Negotiating and Drafting Contract Boilerplate.

• Position: Book Review

by Tina L. Stark

For lawyers, it's those provisions at the end of a contract-choice of law, notice, arbitration, force majeure, assignments, etc.-that it is tempting to take for granted. Known as "boilerplate," these provisions contain important legal and business issues, and sometimes serious pitfalls. Being aware of these costly pitfalls and of the latest cases can help you steer clear of such problems and gain a competitive edge when negotiating any contract.

Tina L. Stark examines the underlying rationale as well as the practical implications of this vital, yet often overlooked, language. Negotiating and Drafting explains the key legal and business issues, what is and what is not negotiable, and how to take into account recent decisions.

The far-reaching and often unintended consequences of so-called "boilerplate" is covered in-depth in the book's 23 chapters. Every chapter includes: the legal background of the profession; a detailed analysis of the various forms of...