An associateship--"the beginning"

Associateships can be successful and profitable. However, prudent business principles must be followed by both parties. The relationship of two professionals is essentially different from other employee/employer situations, particularly so if the agenda of the principle practitioner is more complex. No matter what the level of complexity of the associate agreement, the will to agree based on full and complete disclosure is much more important than the adherence to some letter of the law. Most provisions of associate agreements are difficult, if not impossible, to enforce. Both sides are then at risk. The clearest form of protection is a complete and unreserved sharing of the requirements, expectations and intent of the relationship.