classes, structured exit): $4,000–8,000.
NDA before or after investor conversation?
Before. Experienced investors sign NDAs. Those who won't are often red flags. Use mutual NDA.
Is a franchise contract negotiable?
Very little. FDD is standardized by franchisor. But schedules, terms, territories, and renewal fees often have margin — review pays off.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Schedule a consultation today. We will listen, assess your situation, and give you a clear path forward — in the language you are most comfortable with.