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Confidently Sign on the Dotted Line

with First Rule Contract Training

The average construction contract dispute
costs over $100,000.

Contracts are the lifeblood of every construction company. These legalese-laden documents are often left to non-lawyers to negotiate technical legal jargon with real-world, high-stakes implications.

First Rule Contract Training breaks down the legalese and guides teams through the entire lifecycle of a contract, from contract triage through in-depth review, revision, and negotiation. In human terms, we help you protect yourself from company-killing mistakes and keep partner relationships strong.

Don’t wait for disaster to strike.

Join the hundreds of contract-savvy teams changing the way they WIN business.

“Make sure all your key staff members attend First Rule Courses, from estimating, to project managers to your people who manage contracts and compliance, and even Accounts Receivable. It breaks down the real-life lessons and learning of both the basics and the things that we can miss in a way that everyone needs to hear.”

Arti O’Brien President, Advanced Government Services
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Developed by “The Contract Coach,”
Eliot Wagonheim, ESQ.

Construction Attorney of 30+ years

First Rule is the only membership-based construction contract training platform built to empower growing teams to protect their organizations and keep the relationships that matter most.

https://vimeo.com/1006733962 https://vimeo.com/1006733962
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A First Rule Membership unlocks:

  • Courses in negotiation, contract review and revision, in-project communication, and boots-on-the-ground contract mastery
  • Opportunities for continuous learning and contract mastery
  • Memberships for teams of all sizes
  • Cohort-based learning
  • Community memberships
  • Live company workshops
  • Monthly coaching calls
  • Access to all future webinars

MEMBERSHIPS

Company training for non-lawyers writing, revising, and executing high-stakes contracts.

Classic

Gain instant access to any and all First Rule Signature Courses, including our best-in-class Contract Negotiation, Review and Revision, and Boots-on-the-Ground courses. With a Classic Membership, you can empower anyone on your team to learn what they want, whenever they want, at their own pace.

Plus

All of the advantages of Classic plus access to our extensive 250+ video library of individual contract terms, revision how-to’s, and negotiating tips, access to monthly contract coaching calls, and deep discounts on live training.

Premium

With all the benefits of a Plus Membership, the Premium Membership is the ultimate package for teams to elevate their contract skills and protect their company’s best interests. Full access to a library of courses, mini-courses, live courses, coaching sessions, and company-specific consulting.

First Rule is for anyone who feels like an imposter in the world of contracts.

Equip your people with the skills they need to take control of the room and get the outcomes you want.

  • EXECUTIVE TEAMS

    Beat the lawyers at their own game by negotiating contracts like a pro.

    You know your project inside and out, but can’t say the same about your contracts. Because you weren’t at the negotiation table, you’re unaware of the legal implications and potential risks hiding in fine print.

    • Ensure that contract terms align with on-site operations
    • Communicate outcomes and requests
    • Advocate for your crews’ best interests
  • SUPERINTENDENTS

    Set the stage for success by learning winning strategies for professional and strategic communication.

    You’re responsible for day-to-day operations and coordination with other crews, but when disputes or defect notices arise, you’re looking for a game plan that will protect your team and keep the project on track.

    • Communicate within the contract framework
    • Weigh in on negotiations of change orders
    • Resolve disputes and defects with minimal disruption
  • CONTRACT ADMINISTRATORS

    Spot critical issues, learn the nuances of legalese, and make the changes that matter to uplevel your contract review skills.

    You’re the boots on the ground responsible for implementing contract terms, but find yourself unsure of what those terms mean and how they impact your work.

    • Understand and comply with contract requirements
    • Navigate in-project issues with contract procedures
    • Secure approval for necessary amendments
  • BOOTS-ON-THE-GROUND PROFESSIONALS

    Use your contracts strategically to build with confidence, get paid on time, lower risk, and build institutional knowledge.

    You are often the first line of defense in the review process, staying vigilant to identify any potential risks or problematic terms. Still, navigating the complex language and legalities of contracts is challenging.

    • Review and suggest revisions to contract terms
    • Streamline communication between stakeholders
    • Reduce the risk of disputes and non-compliance
  • RISK MANAGERS

    Lower your company’s risk by learning to sidestep the traps and gaps others miss.

    Your job is to find problems before they happen and protect your company from legal and financial harm. When understanding the ins and outs of every single contract provision, you know you would be better equipped with a critical foundation in contract law and negotiation.

    • Rein in risk-laden terms like “indemnification” and “due diligence”
    • Understand the implications of EVERY contract provisions
    • Protect your company from risks others don’t see coming

Contract education far beyond on-the-job training

When your company’s future hinges on securing the right contracts, contract education is a must-have skill for your team. First Rule makes it possible for companies to equip team members with the training they need to negotiate, review, and revise any contract.

Grow Your Contract Team

Companies often have 1 or 2 people they trust to handle contracts. First Rule equips entire teams with the legal know-how to manage 7 or even 8-figure contracts like a pro.

Delegate Tasks

If you’re growing and scaling, the Executive Team may no longer have their eyes on every contract. This is nerve-wracking (and scary) for everyone involved. First Rule helps leaders delegate contract tasks with confidence.

Increase Bandwidth

As valuable as an in-house attorney is, there’s often not enough bandwidth to handle all contract-related tasks. Contract training increases the overall capacity of your team to manage contracts without overloading just one person…while knowing when to keep counsel in the loop.

Create Consistency

Implementing contract training creates a standardized approach to managing contracts across the entire company. This ensures that all team members are developing the same skill set and following a proven process.

Win in the Field

First Rule provides Project Managers, Superintendents, and all boots-on-the-ground professionals with powerful communication tools, step-by-step contract instruction, and tactical advice on the most pressing issues...when they need it most.

Fast-Track Responsiveness

You can’t afford to wait days or weeks before moving on a contract. First Rule’s on-demand training gives teams immediate insight into every aspect of a contract – equipping them to take action with confidence.

If you don’t think this was the best investment you ever made, we'll refund 100% of the costs. You’d be the first though!

“The way the class is structured has allowed me to take small chunks of information as I am able. The instruction is engaging and has made me appreciate the value of a good contract more than ever.”

Caleb Armbrust

Director of Membership
National Fire Sprinkler Association

“ABC members have benefitted immensely from First Rule Training. Eliot’s online learning platform and extensive industry knowledge allow companies to master contract review and negotiation skills in-house so that even those companies who do not have or cannot afford to keep a lawyer on retainer can avoid critical mistakes.”

Brittany Chaapel

Director of Programs
ABC Baltimore

“Great course for a contractor to better their understanding of the pitfalls of a contract. I really learned a lot of good material.”

Dave Brogan

Bristol Environmental

“Make sure all your key staff members, from estimating, to project managers to your people who manage contracts and compliance, and even your person who’s doing A/R attend this course because you break down the real life lessons and the learning of both the basics and the things that we can miss in way that everyone needs to hear.”

Arti O'Brien

President
Advanced Government Services

“This was the best class I have taken, hands down. I’ve had a lot of training and taken a lot of classes throughout my 20-year career in the industry and this one definitely exceeded my expectations. Lawyers can be expensive – this is like having a lawyer without paying for one. It is cost-effective and worth the investment to protect our business.”

Angelita Cusatis

Contracts Manager
CB Flooring, LLC

“Very insightful…just a great course.”

Taylor Samsil

Project Engineer
Williams Companies

How does a First Rule membership work?

A First Rule membership provides each subscriber unlimited access to all of our contract training courses plus a library of 200+ tutorial videos, mini-courses, live webinars, and other exclusive content for ongoing contract mastery. When a company subscribes, content is immediately available to as many or as few users as you choose to invite. Choose from a Classic, Plus, or Premium Membership level based on the specific needs and goals of your team. View membership offerings here.

Can I purchase a single course?

Although our Gold and Premium membership options provide the most comprehensive and cost-effective access to our contract training courses, we do offer the option to purchase individual courses. First Rule is available for single-seat registration or block licensing through our Classic membership.

Can I get a refund if I’m not satisfied with the training?

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our training courses because we truly believe in the value that they provide. This is a no-questions-asked policy if the request is made within 10 days of course completion (single-seat registration) or 30 days after receiving access (memberships). Although, it’s never been requested before!

Do you offer live workshops or customized training?

You bet! First Rule offers live workshops, virtual options, and customized training to address the unique challenges and goals of your team. Let’s build the training program of your dreams together. Connect with us here on the site to get started.

Can I have a trial license to preview the courses for my company?

Yes, we are happy to provide a trial license for management to preview the courses and determine if they meet the needs of your company. We’re confident that you will find our courses valuable in enhancing your team’s contract abilities and improving overall project success. But don’t take our word for it, see for yourself!