At any time that you may be feeling pressed to move forward with processing the stack of documents on your desk, always keep in the back of your mind two basic internal control recommendations:
- Never sign something you don’t understand
- Avoid being overconfident in what you understand
It’s best to take the necessary time to review and seek legal consultation because the consequences for not doing so may include inadvertently compromising the district’s most effective recourse for various kinds of unsatisfactory performance involving a contractor or vendor. In most instances, it is unlikely that a vendor will refuse to agree with your district’s attorney’s recommendations to modify proposed terms and conditions. Accordingly, be sure your process checklists include a check box for “legal review” and, when in doubt, take the time to consult with your attorney regarding what checklists should include this check box.