Physician’s Lawyer. Knowledge is Power

Michigan Legal Expertise for Physicians.
We advise physicians on employment contracts.

⭐
Ask Your Colleagues. Give us a call now and decide later whether you’d like to hire or not. We do not—and never will—work with any contract review farms. Every phone call, email, and review is directly between you and Michael.

🔍
Your Contract Matters. Signing an employment contract is one of the pivotal moments in a physician’s professional journey. You’ve earned your spot—now it’s time to safeguard your interests. Whether you’re new to this or experienced, the landscape is always evolving.

The Business Perspective: Healthcare is about care and well-being, but from your employer’s perspective, it’s a business. Your role as a physician directly impacts their revenue. In a volatile reimbursement environment—characterized by healthcare reform, tax changes, and the shift from volume to value-based payments—employers seek to protect their financial interests. Legal teams will naturally draft contracts to favor the employer.

Your Perspective: You’ve worked hard, and your contract should reflect that. It’s not just about pay, but also about job satisfaction, work-life balance, professional growth, and your long-term future. That’s why it is essential to have a specialist, such as a transactional attorney, review your contract.

Simple Steps to Legal Peace of Mind

Step 1 – Call Us

Reach out directly by phone or email—no intermediaries. Michael will probably personally answer.

Step 2 – Talk to Us

Discuss your employment offer and any questions in a comfortable, confidential conversation. No pressure, this is a service that is reasonably available to all physicians.

Step 3 – Hire Us

If you choose to proceed with a contract review, simply confirm by email and formalize the attorney-client relationship.

Step 4 – We Negotiate

Michael reviews and explains your contract, then advises or negotiates on your behalf as you prefer. The focus is always on your goals and interests.

Michael Zamzow is a lawyer who represents physicians.

🏥
The Hospital Won’t Hand You Transparency. Michael does not represent any hospital. Although physician contract review is not all Michael does (he is a commercial litigator), he has represented hundreds of physicians in their contract negotiations. Each month, Michael sets aside time for physician contract review and to answer questions from physicians (including contracts, lawsuits, real property, estate planning, and general legal guidance).

It starts with a phone call. As a physician, from your very first call to Zamzow Fabian, you’ll likely speak directly with Michael. He’ll ask you about your practice area and about your letter of intent (LOI), then explain the review process and, if relevant, provide insight on how your compensation compares to others in your area.

Hiring is your choice. After your initial conversation, you decide whether to move forward. If you do, simply email michael@zamzowfabian.com with your LOI and/or contract. The fee for contract review is always flat-rate.

“I’ve talked to hundreds of physicians—they are my friends and family. This is not a level of service I offer to any other health care professional or group. It doesn’t hurt to call.”

Letters of Intent.

Is it non-binding? Does it matter?
An attorney can review your letter of intent (LOI) to determine which, if any, aspects are legally binding, and provide legal advice on how your LOI may affect future negotiations when your final contract is drafted. Some LOIs may contain both binding and non-binding clauses. If you sign an LOI, will certain provisions be enforceable? Most importantly, how will signing it affect future negotiations?

Contracting.

Answer the “what if.” We provide peace of mind that your contract is fair and reasonable. We review your contract so that you are aware of potential pitfalls, suggest alternative language, and offer advice to help you avoid common problems. Zamzow Fabian PLLC offers guidance on the “what if” scenarios that matter most to you. Get answers about the true duration of the contract and your freedom to change employers or locations. Learn what the MGMA or AMGA survey salary data says for your specialty, how your contract defines productivity incentives, and receive a thorough review of restrictive covenants and non-compete clauses. We also review termination-without-cause provisions to ensure the non-compete does not apply and that you do not owe bonuses or loan repayments. We frequently address questions like: What if I want to leave the practice? What if I am terminated without cause? Do I have to repay the signing bonus or student loan forgiveness?

Negotiating.

Fair terms. Building a good relationship with your future employer often requires reasonable compromise. An attorney can provide advice on negotiation strategy, or negotiate directly on your behalf. Every employment contract is drafted to protect the employer’s interests. Zamzow Fabian PLLC ensures you are aware of the clauses most likely to cause problems and helps modify language to protect you. We identify potential issues and suggest solutions, so you can negotiate from a position of strength.

General Terms.

Performance Standards. Does your contract state a two-year term, but allow your employer to terminate without cause after 90 days’ notice? If so, your real term is only 90 days into the future, not two years. Which activities outside of work are prohibited? Are you permitted to moonlight? Restrictive covenants (duration/time and geography) should be carefully reviewed.

Agreement Not to Compete. A non-competition clause may prohibit you from practicing in the same region, for a certain period, and in a broad specialty. No matter who you are, eventually you will change employers. Signing such an agreement today can dramatically affect your ability to work in the future. If you sign with a small hospital and your non-compete prohibits work within a 25-mile radius, what happens if they merge or open another location? Review and negotiate these terms with care.

Home

›

Physician Contract Review