Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Consulting Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Exclusive Advertising and Consulting Agreement

This advertising and consultant agreement (this Agreement) is made and entered this day of , 20 , by and between ,

(Name of Company)

a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of ,

(Name of State)

with its principal office located at , referred to herein as the Company, and , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as the Agency.

(Name of Advertising Agent) / (Name of State) / (Street Address, City, County, State, Zip Code)

Whereas, Agency is in the business of providing advertising agency services for a fee; and

Whereas, Company desires to engage Agency to render, and Agency desires to render to Company, certain advertising agency and consulting services, as set forth in this Agreement;

Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

1. Engagement of Agency. Company hereby engages Agency to render, and Agency hereby agrees to render to Company, certain services in connection with Company's planning, preparing and placing of advertising for certain products and services of Company, said services of Agency to consist of the following:

A. Analyzing the current and proposed products and services of Company and present and potential markets for Company;

B. Create, prepare and submit to Company, for its prior approval, advertising ideas and programs;

C. Prepare and submit to Company, for its prior approval, estimates of costs and expenses associated with proposed advertising ideas and programs;

D. Design and prepare, or arrange for the design and preparation of, advertisements;

E. Perform such other services as Company may request from time to time, such as, but not limited to, direct mail advertising preparation, speech writing, publicity and public relations work, and market research and analysis;

F. Order advertising space, time, or other means to be used for publication of the advertisements of Company, at all times endeavoring to secure the most efficient and advantageous rates available.

G. Proof of accuracy and completeness of insertions, displays, broadcasts, or other forms of advertisements; and

H. Audit invoices for space, time, material preparation, and charges.

2. Products and Services. Agency's engagement shall relate to the following products and services of Company:

3. Exclusivity. Agency shall be the exclusive advertising agency in the United States for Company with respect to the products and services described in Section 2 above.

4. Compensation.

A. Agency shall receive an amount equal to percent of the gross charges levied by media for advertising placed therewith by Agency pursuant to this Agreement; and percent after volume discount, of the charges of suppliers of services or properties, such as finished art, comprehensive layouts, type composition, photostats, engravings, printing, radio and television programs, talent, literary, dramatic and musical works, records and exhibits, purchased by Agency on the authorization of the Company during the term of this Agreement; provided that:

1. No percentage will be added to Agency charges for packing, shipping, express, postage, telephone, telex, fax, travel expenses and other out of pocket expenses of Agency personnel; and

2. Agency's commission for outdoor advertising will be the standard rate allowed advertising agencies when such rate is less than .

B. For those items where Agency is not compensated on a commission basis, Company shall pay Agency on an hourly basis for services provided hereunder. The rate will be determined by the type of services provided and the person or persons providing such services, but in no event shall the rate exceed $ per hour. Company may elect in advance to be charged on this hourly rate basis. If Company fails to notify Agency of its choice, it shall be presumed that Company elected to be charged on an hourly rate basis.

C. In the event that Agency undertakes, at Company's request subject to Company's prior approval, special projects such as those described in Section 1 (F) above, Agency shall prepare an estimate of total charges for any such special project, including any charges for materials or services purchased from outside sources. In the event that Company elects to proceed with the special project based upon Agency's estimated cost, Agency shall perform the services with respect to such special project at its estimated cost, subject to modification as mutually agreed by the parties.

D. For any special project or other services provided by Agency pursuant to this Agreement upon which the parties have not agreed as to charges, Company shall pay Agency at its regular hourly rate, not to exceed $ per hour.

E. Company shall not be obligated to reimburse Agency for any travel or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of services pursuant to this Agreement unless expressly agreed by Company in advance.

5. Billing.

A. Agency shall invoice Company for all media costs, where possible, in advance of Agency's payment date to allow for prepayment by the Company so that Company may receive the benefit of any available prepayment or similar discount. For any media purchase or service for which Agency is not entitled to a commission, Agency shall ensure that the charges to Company are net of all agency commissions and discounts.

B. Charges for production materials and services shall be billed by Agency upon completion of the production job or, if cash discounts are available, upon receipt of the supplier's invoice.

C. On all outside purchases other than for media, Agency shall attach to the invoice proof of the supplier's charges.

D. All cash discounts on Agency's purchases including, but not limited to, media, art, printing and mechanical work, shall be available to Company, provided that Company meets Agency's requisite billing terms and there is no outstanding indebtedness of Company to Agency at the time of the payment to the supplier.

E. Rate or billing adjustments shall be credited or charged to Company on the next following regular invoice date or as soon as otherwise practical.

F. Invoices shall be submitted in an itemized format and shall be paid by Company within thirty (30) days of the invoice date.

6. Competitors. During the term of this Agreement, Agency may not accept employment from, render services to, represent or otherwise be affiliated with any person, firm, corporation or entity in connection with any product or service directly or indirectly competitive with or similar to any product or service of Company with respect to which the Agency is providing any service pursuant to this Agreement.

7. Cost Estimates. Agency shall not commence work on any project pursuant to this Agreement without first estimating costs for preparation, including copy, service, layout, art, engraving, typography, processing, paste up and production. After determining the estimated cost, completion of the work shall be subject to prior approval of Company.

8. Audit Rights. Agency agrees that following reasonable prior notice any and all contracts, agreements, correspondence, books, accounts and other information relating to the business of Company or this Agreement shall be available for inspection by Company and Company's outside accountants, at Company's expense.

9. Ownership and Use.

A. Agency shall insure, to the fullest extent possible under law, that Company shall own any and all right, title and interest in and to, including copyrights, trade secret, patent and other intellectual property rights, with respect to any copy, photograph, advertisement, music, lyrics, or other work or thing created by Agency or at Agency's direction for Company pursuant to this Agreement and utilized by Company.

B. Upon termination, Company agrees that any advertising, merchandising, package, plan or idea prepared by Agency and submitted to Company (whether submitted separately or in conjunction with or as a part of other material) which Company has elected not to utilize, shall remain the property of Agency, unless Company has paid Agency for its services in preparing such item. Company agrees to return to Agency any copy, artwork, plates or other physical embodiment of such creative work relating to any such idea or plan which may be in Company's possession at termination or expiration of this Agreement.

C. Materials and advertisements created by Agency pursuant to this Agreement may be used by Company outside the United States without additional compensation, provided that Company shall be responsible for any additional expense associated with such use, such as charges for translation and amounts due talent.

10. Indemnification and Insurance.

A. Agency shall indemnify and hold Company harmless with respect to any claims, loss, suit, liability or judgment suffered by Company, including reasonable attorney's fees and costs, based upon or related to any item prepared by Agency or at Agency's direction, including, but not limited to, any claim of libel, slander, piracy, plagiarism, invasion of privacy, or infringement of copyright or other intellectual property interest, except where any such claim arises out of material supplied by Company and incorporated into any materials or advertisement prepared by Agency. Agency agrees to procure and maintain in force during the term of this Agreement, at Agency's expense, an advertising agency liability policy or policies having a minimum limit of at least $, naming Company as an additional insured and loss payee under such policy or policies.

B. Company agrees to indemnify and hold Agency harmless with respect to any claims, loss, liability, damage or judgment suffered by Agency, including reasonable attorney's fees and court costs, which results from the use by Agency of any material furnished by Company or where material created by Agency or at the direction of Agency subject to the indemnification in Subsection A above is materially changed by Company. Information or data obtained by Agency from Company to substantiate claims made in advertising shall be deemed to be "material furnished by Company to Agency".

C. In the event of any proceeding, litigation or suit against Company by any regulatory agency or in the event of any court action or other proceeding challenging any advertising prepared by Agency, Agency shall assist in the preparation of the defense of such action or proceeding and cooperate with Company and Company's attorneys.

11. Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on and shall continue in full force and effect until terminated by either party upon at least ninety (90) days prior written notice, provided that in no event (except breach) may this Agreement be terminated prior to . The rights, duties and obligations of the parties shall continue in full force during or following the period of the termination notice until termination, including the ordering and billing of advertising in media whose closing dates follow then such period.

12. Rights upon Termination.

A. Upon termination of the Agreement, Agency shall transfer, assign and make available to Company all property and materials in Agency's possession or subject to Agency's control that are the property of Company, subject to payment in full of amounts due pursuant to this Agreement

B. Upon termination, Agency agrees to provide reasonable cooperation in arranging for the transfer or approval of third party's interest in all contracts, agreements and other arrangements with advertising media, suppliers, talent and others not then utilized, and all rights and claims thereto and therein, following appropriate release from the obligations therein.

13. Default. In the event of any default of any material obligation by or owed by a party pursuant to this Agreement, then the other party may provide written notice of such default and if such default is not cured within ten (10) days of the written notice, then the non-defaulting party may terminate this Agreement.

14. Severability. The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.

15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

(Name of State)

16. Attorney’s Fees. In the event that any lawsuit is filed in relation to this Agreement, the unsuccessful party in the action shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all the sums that either party may be called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful party's attorney fees.

17. Mandatory Arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and anything herein to the contrary, any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

19. Compliance with Laws. In performing under this Agreement, all applicable governmental laws, regulations, orders, and other rules of duly-constituted authority will be followed and complied with in all respects by both parties.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

(Name of Agency)

By:

(Printed Name & Office in Corporation)

(Signature of Officer)

(Name of Company)

By:

(Printed Name & Office in Corporation)

(Signature of Officer)

Enter text✕

What a Consulting Agreement Covers

A Consulting Agreement is a written contract that sets out the scope, timing, payment, and legal terms governing advisory or professional services between a consultant and a client. It defines deliverables, performance standards, compensation and expense rules, confidentiality, intellectual property ownership, and termination rights. Consulting Agreements help reduce misunderstandings by documenting responsibilities, timelines, and dispute-resolution methods, and they often include signature and execution blocks for authorized signers. Properly executed agreements protect both parties and form the baseline for project management and compliance.

Why use a formal Consulting Agreement

A formal Consulting Agreement clarifies expectations, limits liability, and establishes payment and IP rules so both parties can measure performance and enforce remedies. It supports financial reporting, auditability, and compliance with state and federal rules when executed and retained properly.

Why use a formal Consulting Agreement

Who typically signs and manages these agreements

Consulting Agreements are used by independent consultants, professional firms, corporate procurement teams, and legal departments to document services and payment terms.

  • Independent Consultants — Freelancers who deliver time‑and‑materials or fixed‑price services and need clear payment, IP, and scope terms.
  • Small Business Owners — Entrepreneurs who hire outside expertise for short‑term projects or retainers with defined deliverables.
  • Corporate Procurement — Procurement and vendor managers who require insurance, indemnity, and SLA language for vendor engagement.

The authorized signer is usually a party with contracting authority: an owner, officer, or delegated purchasing agent depending on each organization’s internal approval limits.

Common signatory roles

Lead Consultant

The consultant or principal who accepts engagement terms, confirms deliverables, and has authority to bind the consulting firm. This person must provide a full legal name and title and confirm any subcontracting rights or IP assignments in writing.

Company Counsel

An in‑house or outside attorney who reviews contract terms for compliance, risk allocation, and regulatory obligations. Counsel typically negotiates indemnity, confidentiality, and governing‑law clauses and documents approval in the contract record.

Core clauses to include in a Consulting Agreement

A robust agreement groups commercial and legal terms into discrete clauses so obligations, timelines, and remedies are unambiguous for both parties.

Scope of Services

Clearly describe tasks, milestones, deliverables, and acceptance criteria. Attach SOWs or exhibits for project specifics to avoid scope creep and disputes over deliverable expectations.

Compensation

Specify fees, billing cadence, invoicing details, reimbursable expenses, late payment terms, and any retainers or milestone payments to ensure predictable cash flow and auditability.

Term and Termination

Define the engagement term, renewal options, and termination rights with notice periods and obligations that survive termination, such as confidentiality and IP license grants.

Confidentiality

Include non‑disclosure obligations, permitted disclosures, return or destruction of materials, and carveouts for required disclosures such as court orders or legal compliance.

Intellectual Property

State who owns preexisting IP, deliverable ownership, and whether the consultant assigns work product or grants a license to the client; address open source components and moral rights.

Liability and Indemnity

Limit liability where appropriate, set indemnification scope for third‑party claims, and include insurance requirements such as professional liability coverage and limits.

Step-by-step: completing and executing the agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and finalize a Consulting Agreement efficiently and accurately.

  • 01
    Draft Agreement: Populate core clauses and attach scope exhibits.
  • 02
    Internal Review: Have legal and finance review payment, indemnity, and tax implications.
  • 03
    Signatures: Collect authorized signatures and dates from both parties.
  • 04
    Distribution: Provide executed copies to all stakeholders and store securely.

Typical digital signing workflow for consulting agreements

Digital execution shortens turnaround time and preserves an audit log; follow these logical steps when eSigning.

  • Upload Document: Upload the finalized PDF or DOCX to the signing platform.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, date, and initial fields for each signer.
  • Authenticate Signers: Choose authentication method: email link, SMS code, or stronger options if required.
  • Complete & Archive: System captures timestamps, IP, and audit trail; distribute signed copies automatically.

How to configure a digital signing workflow

Configure these settings to align automation with approval authority and compliance needs.

Field Configuration
Signature Order Set sequential or parallel signing per approval hierarchy.
Authentication Select email, SMS, or KBA for signer verification.
Reminders Enable automated reminders and expiry dates for unsigned documents.
Retention Policy Set automatic archiving and export options for signed records.

Technical considerations for eSigning and storage

Confirm platform compatibility, authentication options, and export formats before sending for signature.

  • File Formats: Accept common types: PDF, DOCX, and fillable forms.
  • Integrations: Connect to CRM, document storage, and accounting systems.
  • Security Controls: Enable encryption, audit trails, and access logs.

Choose a platform that supports required compliance features (audit trail, encryption, optional BAA) and integrates with your document management and procurement systems.

Comparing eSignature vendors for Consulting Agreements

Basic pricing and feature availability vary by vendor and plan; signNow is listed first in this comparison for consistency across pages.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7‑day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/yr Varies Varies Varies

Security and compliance controls to check

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3; AES‑256 at rest
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II; ISO 27001
HIPAA BAA: Available where PHI handling occurs
Audit Trail: Detailed timestamps and actions
Access Control: Role‑based permissions and SSO
Data Privacy: GDPR and CCPA compliance

Common legal and business risks

Invalid Signature: Execution issues
Tax Exposure: Incorrect payee data
IP Disputes: Unclear ownership
Late Payment: Cashflow impact
Breach Costs: Confidentiality breaches
Regulatory Fines: Noncompliance penalties

Frequent preparation mistakes to avoid

  • Leaving the scope vague or open‑ended, which creates disputes and scope creep that delay delivery and increase costs.
  • Failing to document the payment schedule and invoicing requirements clearly, causing disputes over amounts and billing timing.
  • Using inconsistent party names or abbreviations that do not match tax or registration records and complicate enforcement and payments.
  • Neglecting to specify governing law and dispute resolution, which can lead to costly jurisdictional litigation if disagreements arise.

Practical tips for accurate completion

Adopt standardized templates and review checklists to reduce errors and speed approval cycles.

Use a Standard Template
Maintain a vetted template with approved clauses to shorten negotiation time and ensure consistent risk allocation across engagements.
Attach an SOW
Attach a detailed statement of work listing milestones, acceptance criteria, and deliverable formats to prevent scope disputes.
Limit Negotiation Scope
Reserve changes to commercial terms rather than rewriting fundamental legal protections; route material changes to counsel.
Record Execution
Capture signed PDFs with audit trails, date stamps, and signer identity evidence for enforceability and retention.

Key dates and deadlines to include

Explicit dates and notice periods reduce ambiguity and provide triggers for obligations and termination rights.

Effective Date:

The date the agreement becomes operative (MM/DD/YYYY).

Payment Due Dates:

Specify invoicing cycle and net payment days to trigger payment obligations.

Deliverable Deadlines:

List milestone delivery dates and review windows for acceptance testing.

Termination Notice:

State required notice period for termination without cause, commonly 30 days.

Tax Reporting:

Provide any payment recipient info needed for year‑end tax forms (W‑9) upon request.

Typical lifecycle milestones for a consulting engagement

Track milestones from proposal to closeout so responsibilities and payment triggers are clear throughout the engagement.

01

Proposal Stage

Agree scope and preliminary pricing with client; prepare formal SOW.

02

Execution Stage

Sign the Consulting Agreement and collect any upfront retainer.

03

Project Delivery

Deliver milestones, collect acceptance, and invoice per schedule.

04

Closeout & Archive

Confirm final deliverables, resolve open items, and retain records.

Real examples of consulting agreements in use

These customer examples show how organizations use digital execution to manage consulting work more efficiently.

Martin Properties — Tim Martin

A small real estate firm moved leases and consulting SOWs online to reduce in‑person signings and speed approvals.

  • Streamlined approvals cut turnaround time for engagements.
  • The firm now executes agreements remotely with compliance and obtains complete audit trails for property management and vendor services, reducing administrative delays and improving recordkeeping for audit purposes.

Fertility Centers of Illinois — John Butler

A healthcare provider digitized vendor consulting contracts and retained signed records with secure access controls.

  • Ensured privacy and compliance with HIPAA requirements.
  • The organization relied on platform security and BAAs for PHI handling, improving contract visibility and maintaining a defensible audit trail for regulatory and operational reviews.

Frequently asked questions about Consulting Agreements

Answers to common legal, execution, and retention questions encountered when preparing and signing Consulting Agreements.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users