How to read a contract like a lawyer

The actual skill they don't teach in law school — how to read fast and catch what matters.

The first contract I reviewed took me four hours. I found nothing. My supervising partner found three issues in ten minutes.

Start with the end

Before you read clause one, read the definitions and the schedules. Every contract tells you what it cares about in those two places.

Contracts aren't meant to be read front-to-back. They're meant to be navigated — the way you'd use a map, not a novel.

Write to the person who just wants to make it to Friday.