I agree, but if I am going to sign a contract it isn't going to the one-sided contracts they send.  I want some protections, as well... maybe a personal guarantee for the payment of my invoices, a venue clause so I can take care of any litigation in my local court system, and a clause limiting my liability to my own negligence (for which I have E&O coverage), etc.

I'm sure they wouldn't sign it, but if we are going to have a written contract, I should get something out of it, too.  If not, then it is just a client I don't need.  Most of the time, those are the clients that will be the most problematic anyway.

Best,
Robert A. Franco
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