Category: Veterinary Practice Litigation

Individual liability refers to situations where a veterinarian, practice owner, or employee may be held personally responsible for legal claims, debts, or damages. While business entities such as LLCs, PLLCs, and professional corporations can provide significant protection, those protections are not absolute. Veterinary professionals often focus on patient care,...

Financing a veterinary practice is not the same as financing many other small businesses. While SBA loans are commonly used for veterinary practice acquisitions and expansions, lenders often evaluate veterinary practices using industry-specific factors. Veterinary practices tend to have recurring client relationships, stable demand, and measurable cash flow. As...

Veterinary practice owners thinking about an eventual exit often tend to focus on revenue, client volume, and profitability when considering the practice’s value. Those numbers certainly matter, but buyers also look closely at what happens when the owner steps away. If too much of the practice depends on one person, that can...

When a veterinary practice owner considers selling their practice or bringing in investors, they will want to maximize the practice’s valuation to get the most for the work they’ve put into building their business. But what factors can increase or decrease the value of a practice? Knowing what affects valuation can help...

Veterinary practices rely on reputation, referrals, and online visibility, but not all marketing tactics are legally safe. Misleading ads, improper use of client reviews, and unintentional regulatory violations can expose your practice to fines or license issues, not to mention pushback from your existing and prospective client bases. As...

Informed consent has always been part of veterinary care, but the expectations around it keep changing. Today, veterinarians are under more pressure to explain tests, treatment options, and surgery risks in a clear, honest way. Clients want to understand what’s happening with their pets, especially as new technology and telemedicine become more...

Courts and lawmakers across the country are changing how they consider companion animals in legal matters. For decades, pets were treated as personal property—the same as furniture or other personal items—in legal disputes. But now, that view is starting to shift.  States such as Illinois, Alaska,

Non-compete clauses have long been a staple in veterinary employment contracts, designed to prevent veterinarians or staff from leaving a practice and immediately competing nearby. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a sweeping ban on non-compete agreements across the United States. If adopted, this rule could significantly reshape how...

Production-based pay structures have become increasingly common in veterinary practices across the country. For many associate veterinarians, this model offers the potential for higher earnings—if structured fairly. But for others, unclear contract terms, unrealistic expectations, or shifting clinic policies can lead to confusion and under-compensation. At Mahan Law,...

Leasing commercial space is one of the most significant overhead expenses veterinary practices face. While standard leases are common, many landlords offer (or require) what’s known as a triple net lease (NNN). If you’re considering this type of lease for your clinic, it’s essential to understand what you’re agreeing to—and how it...

Real estate decisions can have a long-lasting impact on the success of your veterinary practice. Whether you’re opening a new location, expanding an existing clinic, or renegotiating a lease, the terms of your lease or real estate agreement can affect your financial flexibility, operational freedom, and long-term business value.