Employment Contract Request Template

Employment contracts protect both parties — and this form makes sure attorneys have everything they need before the first call. It captures the perspective (employer, employee, or contractor), employment classification, role details, desired contract terms, and specific concerns, so consultations are focused on legal strategy rather than information collection.

Use this template

Last updated 21 August 2026

Fields in this template

Your Full Namerequired
Email Addressrequired
Phone Number
Company Namerequired
Are you submitting this as an employer or employee?required
Employer — I am hiring or contracting someone · Employee — I am being asked to sign a contract · Contractor / Freelancer — I need a contract for my own services
Employment Typerequired
Full-time employee (W-2) · Part-time employee (W-2) · Independent contractor (1099) · Freelancer / project-based · Executive / C-suite · Intern or apprentice · Seasonal or temporary
Position or Rolerequired
Contract Start Date (if known)
Key Terms to Includerequired
Specific Concerns or Provisions

Who uses this template

Employment attorneysHR law firmsGeneral counsel servicesFreelancer-focused legal platformsExecutive compensation attorneysStartup legal advisorsHR consulting firmsIndependent contractors seeking legal review

About this template

Employment contracts sit at the intersection of business risk, personal livelihood, and complex labor law. A poorly drafted agreement — whether it misclassifies a worker, omits an IP assignment clause, or includes an unenforceable non-compete — can cost thousands in litigation or destroy a professional relationship. An intake form that captures the full scope of what's needed before the first attorney conversation saves time on both sides and results in a better-drafted document.

The employer-versus-employee framing is one of the most important questions on this form. An employer drafting an offer letter needs advice on at-will language, non-competes, and IP ownership. An employee reviewing a contract needs advice on negotiation strategy, problematic clauses, and what's standard versus unusual. A freelancer writing their own service agreement needs completely different language around deliverables, payment terms, and liability. One form that handles all three perspectives gives your practice a single intake point without requiring three separate pages.

formformform makes it easy to add this form to your employment law services page, share it with clients who call in with contract questions, or embed it in your law firm's client portal. The key terms and specific concerns fields together give attorneys a detailed brief they can use to prepare a first draft or a negotiation memo before the consultation begins.

12 form ideas you can build with this template

Startup First Employee Offer Letter Form

Captures equity vesting schedule preferences, cliff period, and at-will language needs so the attorney can draft a seed-stage-appropriate offer letter.

Executive Employment Agreement Request

Asks about bonus structures, equity grants, change-in-control provisions, and severance expectations specific to C-suite and VP-level engagements.

Independent Contractor Service Agreement Form

Collects deliverable description, payment milestone structure, and IP ownership preference so the attorney can draft a client-facing service agreement.

Remote Work Agreement Addendum Request

Asks which state the remote employee will work from, equipment policy, and expense reimbursement terms to amend an existing employment contract.

Non-Compete Review Request Form

Captures the current employer's state of incorporation and the employee's state of residence alongside the specific non-compete clause for enforceability analysis.

Seasonal Worker Employment Contract Form

Collects start and end dates, hourly rate, and whether the role may convert to permanent so the attorney can draft a fixed-term agreement with appropriate conversion language.

International Hire Employment Agreement Form

Captures the employee's home country, currency for payment, and which entity will employ them to address jurisdiction, benefits, and tax withholding considerations.

Part-Time Employee Contract Request

Asks for guaranteed hours per week, overtime eligibility, and benefit pro-ration method so the agreement clearly defines the part-time arrangement.

Academic Research Employment Contract Form

Collects grant funding source, publication rights, and IP ownership expectations specific to university and research institution employment contexts.

Nanny or Household Employee Contract Form

Asks for hours, live-in status, duties, vacation policy, and whether the household intends to process payroll taxes to draft a compliant domestic employment agreement.

Sales Commission Agreement Request

Captures commission rate structure, draw against commission terms, territory definition, and clawback provisions for the attorney to document in a compensation schedule.

Intern Agreement Request Form

Asks whether the internship is paid or unpaid, academic credit requirements, and IP assignment expectations to ensure compliance with the FLSA primary beneficiary test.

What's included

Employer/employee/contractor perspective radio for correct legal framing

Employment type dropdown covering all common classifications

Role and position field for context-specific advice

Contract start date for urgency assessment

Key terms field for comprehensive drafting briefs

Specific concerns field to surface negotiation priorities

Instant notification so attorneys can prepare before consultations

How to create an employment contract request

1
Click 'Use this template' to load the employment contract request form into your formformform account.
2
Update the intro to specify whether your firm handles drafting, review, or both, so clients arrive with the right expectations.
3
Adjust the employment type options to reflect the worker classifications most common in your practice area.
4
Set up email notifications for your employment law team or intake coordinator.
5
Embed the form on your employment law services page and consider adding it to your general client intake flow as an optional step.
6
Reference the key terms and specific concerns fields in your consultation preparation checklist.

Best practices for your employment contract request

Distinguish between drafting and review requests

the key terms field is more relevant for drafting; the specific concerns field is more relevant for review. Both are valuable, so keep both.

Flag executive and C-suite classification early

executive compensation agreements are materially more complex than standard employment contracts and may require specialist routing.

Check for worker misclassification signals

if a client selects 'independent contractor' but describes duties that sound like regular employment, flag this for a classification analysis discussion.

Address non-competes in your jurisdiction specifically

enforceability varies enormously by state. California bans most; others enforce them broadly. The start date field helps identify rush situations.

Treat the start date field as an urgency indicator

a start date two weeks out requires a different response than one three months away. Prioritize urgent reviews accordingly.

Follow up on 'specific concerns' field responses first

clients who name a specific clause or red flag are often already nervous about the contract and need prompt, reassuring communication.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an attorney to draft an employment contract?

You aren't legally required to use an attorney, but employment contracts involve nuanced issues — worker classification, IP ownership, non-compete enforceability, and benefit compliance — where mistakes can be expensive. An attorney ensures the document is both enforceable and fair.

What's the difference between an employee and an independent contractor for contract purposes?

The distinction affects tax withholding, benefit eligibility, and legal protections. Misclassifying an employee as a contractor exposes employers to significant penalties. An attorney can review the actual working relationship and advise on the correct classification.

Can an employee negotiate an employment contract?

Yes. Most employment contracts are negotiable, especially for professional roles. Common negotiation points include compensation, title, start date, non-compete scope, and severance terms. An attorney can identify what's standard and what to push back on.

Are non-compete clauses enforceable?

Enforceability varies significantly by state. California, Minnesota, and North Dakota broadly prohibit them. Other states enforce them with varying standards of reasonableness in scope, geography, and duration. An employment attorney in your jurisdiction can assess your specific clause.

How long does it take to draft an employment contract?

A standard employment agreement typically takes 2-5 business days to draft and review once an attorney has the full brief. Urgent requests — especially with a near-term start date — should be flagged in the urgency context of the submission.