Author: Richmond Cariaga

Female veterinarian hugging a beautiful golden retriever outside of an animal hospital. Looking at the camera and smiling. The doctor is wearing blue medical scrubs and a stethoscope around her neck.

Estate Planning for Veterinary Practice Owners

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As the owner of a veterinary practice, it’s essential to protect the stability and success of your veterinary practice. As veterinarians progress in their careers, estate planning becomes more complex and important. 

Ensuring your veterinary practice is protected before and after your death is an essential aspect of estate planning. At Mahan Law, we routinely work with our client’s financial and tax advisors to create an effective, comprehensive estate planning strategy. Knowing you’re in control and prepared with an estate plan can give you a sense of empowerment and peace of mind.

Creating a Will or Trust for Veterinary Estate Planning

Creating a will or trust is an important aspect of estate planning for veterinarians. However, creating a last will and testament may not fully protect your assets. You may benefit from creating a living or irrevocable trust to protect your assets fully. 

Creating a trust and transferring your assets into the trust allows your beneficiaries to avoid the probate process, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Additionally, a trust can help you avoid estate taxes. Using a trust may help you limit your tax liability. 

Long-Term Care Planning

Long-term care planning is a crucial aspect of creating an estate plan as an attorney. As a veterinarian, you likely have malpractice insurance. It’s also important to have disability and long-term care insurance. Life insurance can give your loved ones the assets they need soon after you pass away. You may benefit from creating a life insurance trust to protect the proceeds from potential creditors. 

Mahan Law will work with you to ensure you have the robust insurance policies you need to access long-term care while protecting your assets for your beneficiaries. Another aspect of long-term care planning includes:

  • creating advance directives,
  • a healthcare power of attorney,
  • and a durable financial power of attorney who can make decisions for you if you become incapacitated.

This comprehensive planning will provide you with a strong sense of security.

Using a Succession Plan for Your Veterinary Practice

The first step in creating a business succession plan is ensuring that your business will continue to operate functionally and profitably. Our legal team can assess the best succession plan based on your goals and discuss questions like how your business will continue or whether it will be sold. 

For example, if you plan on selling your veterinary practice to another owner, we can help you create a plan. Preparing to sell your business can help you obtain the maximum value of compensation instead of needing to quickly sell the practice for a purchase price that is too low. 

If you’d like your practice to continue, consider the key players and how you plan to retain them in your veterinary practice after your death. You’ll also need to consider in what capacities you’d like your employees to be involved in managing your veterinary practice. Naming a new owner and practice manager in your successful plan can help your practice transition smoothly after you pass away. 

Contact an Attorney for Veterinary Practices Today

At Mahan Law, we are prepared to help you create a comprehensive estate plan that addresses your goals. As a veterinary practice owner, founding attorney Anthony A. Mahan understands the unique challenges veterinarians face during estate planning. We will take the time to understand your situation and goals to create an effective, comprehensive estate plan. Contact Mahan Law to schedule a free case evaluation today.

We provide experienced legal consulting services for veterinary practices throughout the United States, including the states of Ohio, Florida, Kentucky, and Indiana.

Small dog aggression concept in house scenery

When Pets Bite: Understanding Your Legal Obligations as a Veterinary Practice

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While many pets are friendly and easy to treat, some who visit the veterinarian are stressed, in pain, or haven’t been socialized. These pets pose a risk of biting the veterinarian, a staff member, or another dog. Understanding your legal obligations as a veterinary clinic or hospital owner after a dog bite incident is crucial for protecting your practice. 

How Common Are Dog Bites at Veterinary Clinics?

Veterinarians, veterinary techs, and support staff are much more likely to suffer dog bite injuries than the general public. The American Veterinary Medical Association reports approximately three injuries for every 1,000 animal encounters at veterinary offices. 

The most common injuries caused by dog bites at veterinary clinics include injuries to the hands, fingers, and wrists. The most common type of dog bite injury at a veterinary clinic is a puncture wound, but lacerations, contusions, and other types of wounds can also occur.

Can a Veterinarian or Staff Member Sue a Customer for a Dog Bite?

If you’re a veterinary practice staff member and a customer’s dog has injured you, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries through a legal claim. Generally, dog owners are liable for any injuries their pets cause. Veterinary practices are generally not liable when a customer’s dog bites unless they negligently monitored the animal, causing the attack.

Every state has passed laws that hold dog owners liable for injuries caused by their pets. In some states, the owner may be able to defend themselves by claiming the victim was aware of the dog’s dangerous nature before they were bitten. The dog’s owner may be able to avoid paying compensation by claiming the victim assumed the risk of handling a dangerous dog. 

Exceptions to the Assumption of Risk Defense in Dog Bite Cases

There are some standard exceptions to the assumption of risk defense. For example, the victim may still be able to hold the dog’s owner liable and recover compensation if the owner still had complete control of the dog when the attack happened. 

For example, if a staff member walks by a dog sitting with its owner in the lobby and the dog lunges at them and bites them, they’d likely be able to sue the dog’s owner successfully. Additionally, the victim could be successful if the owner hides information from them indicating that the dog was especially dangerous. 

What to Do If a Customer’s Dog Attacks at Your Veterinary Practice

The steps you take after a dog bite attack are important. First, you should seek immediate medical attention by calling 911. You should also report the incident to the police. Write down identifying information about the dog, take photographs of your wounds, and write how the incident occurred. 

Your next step should be to speak to an attorney. An attorney can review the facts of the incident and advise you on the best strategy to recover compensation, whether through a personal injury lawsuit, an insurance claim, or a workers’ compensation claim. 

Contact Our Experienced Nationwide Veterinary Lawyers

Speaking to a skilled attorney as soon as possible after the dog bite incident can help you protect yourself and your veterinary practice. At Mahan Law – Veterinary Attorney, our experienced attorneys will provide tailored legal guidance, help you understand your legal rights, and help you pursue any legal proceedings, if necessary. Don’t hesitate to contact Mahan Law – Veterinary Attorney to schedule a free case evaluation.

Woman veterinarian is with dog in the clinic.

Protecting Your Veterinary Brand: Trademark, Copyrights, and Intellectual Property 101

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If you’re a busy veterinary practice owner, intellectual property may be the last thing on your mind. However, failing to protect your copyrights and trademarks could hurt your practice and prevent you from growing your brand. One of the best ways to protect your overall brand is to protect your intellectual property. This article will discuss how you can protect your trademarks and copyrights as a veterinary practice owner. 

What Types of Intellectual Property Can I Protect?

Any work or product resulting from someone’s original thought is considered intellectual property. As a veterinary practice owner, it’s important for you to take steps to protect your valuable intellectual property from being stolen. Common examples of a veterinary practice’s intellectual property include the following:

  • Business names
  • Inventions
  • Artwork
  • Logos and other designs
  • Written articles
  • Product names
  • Website content

Protecting Your Brand Through Trademarks

Taking the time to trademark the name of your veterinary process can help you compete and expand your practice. As a veterinarian, you know that your practice’s name and reputation go a long way toward your success. When customers choose a veterinarian, they want to be able to trust your practice to care for their beloved pets, who are often like family members. 

Creating a strong brand, including a trademarked name and logo, not only gives you a comprehensive brand for all of your services and products but also empowers you to protect your business from counterfeit products. It ensures customers don’t confuse you with another product, and allows your customers to locate you more easily on social media platforms. This strategic move can significantly enhance your business’s visibility and credibility. 

Filing for a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) gives you significant legal protection. Filing for trademark protection is relatively inexpensive and provides a trademark certificate valid for ten years increments in exchange for a small maintenance fee. Filing a trademark can also help you avoid litigation from another veterinary practice claiming you violated their trademarks. 

Copyrighting Your Veterinary Practice’s Website

As a veterinary practice owner, your website is an essential asset for your company. Many customers look at a business’s website, make an impression, and decide whether to book an appointment. 

You have the right to obtain a copyright for the eligible pages on your website because they include tangible, original, and creative work. When you publish your website online, it’s wise to register a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office. If you work with a web developer, ensuring your contract ensures you own the copyright exclusively is important. 

An attorney can help you identify which parts of your website can be copyrighted and submit a completed application form, a filing fee, and a deposit. When you successfully apply, the U.S. Copyright Office will list your website on public record, providing potential copyright infringers notice. 

If a violator, such as a competitor, willfully copies your veterinary website, you can pursue damages of up to $150,000. This protection cannot only prevent others from using your content without permission but also enhance your reputation as a unique and innovative veterinary practice.

Contact Our Experienced Nationwide Veterinary Lawyers

To ensure comprehensive protection of your intellectual property as a veterinary practice owner, it’s crucial to seek guidance from an experienced veterinary lawyer. The skilled lawyers at Mahan Law are here to provide you with the necessary legal advice and assistance to protect your valuable intellectual property. Please contact us to schedule a free initial consultation and take the first step towards safeguarding your business. 

a vet who is starting a veterinary practice in michigan and holding a bunny

Starting Your Veterinary Practice in Michigan: Legal Essentials You Must Know

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If you are interested in opening a veterinary practice in the state of Michigan, you must make sure that you comply with your state’s legal requirements. Fortunately, however, you don’t need to be a legal expert to open your own practice. By hiring a knowledgeable veterinary lawyer, you can ensure that your new veterinary practice meets all of Michigan’s legal requirements. Specifically, your Michigan veterinary attorney will complete all required paperwork, filings, and contracts. For information on starting your own veterinary practice in Michigan, please contact the experienced veterinary attorneys at Mahan Law. 

I. Questions to Ask Yourself 

Starting your own veterinary practice is a major undertaking. So, before jumping into practice ownership, you should understand your goals and motivations for starting a practice. An excellent way to determine this is to ask yourself the following questions before you start the process: 

  • What are the reasons for wanting to open my own veterinary practice?
  • Where do I want to open my practice?
  • How large will my staff be?
  • What types of veterinary services will I offer? 
  • What can I do to make my practice successful? 

Answering questions like these will not only help you clarify your goals and motivations, but it can also help you identify the legal steps you must take to accomplish these goals. For additional information on the steps necessary to start a veterinary practice, please contact a veterinary practice lawyer.

II. Legal Requirements

After taking the steps above, you can begin the legal process of starting your practice. Although there are a number of valid ways to start a new veterinary practice, the basic legal steps are relatively uniform. For a complete list of the legal steps necessary to start a veterinary practice in Michigan, please contact an experienced veterinary lawyer. 

A. Structure Your Business

Before doing anything else, you should register your new veterinary practice as a legal business entity. Choosing the appropriate business structure can help protect you by ensuring that you and your personal property are legally separate from your new practice. This helps ensure that you won’t be held personally liable for legal judgements against your practice. To register your veterinary practice in Michigan as a legal entity, you must comply with multiple legal requirements, making it imperative to seek the assistance of an experienced Michigan veterinary lawyer.  

Depending on your chosen business structure, you will likely be required to register with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. To get started, visit their website here. 

B. Create Tax Accounts 

Next, you must register to pay taxes. The first step in this process is to apply for a federal Employer Identification Number on the IRS’s website here. Next, you must address your new practice’s small business taxes. Depending on the business structure you choose for your practice, you will have several different options for meeting your tax obligations. For information on how to pay your state taxes in Michigan, click here. 

C. Create Business Accounts

Another key step when starting a new veterinary practice is establishing financial accounts for your practice. This is important for several reasons. For one, creating business accounts will protect your personal assets and property. Next, doing so may allow you to obtain financing in the name of your practice. Finally, by separating your personal and business assets, you can make it easier to keep track of your finances and file taxes. For assistance with these issues, it is recommended that you seek the assistance of a financial professional.

D. Apply for Licenses and Permits

Finally, opening a new veterinary practice will require you to obtain several licenses and permits. Common permits and licenses that are required to open a veterinary practice include: 

  • State and local veterinary board certification
  • General business license
  • Zoning permit
  • Fire alarm permit
  • Sales tax on goods and services
  • OSHA requirements
  • Certificate of occupancy 
  • X-ray permit

Information on the permitting and licensing requirements in your local area may be obtained by contacting the appropriate local agencies. For additional information, please visit the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ website here.

E. Contact a Michigan Veterinary Attorney Today

Finally, if you would like to open your own veterinary practice in Michigan, you should contact an experienced veterinary attorney as soon as possible for assistance. Although the above information provides a great starting point for opening a veterinary practice in Michigan, it is not a substitute for an experienced Michigan veterinary attorney. Fortunately, at Mahan Law, our experienced veterinary legal professionals know what it takes to get a veterinary practice up and running. In addition to ensuring that you comply with all legal requirements, we will provide you with legal guidance on the regulations, rules, and requirements that apply to your local area. Please contact us to arrange an initial meeting with one of our experienced veterinary lawyers.

a women veterinarian looking over her trademarks and intellectual property on the computer

Protecting Your Veterinary Business: Trademarks and Intellectual Property

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Just like other businesses, veterinary practices must take steps to ensure that their trademarks and intellectual property are protected. Unfortunately, however, many veterinary practice owners overlook this key issue. Failing to protect your intellectual property as a veterinary practice owner can place you at a major disadvantage in the marketplace.

Therefore, it’s imperative that you work with an experienced veterinary practice attorney to protect your property. In this article, we discuss how to protect your intellectual property as a veterinary practice owner. 

What is Intellectual Property? 

Intellectual property is any work or product that is a result of a person’s original thought. As a business owner, it’s important to take steps to protect your intellectual property to keep other businesses from using it. Examples of intellectual property include:

  • Business names
  • Website content
  • Inventions
  • Artwork
  • Designs
  • Manuscripts
  • Articles
  • Product names 

Steps to Protecting Your Intellectual Property

As a veterinary practice owner, you should take steps to protect your business’s intellectual property. By following the steps below, you lower the odds of having to deal with the theft of your intellectual property. 

(1) Keep Your Trade Secrets and Business Ideas a Secret

Until you have taken the legal steps necessary to protect your intellectual property, you should avoid discussing it with others or publicly disclosing it. Any time you discuss confidential information about your business with others, you risk it being stolen. And if you are working with business partners, you should seek the assistance of an attorney to help you draft non-disclosure agreements.

(2) Document Your Original Content and Ideas

Any time you come up with original ideas and content related to your practice, you should document them. Plans, records, descriptions, and detailed drawings are examples of the types of documentation that can help protect your intellectual property. Such proof can be helpful if someone challenges you as the owner of your copyrights and trademarks. 

(3) Apply for a Trademark

Once you’ve chosen a name and logo for your veterinary practice, you should register them immediately. A memorable trademark that is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office will give you a significant advantage over your competitors.

(4) Register Your Intellectual Property, Creative Works, and Trade Secrets

Finally, in addition to your trademarks, you should work with an experienced veterinary attorney to register the remainder of your assets. When doing so, you should write down all the details of your intellectual property in order to register and distinguish it from similar existing ideas. 

Contact Our Experienced Nationwide Veterinary Lawyers 

As a veterinary practice owner, it’s important to protect your intellectual property. For assistance with protecting your veterinary practice’s intellectual property, you should contact an experienced veterinary lawyer. At Mahan Law, our experienced and knowledgeable veterinary professionals are here to help you take the legal steps necessary to ensure that your intellectual property remains protected. Please contact us as soon as possible to schedule an initial consultation with a talented veterinary attorney.

a vet who is about do do a veterinary startup and need to know the legal regulations

Navigating Regulations: A Legal Guide for Veterinary Startups

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Starting a veterinary practice can be exciting, personally fulfilling, and highly lucrative. However, failing to comply with legal requirements can put a halt to your practice before it has a chance to get off the ground. Therefore, when starting a new veterinary practice, it’s imperative to consult with an experienced veterinary attorney.

A veterinary attorney will work with you to ensure compliance with all laws and regulations, giving you the freedom to focus on what is most important—the health of your clients. In this article, we discuss some important considerations for veterinary startups.  

Options for Starting a Veterinary Practice

Although there are several ways to start a veterinary practice, the most common ones are as follows:

  • Purchase an existing practice: The most common way to start a new practice is to purchase an existing veterinary practice. This can be a great option, especially if the existing practice comes with an existing staff and customers. However, to pursue this option, you must accurately value the practice and negotiate a fair price. Fortunately, an experienced veterinary attorney can help ensure an accurate valuation and smooth transaction. 
  • Join a veterinary corporation: Another option for starting your own veterinary practice is to join a veterinary corporation. Veterinary corporations provide practices with multiple benefits, such as access to capital, marketing assistance, and back-office support. This is a good option for veterinarians who lack the resources to buy an existing veterinary practice. In this type of arrangement, veterinary corporation directors, officers, and shareholders are required to follow specific legal guidelines and share profits with the veterinary corporation, which makes it imperative to seek the assistance of an experienced veterinary attorney when pursuing this option. 
  • Build a new practice: A third option for starting a veterinary practice is to build one from scratch. Although this option can be risky, it can also be highly rewarding. To successfully pursue this option, you should work with a knowledgeable attorney to research practices in your area, secure financing, draft a business plan, hire staff, and promote your practice. 

Key Legal Considerations

There is a litany of legal requirements for veterinary startups, making it necessary to seek legal guidance when opening your own practice. One area with extensive legal requirements is permitting. All veterinary practices must comply with state permitting and registration requirements. Key permitting requirements include: 

  • Registration with the Secretary of State 
  • Issuance of a federal tax ID number
  • Issuance of a state tax ID number
  • Registration with the Department of Labor
  • Issuance of a sales tax license

Contact Our Experienced Veterinary Attorneys 

Due to the multiple legal requirements for starting a new veterinary practice, you should seek legal guidance for assistance with the process. At Mahan Law, our experienced veterinary lawyers understand what it takes to get your veterinary practice up and running. So, when you come to us for assistance, we will ensure that you comply with the legal steps required to get your practice off the ground. Please contact us to schedule a meeting with one of our experienced veterinary lawyers.

a veterinarian looking at a dog in the vet clinic

Insurance for Veterinarians: Legal Insights for Coverage

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There are many steps you can take to protect your livelihood as a veterinarian. One of the most important things you can do to ensure that you and your business remain protected is purchase insurance. There are many types of insurance available to veterinarians. Often, to ensure maximum protection, several policies are necessary. In this article, we discuss insurance for veterinarians. 

License Defense 

It’s important to take every precaution necessary when it comes to your veterinary license. Unfortunately, there are many events that can place your license in jeopardy. Depending on the state you live in, disciplinary measures may include suspension, fines, or even revocation. So, when an event arises that places your license in danger, it is important for you to mount a strong defense against state licensing board complaints. This is where license defense insurance is important. License defense insurance will cover your legal expenses in defense of complaints against you that are brought by your state licensing board. The coverage is sometimes included in professional liability insurance, which is discussed below. 

Professional Liability 

This type of insurance protects veterinarians against work-related negligence allegations. The three primary types of professional liability insurance policies are as follows:  

Individual policy: An individual professional insurance policy provides protection to a single party. 

Group policy: A group policy names an entire veterinary practice as the insured party. This type of veterinary insurance policy typically covers the entire practice and all of its employees and veterinarians. When this type of policy is in place, individual policies aren’t necessary. 

Business policy: This type of policy is like a group policy, but professional liability, license defense, and animal bailee coverages are included.

Animal Bailee 

Animal bailee insurance is designed to protect a veterinary practice if an animal dies or is injured while in its care, custody, or control. This kind of insurance coverage is typically subject to a deductible. Common types of animal bailee policies include: 

Individual policy: This type of policy is usually offered as an optional third component for solo veterinarians after professional liability coverage and license defense.

Group policy: A group policy is like the individual coverage discussed above, but it is applicable to the whole practice. 

Business: A business policy is often incorporated into an overall commercial property and liability policy. Examples of events in which this type of insurance policy may apply include:  

  • A fire
  • A natural disaster
  • An issue involving a fenced area, cage, or corral
  • A fight between two or more animals
  • An animal escape

Contact Our Experienced Nationwide Veterinary Attorneys 

If you need veterinary legal assistance of any kind, Mahan Law is on your side. At Mahan Law, our distinguished veterinary team understands what it takes to protect you and your veterinary practice. When you come to us for assistance, we will address the unique needs of your practice in a manner that is legally valid and efficient. Please contact us today to schedule an initial consultation with one of our experienced and knowledgeable veterinary lawyers.

a veterinarian tending to a horse in texas

Starting Your Veterinary Practice in Texas: Legal Essentials You Must Know

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If you are interested in opening a veterinary practice in Texas, you must ensure that you comply with all legal requirements. Fortunately, an experienced veterinary attorney can ensure that your new practice is legally compliant and poised for success. When you hire a veterinary practice attorney, he or she will work with you to complete all necessary paperwork, filings, and agreements. In this article, we discuss some of the legal essentials you must know to start a veterinary practice in Texas.  

Choose a Legal Structure

Before doing anything else, you should register a legal business entity. Choosing the right entity will ensure that you and your property remain legally separate from your practice. This is important because it ensures that you won’t be personally liable for judgments against your practice. To register your practice, you must comply with all local and federal requirements, which is yet another reason to work with an experienced attorney when getting your new practice off the ground. 

Register for Taxes 

Before opening your veterinary practice for business, you must register for a variety of state and federal taxes. First, you must apply for an Employer Identification Number. This can be accomplished for free through the IRS website. Next, you must account for small business taxes. Depending on the business structure you decide on, you will have different taxation options.

Establish Business Accounts

Next, you should establish dedicated credit and banking accounts for your business. There are several reasons for this. First, this will protect your personal assets. Second, when you have good business credit, you can obtain financing in the name of your business. Finally, separating your personal assets from your business assets makes tax filing and accounting much easier. 

Establish an Accounting Process

Regarding taxes and finances, it’s important that you establish a solid accounting process for your business. Recording your income sources and business expenses is crucial to understanding your practice’s financial performance. There are several useful software accounting tools available for small businesses. In addition, it’s advisable to consult with an experienced accountant or bookkeeper to ensure that your practice’s finances are in order. 

Obtain the Proper Permits

When starting a new business of any kind, you must obtain the necessary licenses and permits in your area. For a veterinary practice, these will likely include the following:

  • Local and state veterinary board certification
  • Sales tax on services or goods
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements
  • Certificate of Occupancy 

Contact Our Experienced Texas Veterinary Attorneys 

If you are seeking to start a veterinary practice in Texas, Mahan Law is here to help. At Mahan Law, our experienced veterinary professionals know what it takes to successfully get a veterinary practice off the ground. Therefore, when you come to us for help, we will ensure the legal validity of all steps necessary to launch your practice. Please contact us as soon as possible to arrange an initial meeting with one of our experienced veterinary lawyers.

a veterinarian speaking with an employee about veterinary contracts

Handling Disputes: The Importance of Clear Veterinary Contracts

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All well-run businesses rely on contracts, and veterinary clinics are no exception. Veterinary clinics rely on many types of contractual relationships, including employment contracts, leases, and contracts with clients. As a rule, it is important to strive for clarity when drafting business contracts. Although there are several reasons for this, the primary reason is that clear contracts ensure that all parties involved understand their contractual obligations. Contracts that are unclear, however, are more likely to lead to legal disputes. In this article, we examine the importance of clear veterinary contracts. 

Basic Contract Requirements and Remedies

Before examining the importance of clear veterinary contracts, it is helpful to understand the elements of a valid contract. The basic elements of a legally enforceable contract are: 

  • Mutual assent of the parties, which is expressed by a valid offer and acceptance; 
  • Adequate consideration, which means that each party offers something of value to the other; 
  • Capacity, which means that the parties are each legally capable of entering a contractual agreement; and 
  • Legality, which means that the subject of the contract is permissible under the law.

When parties fail to fulfill their contractual obligations, possible remedies include:

  • General damages;
  • Consequential damages;
  • Reliance damages; and 
  • Specific performance.  

Benefits of Clear Veterinary Contracts

As noted above, clear veterinary contracts are imperative in the veterinary industry. There are several benefits to drafting clear veterinary contracts, including: 

Reducing confusion: Contractual uncertainty can take a toll on business relations and lead to litigation. Clarity, on the other hand, can help reduce confusion and possible legal action.

Building trust: Clear, well-drafted contracts can help cultivate an atmosphere of trust between contracting parties. However, when terms are ambiguous, the parties are less likely to trust one another.  

Clear expectations: Clear and concise contractual language can help provide the contracting parties with a clear understanding of their respective responsibilities and expectations.

New opportunities: Finally, in some situations, potential clients or other parties may be reluctant to enter into contracts that lack clarity. On the other hand, new business partners, employees, customers, and others are much more likely to enter contracts that are clear and understandable. 

Importance of Hiring a Veterinary Contract Attorney to Draft Contracts 

Given the importance of drafting clear veterinary contracts, it’s imperative that you seek the assistance of a veterinary contract attorney for all contractual matters. Without an experienced veterinary contract attorney on your side, your odds of making mistakes increase drastically. Mistakes made during the contracting process can lead to legal disputes down the road. When you hire an experienced veterinary attorney, however, he or she will draft a veterinary contract that addresses your unique needs, helping you to avoid lengthy and expensive litigation in the process. 

Contact an Experienced Veterinary Contract Attorney 

At Mahan Law, our experienced veterinary contract attorneys are here to help you draft and execute clear contracts for your veterinary practice. When you come to us for help, we will take the steps necessary to fulfill your practice’s contractual needs. Please contact us today to schedule an initial meeting with an experienced veterinary contract attorney.

veterinary staff being hired

Hiring and Onboarding Staff: Legal Best Practices for New Veterinary Practices

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As a veterinarian, your employees are your practice’s greatest asset. Without a strong team around you, your practice is unlikely to thrive. Therefore, to ensure the protection of:

  • you,
  • your practice,
  • your employees,
  • and your customers,

you must ensure that you have a comprehensive and legally sound hiring and onboarding process. In this article, we discuss the best legal practices for hiring and onboarding veterinary staff. 

Comply with Employment Laws for Veterinary Practice

All businesses with employees must ensure compliance with relevant employment laws—and veterinary practices are no exception. However, employment law is complicated. With countless state and federal employment laws that apply to veterinary practices, ensuring compliance can be difficult—if not impossible—for non-attorneys.

Therefore, to ensure compliance with all federal and state hiring requirements, it is imperative that you work with an experienced veterinary business law attorney. A knowledgeable attorney will help you establish a legally sound hiring process that will afford maximum protection to you and your employees. 

Create Fair and Clear Employment Contracts

Next, when hiring new employees for your veterinary practice, it’s imperative that you draft clear and fair employment contracts. However, to be legally enforceable, each contract must comply with all applicable federal and state laws. Therefore, it is advisable to seek the assistance of an experienced veterinary business law attorney for all contractual matters. Although every contract is different, some common veterinary contract provisions include: 

  • Term: The term is the time period during which the contract is effective. 
  • Duties: Veterinary employment contracts should clearly outline the requirements of the position.
  • Schedule and compensation: Veterinary employment contracts should also detail the number of required work hours in a given time frame and the position’s compensation and benefits. 
  • Termination: Finally, veterinary employment contracts should outline the ways in which the employment contract may be terminated. In addition, each agreement should indicate whether there is a time frame for notice if the employee or employer decides to end the professional relationship. 

Implement Employment Policies and Procedures for Vets

Without a set of employment policies and procedures in place, your employees will be left to guess as to how to meet your professional expectations. Not only can this hurt the overall effectiveness of your practice, but it can lead to legal disputes down the road.

Therefore, as a veterinary practice owner, it is imperative that you implement clear employment policies and procedures for your veterinary practice. When it comes to drafting policies and procedures for your employees, the more clarity you can provide about what you expect of them, the better. 

Contact an Experienced Veterinary Business Law Attorney 

At Mahan Law, our experienced veterinary business law attorneys are here to help you address the legal needs of your veterinary practice. Regardless of your specific needs or circumstances, our experienced veterinary team has the knowledge and experience to take the steps necessary to protect your practice. Please contact us to arrange an initial consultation with an experienced veterinary business law attorney.