Quick Facts — Employment Contract Lawyers (Tennessee)

What is a Tennessee Employment Contract?

A Tennessee employment contract is a legal contract drafted by an employer when hiring a new employee. An employment contract is used to negotiate the terms of the employee’s job duties, responsibilities and compensation.

Tennessee is an “at will” employment state. Under this doctrine employers can legally terminate any employee for any reason as long as the termination is not discriminatory or in violation of the law.

An employment contract overrides the “at-will” employment law and turns an employee into a contracted worker with benefits and protections from at-will termination.

Are Employment Contracts Enforceable in Tennessee?

Yes. Employment contracts are enforceable in Tennessee and are governed by Title 50 of the Tennessee Code. To be enforceable, an employment contract must include the basic elements of a contract : an offer, acceptance, and consideration. The contract cannot violate any laws or go against public policy.

What Are the Legal Requirements for Tennessee Employment Contracts?

In Tennessee, employment contracts can be written, oral, express, or implied. It is always best to have an express written contract that clearly states the terms and conditions of the agreement. This type of contract is easiest to enforce.

Even without a written contract, employees can still prove that an implied contract existed. For example, an employee handbook that outlines company policies and reasons for termination can be interpreted as a valid contract that overrides “at will” employment.

Types of Tennessee Employment Contracts

Employers can use one of many types of employment contracts depending on the intent of the contract. Commonly used employment contracts include:

  • Employment contract. An agreement of employment that outlines duties, compensation, company policy and causes for termination.
  • Non-compete agreement. A restrictive contract that prevents an employee from competing with the employer in the same industry by starting a new business or working for a competitor.
  • Severance contract. Establishes an employee’s rights to compensation when they are terminated or leave a company unwillingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I hire a lawyer to draft an employment contract in Tennessee?
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to draft an employment contract in Tennessee?
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to review an employment contract in Tennessee?

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North Carolina Employment Contract Review Review
  • North Carolina
  • 3 lawyer bids
  • $450 - $1,000
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Arizona COO employment contract Review
  • Arizona
  • 4 lawyer bids
  • $400 - $750
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California Employment Contract Review Review
  • California
  • 3 lawyer bids
  • $500 - $1,250
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Maryland Existing Employee asked to sign NDA, IP assignment and non-disparagement agreement Review
  • Maryland
  • 2 lawyer bids
  • $1 - $350
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Texas Employment Contract Review Review
  • Texas
  • 4 lawyer bids
  • $400 - $700
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Oklahoma review dental employment contract Review
  • Oklahoma
  • 8 lawyer bids
  • $450 - $875
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Forest H. on ContractsCounsel
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5.0 (66)
Member Since:
July 14, 2020

Forest H.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Nashville, TN
28 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TN FL, TX
Washington and Lee University

Forest is a general practice lawyer. He provides legal advice regarding small business law, contracts, estates and trusts, administrative law, corporate governance and compliance. Forest practiced complex commercial litigation in Florida for eight years, representing clients such as Host Marriott, Kellogg School of Business, and Toyota. Since moving to Nashville in 2005, he has provided legal advice to clients forming new businesses, planning for the future, and seeking funding through the use of equity and/or debt in their businesses. This advice has included the selection of business type, assistance in drafting and editing their business plans and offering material, reviewing proposed term sheets, and conducting due diligence. Forest is a member of the Florida, Tennessee, and Texas Bars; in addition. Forest has held a Series 7, General Securities Representative Exam, Series 24, General Securities Principal, and Series 63, Uniform Securities Agent State Law.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
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"I had a great experience working with Forest Hamilton during the acquisition process. Forest was professional, responsive, and easy to work with throughout the APA drafting and review process. Communication was clear, revisions were handled quickly, and he helped keep the transaction moving smoothly from start to finish. I appreciated his professionalism and willingness to answer questions throughout the process. Would definitely recommend him to others needing support with business acquisition agreements and transaction-related legal work. Thanks again, Forest."

Jessee B. on ContractsCounsel
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Member Since:
March 14, 2022

Jessee B.

Attorney & Founder of Creative Counsel Law
Tennessee
13 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TN
The University of Memphis—Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law | Juris Doctor, Law)

Whether you’re a founder, business owner, creative professional, creator, entertainer, influencer, podcaster, content creator, athlete, artist, actor, model, musician, startup, nonprofit, or entrepreneur, Creative Counsel Law is here to help you launch, scale, and protect your brand. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities of turning your vision into reality. That’s why we provide legal expertise, personalized counsel, and innovative solutions designed to meet your needs. Services include: > Creative Industry Counsel: Legal guidance for creators and creative professionals related to branding, design, writing, film, music, art, entertainment, social media, e-commerce, marketing, advertising, Name, Image, & Likeness (NIL), intellectual property, content creation, ownership, licensing, collaboration agreements, brand development and protection. > Fractional General Counsel: Ongoing legal guidance and support for businesses of all sizes. > Business Formation, Support & Legal Strategy: Tailored legal services and support to meet your business needs, including entity formation (partnerships, LLCs, corporations), corporate governance, compliance, strategic planning, financing, mergers and acquisitions, transactions, risk management, employment agreements, operational contracts, and regulatory guidance. > Intellectual Property: Trademark and copyright search, registration, renewal, and strategic solutions to safeguard your brand, creative assets, and intellectual property rights. > Contract Review, Drafting, & Negotiations: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements to protect your interests and advocate for the compensation you deserve; employment contracts, partnership agreements, vendor contracts, licensing deals, confidentiality agreements, joint venture agreements, service agreements, and more. > Startup & Nonprofit Guidance: Compliance strategies and support for growth and sustainability. > Real Estate Assistance: Guidance and expertise for property title issues, purchases, sales, leasing, contract negotiations, and compliance with real estate laws and regulations. At Creative Counsel Law, we combine legal expertise with a client-centered approach to empower innovators and entrepreneurs across industries. Your vision deserves a legal partner who understands both your business goals and your creative passions. Want to work together? Reach out to hello@creativecounsellaw.com and let us know what you need help with.

Rebecca R. on ContractsCounsel
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March 16, 2022

Rebecca R.

Attorney
Free Consultation
St. Petersburg, FL/Nashville, TN
25 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TN FL
University of Tennessee College of Law

Experienced attorneyin leasing, NDA, family law, commercial real estate, immigration and employment . Well versed in internal and external policy document and manual creation.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
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"Quickly understood our requirements and created a customized doc to meet our needs with a fast turnaround... We'd definitely work with Rebecca again!"

Christina S. on ContractsCounsel
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November 1, 2022

Christina S.

Managing Attorney
Free Consultation
Kingsport, TN
15 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TN
Appalachian Law School

I am an attorney who has been practicing for over a decade, experienced in multiple areas of law, both from a litigation and more procedural side. The great thing about my practice is that it has trained me to deal with so many different types of problems and to find solutions in a variety of legal scenarios that are almost never similar.

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"Christina was prompt and friendly and walked me through the steps I needed to take to file for my name change! She made the process much less intimidating and I highly recommend her services."

Abraham W. on ContractsCounsel
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Member Since:
November 18, 2021

Abraham W.

Owner
Free Consultation
Nashville, TN
7 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TN NY
Harvard Law School

Abraham's practice focuses on counseling emerging group companies in the technology and other commercial agreements, and assisting equity financings (specifically venture capital).

Amos M. on ContractsCounsel
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Member Since:
January 14, 2022

Amos M.

Principal
Free Consultation
Nashville, TN
18 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TN GA
Mississippi College School of Law

Since 2008, I have worked to assist clients in solving problems and addressing challenges that inevitably arise as a business grows - both anticipated and unexpected. My experience in Georgia and Tennessee in both drafting contracts and enforcing them via litigation and/or arbitration has provided clients with unique insights that help them anticipate problems and inform their decisions from start to finish.

Jerry L. on ContractsCounsel
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Member Since:
May 17, 2022

Jerry L.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Nashville, Tennessee
9 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TN
University of Tennessee

Jerry provides legal advice to business owners regarding contracts, business law, labor & employment, wills and estates, and real estate.

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Lawyer Reviews for Tennessee Employment Contract Projects

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"So prompt, thorough and helpful! Cannot recommend enough"

Georgia
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"Quality work with a wonderful timeline. Would recommend!"

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California
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Litigation

Employment Contract

Texas

Asked on Apr 23, 2023

What's the termination clause in an employment contract?

I recently accepted a position at a company and they have given me an employment contract to review. I have been reading through the contract and noticed a section regarding termination. However, I am not sure what the termination clause in the contract states and I am hoping to get some clarification from a lawyer. I want to make sure that I understand my rights and obligations before signing the contract.

Curt L.

Answered Apr 28, 2023

Most employment contracts contain (1) termination for cause, and/or (2) termination without cause (also known as at-will employment relationship).

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employment

Employment Contract

California

Asked on Apr 22, 2023

What's intellectual property in an employment contract?

I recently accepted a job offer that contained an employment contract. The contract states that I will not use any intellectual property of the company without prior written consent. I am unsure what exactly constitutes as intellectual property and would like to get a better understanding of the definition of intellectual property in the context of an employment contract.

Russell M.

Answered Apr 28, 2023

Your Agreement may contain a definition like this: “Intellectual Property” means recognized protectable rights and interests such as: patents (whether or not issued), copyrights, trademarks, service marks, applications for any of the foregoing, inventions, Confidential Information, trade secrets, trade dress, domain names, logos, insignia, color combinations, slogans, moral rights, right of publicity, author’s rights, contract and licensing rights, works, mask works, industrial design rights, rights of priority, know how, design flows, methodologies, devices business processes, developments, innovations. But a few of these are going to be most likely available to you. Internal company know-how or “ how we do things here that help us succeed”. Note the words “Confidential Information”. Confidential Information is another defined term which includes customer and employee information, pricing and business strategy and plans, among others.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employment

Employment Contract

Massachusetts

Asked on Apr 12, 2023

What's paid time off in an employment contract?

I am a recent college graduate and I am in the process of negotiating an employment contract with a large company. I am trying to make sure I understand the terms of the contract, including the paid time off that is offered. I am hoping to get a better understanding of what's included in the paid time off section of the contract so I can make an informed decision about the offer.

Joseph M.

Answered May 12, 2023

Paid Time Off (PTO) is essentially days (or even hours) that the employee is not required to work but the employer still pays the employee for those hours. It can be awarded in a lump sum in advance, or earned and accumulated over time, dependent on the terms of the employment agreement. PTO may be granted in addition to or in lieu of vacation days, sick days, etc, again depending on the unique employment agreement.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employee Rights

Employment Contract

New York

Asked on Nov 26, 2024

Can an employer change the terms of employee benefits without providing notice or obtaining consent?

I work for a small company that has recently made some changes to our employee benefits package without any prior notice or consultation with the employees. The changes include reducing the amount of paid time off, increasing the employee contribution for health insurance, and eliminating certain retirement benefits. I am concerned about the legality of these changes and whether the employer has the right to alter the terms of our benefits without providing any notice or obtaining our consent.

Damien B.

Answered Dec 2, 2024

If you have an employment contract, the employer must adhere to the terms of that agreement. Similarly, if the company has an employee handbook, changes to benefits must align with the policies outlined therein. Courts may consider an employee handbook as a binding contract if it creates an expectation of certain benefits. If your benefits are guaranteed in a written contract or employee handbook and the employer did not follow proper procedures to make changes, you may have a claim for breach of contract. Employers are generally encouraged to provide clear communication and advance notice of benefit changes to maintain trust and compliance with legal and policy obligations. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Estate Planning

Employment Contract

Florida

Asked on Apr 12, 2023

What's vacation time in an employment contract?

I recently accepted a new job and I was provided an employment contract to review. In the contract, there is a section about vacation time, but it is not very clear. I'm trying to understand what vacation time is included in the contract and what the expectations are for taking time off. I want to make sure I have a clear understanding of my rights and responsibilities regarding vacation time before I sign the contract.

Diane D.

Answered May 10, 2023

You can create your own will. However, having an attorney draft it for you will ensure that your wishes are carried out in all circumstances. Doing it yourself without having any experience may cause many problems after your demise.

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