Contract disputes
Someone broke the agreement. We work to hold them to it.
Business & real estate
Contract Drafting and Negotiation
A weak contract is a dispute waiting to happen.
What’s at stake
Most business disputes don’t start in a courtroom. They start in a contract, a clause someone skimmed, a term that seemed standard, an assumption that turned out to be wrong. By the time the relationship breaks down, the document you signed at the beginning is either your best protection or your biggest liability.
We draft and negotiate contracts for owners, founders, and operators in Rhode Island and Massachusetts who want agreements that actually say what they mean and anticipate how they could be tested. From the first vendor agreement for a company that just incorporated to the acquisition documents for one that’s been running for twenty years, we handle the full range, no matter where you are in the life of your business.
Situations we handle
Vendor and Service Agreements
The contracts that affect your day-to-day operations with suppliers, subcontractors, service providers, and clients. We draft contracts that are clear on deliverables, payment, termination, and liability before a dispute makes those things harder to sort out.
Independent Contractor Agreements
We draft IC agreements that reflect the actual working relationship and account for the classification standards applied by the IRS, the DOL, the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, and the courts.
NDAs and Confidentiality Agreements
We draft NDAs that protect what you’re trying to protect, and review the ones you’re being asked to sign.
Partnership and Operating Agreements
What happens when a partner wants out? When someone stops pulling their weight? When you disagree on a major decision? These questions are easier to answer in an operating agreement than in a courtroom. We draft both LLC operating agreements and partnership agreements for new business ventures.
Buy-Sell Agreements
A buy-sell agreement governs what happens to ownership when a partner dies, becomes disabled, or wants to leave. It’s the document most small businesses don’t have until they need it. We draft them before that moment arrives.
Commercial Leases
A commercial lease is a long-term commitment with significant financial exposure on both sides. We review and negotiate lease terms for commercial tenants and landlords, rent escalations, build-out obligations, assignment rights, and exit provisions.
Asset and Business Purchase Agreements
Whether you’re buying a business, selling one, or acquiring specific assets, the purchase agreement is where the deal either holds together or falls apart. We draft and negotiate these alongside our M&A work, or as a standalone engagement.
Our approach
Most problems in contracts start with assumptions that were never written down. Before we write a word, we talk through the deal. What you want, what you’re promising, and your risks are all taken into account.
We write agreements that protect your interests, anticipate what could go wrong, and leave as little room for interpretation as possible. Clear definitions remove ambiguity and help you control the framework of the agreement.
Contracts favor whoever drafted them. We read the other party’s agreement closely and flag clauses that could expose you to unnecessary risk.
Not every clause is worth fighting over, but we’ll certainly tell you which ones are, step in to negotiate, and help you decide where a deal point is worth friction.
Good contracts account for how the relationship ends. We help define termination rights, dispute resolutions, and what happens if a party doesn’t perform.
What happens next
From the first call to the work itself.
We answer
When you contact us, you are not entering a queue.
What we do. Call 401-621-9700 or request a consultation online. We take your details and check for conflicts of interest before we discuss your matter.
What to prepare. Your contact details, and the names of anyone else involved, such as the other driver, business, or insurer.
We listen
We will give you honest answers about where you stand and what your options are.
What we do. An attorney reviews what happened, the documents you have, and any deadlines that may apply, then talks you through your options.
What to prepare. Drafts, entity documents, and the deal terms you have so far.
We fight
We prepare every case as though it’s going to trial.
What we do. If you decide to hire the firm, we confirm the engagement and get to work, and you know who is handling your matter.
What to prepare. Keep any new notices, letters, or court papers and send them to us as they arrive.
Every matter is different, so the steps and how long each one takes vary.
Client reviews from Google
Our go to! We have utilized DiLibero & Assoc for a few years now and highly recommend. They are easy to reach, operate in a timely manner, and in each instance- they guided us and handled our situations surpassing our expectations. So grateful to always know exactly where to turn! And to actually get resolution. On top of that being treated with dignity and respect- definitely minimizes the stress when going through difficult predicaments.
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Aimee ZwolinskiTrustworthy, professional, and knowledgeable. DiLibero & Associates took the time to explain everything clearly and always made me feel informed throughout the process. Their honesty, responsiveness, and attention to detail gave me confidence every step of the way. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for legal representation they can trust.
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Tony LevadaOne of the best experiences i’ve ever had legally was with this firm! Lisa and Dylan are extremely professional and determined to get you a desirable outcome! They kept me well informed throughout the entire process and were nothing but professional, understanding, and helpful. I will always recommend this firm due to its staff’s dedication to getting you results that matter!
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Elaina MI had a great experience working with Dylan. He helped guide me through a situation I was dealing with involving a car dealership, and from the start he was professional, knowledgeable, and very easy to work with. Dylan took the time to explain everything clearly and made sure I understood my options every step of the way. Even though the situation didn’t require anything overly complicated, it was clear that Dylan really knows his stuff and genuinely cares about helping his clients. He was responsive, straightforward, and made the entire process much less stressful. I would absolutely recommend Dylan to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy attorney. Thanks again for your help!
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Stephensilva SilvaI couldn’t be more impressed with Delibero and Associates. From my very first consultation, they were attentive, professional, and genuinely cared about my case. Dylan took the time to explain every step of the process and kept me informed the entire way. Their expertise and attention to detail gave me complete confidence that I was in excellent hands. What stood out most was their compassion, they treated me like a person, not just a client. The entire team worked efficiently, communicated clearly, and delivered results that exceeded my expectations. If you’re looking for a law office that combines deep legal knowledge with true dedication to their clients, I highly recommend Delibero and Associates. They turned a stressful situation into a positive outcome.
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Michael MarzilliReviews describe individual clients’ experiences. Every matter is different.
Read all reviews on Google (opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
Templates are a starting point, not a finish line. A generic template doesn’t know your industry, your state’s law, or what’s actually at risk in your deal. We’ve seen plenty of disputes where the contract was technically a contract, but failed to say anything useful when it was tested. A well-drafted agreement usually costs far less than litigating a bad one.
Every contract favors the party that drafted it. Before you sign anything with meaningful financial or legal consequences (a lease, a service agreement, a vendor contract), it’s worth having it reviewed by counsel.
Rhode Island and Massachusetts both apply strict worker-classification tests. Massachusetts uses the three-part “ABC” test (M.G.L. c. 149 § 148B), and Rhode Island applies its own multi-factor standards. Misclassification can trigger back taxes, penalties, and wage claims.
Oral agreements can be enforceable in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, but proving what was agreed to and on what terms is a different problem. If the relationship is ongoing or the stakes are significant, putting it in writing up front is always worth doing.
It depends on the complexity and what you need. A review of a short vendor agreement is a different engagement than drafting a full operating agreement. The first conversation is free, and we’ll give you a clear sense of fees before we get to work.
