Office Hours with Roasa Law

Veterinary students submitted a dozen unfiltered questions about contracts, career paths, and negotiation, and we answered every one of them on the record.Lance, Steve, and Madison cover how negotiation shifts when you're an ECC or internal medicine specialist (including the equipment clauses oncologists and ophthalmologists must have in writing), why Lance pushes back hard on "mentorship programs" that pay less for the same work, and the supply-and-demand realities behind why equine and zoo vets consistently earn less than their small animal counterparts.They also get candid about recruiters; what they can answer, what they absolutely can't, and why "trust but verify" is the right posture, and Lance shares a sobering look at internship culture, including why he's counseled multiple clients through internship-related PTSD and the exact research process every internship-bound student should use before signing.Whether you're a fourth-year weighing the match, a new grad comparing offers, or a specialist negotiating your next contract, this one's packed with the real answers.

Most veterinarians assume job offers are standardized. They aren’t.In this episode, the Roasa Law Group team breaks down what they see every day reviewing hundreds of veterinary employment contracts—and why two veterinarians applying to the same practice can receive completely different deals.We discuss:• Why compensation packages vary wildly between veterinarians • How corporations quietly change contract terms when pushed • The hidden impact of negative accrual • The real reason employers discourage salary transparency • How market data can completely change a negotiationOne of the biggest mistakes veterinarians make is assuming that what they’re offered is “standard.”In reality, most associates simply don’t have the market data needed to know what’s fair.Our job is to level the playing field.If you're a veterinary student, new graduate, or practicing veterinarian negotiating a contract, this episode will change how you approach employment agreements.

Joint ventures have become increasingly common in veterinary medicine, often presented as an opportunity for ownership, partnership, and long-term upside.After reviewing more than 20 joint venture agreements in the past year, we’ve identified consistent structural patterns that veterinarians should understand before signing.In this episode, we discuss:The typical structure of veterinary joint venturesKey provisions and how they impact ownership and controlThe role of management agreements and financial obligationsCommon risks, including limitations on exit and long-term restrictionsWhile these arrangements can offer benefits in certain circumstances, they also involve complex legal and financial considerations that are not always immediately apparent.This episode provides a practical framework for evaluating joint venture opportunities and understanding what to look for in the underlying agreements.

The veterinary job market is often described as “softening," but does that actually reflect what veterinarians are seeing in their contracts?In this episode of Office Hours with Roasa Law, Dr. Lance Roasa is joined by Steve Kellner and associate attorney Madison Hess to reflect on the biggest employment and contract trends they observed in 2025 after reviewing nearly 1,000 veterinary employment agreements across the country.They unpack why the perception of a cooling job market doesn’t always align with reality, how negotiation has evolved rather than disappeared, and where veterinarians still have meaningful leverage, if they know where to look. The conversation also explores the growing role of Letters of Intent (LOIs), why persistence often matters more than initial responses, and which contract provisions quietly cost veterinarians the most when overlooked.Whether you’re a vet student preparing for your first offer, an associate considering a change, or simply looking to understand how your contract compares in today’s market, this episode offers a grounded, experience-driven look at where veterinary employment is heading and how to approach 2026 with clarity and confidence.Listen before you sign, because what’s in the fine print can shape your career for years to come.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping every industry, and veterinary medicine is no exception. In this episode, Dr. Lance Roasa breaks down the fundamentals of AI, how machine learning systems “think,” and what makes this technology radically different from traditional software.Fresh off delivering an AI lecture at the Veterinary Innovation Summit, Lance shares where AI is already being used in practices, what’s coming next, and why this moment feels a lot like the early days of the internet in the 1990s.We also explore the legal and regulatory questions surrounding new AI startups and how veterinary professionals can responsibly adopt these tools.

Veterinary practice ownership often feels like a distant dream for students...but should it? In this episode, Dr. Lance Roasa sits down with CSU first-year veterinary student and Vet Inspo Talks Vodcast host Orli Algranatti to talk openly about the realities, timing, and pathways into buying or starting a clinic. Whether you’re a pre-vet, vet student, or practicing DVM considering ownership someday, this conversation offers clarity, myth-busting, and practical encouragement from someone who helps veterinarians buy practices every day.

Not all compensation shows up in your paycheck. In this episode, Lance and Steve unpack the often-overlooked world of benefits. From health insurance and CE allowances to retirement contributions. Learn what counts as non-taxable compensation, how corporate groups changed the standard for benefit packages, and what every veterinarian should look for before signing. Tune in to understand how the right benefits can make (or break) your next offer.

In this episode of Office Hours with Roasa Law, Lance and Steve break down one of the most misunderstood sections in veterinary contracts, the Term & Termination clause. They explain how employment duration really works, what “at-will” means in practice, and why automatic renewals can quietly shift leverage away from associates. Whether you’re signing your first contract or renegotiating your fifth, this episode will help you understand how and when your contract can actually end, and how to protect yourself before it does.

Deciding to sell your veterinary practice is one of the biggest financial and professional moves you’ll ever make. In this episode, Dr. Lance Roasa and Steve Kellner dive into what every veterinarian should know before starting the process of a sale.They discuss:Why selling a practice is often the pinnacle financial decision in a veterinarian’s career.The crucial first steps to take when you decide to sell.Common pitfalls when dealing with corporate buyers and private equity groups.Why a specialized veterinary lawyer is essential—and how they differ from general practice attorneys.Real-world insights from Lance’s experience both as a practice owner and as a veterinary attorney guiding clients through transactions.Whether you’re planning for retirement, considering selling to a corporate group, or just want to understand your options, this conversation lays out the foundation to help you protect your legacy and maximize your practice’s value.

Non-compete agreements aren’t just fine print, they can shape your entire career. In this episode, Dr. Lance Roasa and Steve Kellner dive into the realities of non-competes in veterinary medicine, sharing real-world stories of veterinarians who faced tough choices after signing them. From long commutes and forced relocations to negotiating carve-outs and even facing lawsuits, we explore what options exist when these restrictive covenants come into play.You’ll learn:Why veterinarians are uniquely impacted by non-competes compared to other professions.The costly consequences of waiting until after a dispute to negotiate.Practical steps you should take before signing an employment agreement.The latest updates on FTC and state-level developments around non-competes.Whether you’re a new graduate reviewing your first contract or an experienced veterinarian thinking about your next career move, this conversation gives you the insight you need to protect your future.

How veterinarians really get paid (and what no one tells you).Production pay is one of the most common, and most confusing, parts of veterinary contracts. In this episode, Lance and Steve unpack how production-based compensation actually works, what details often get overlooked (like negative accrual and what counts as production), and how those fine-print clauses can impact your income long-term. Whether you’re a new graduate or a seasoned veterinarian, this is a must-listen before signing your next contract.

They sound like free money — but what’s the catch?In this episode, Lance and Steve break down one of the hottest topics in veterinary contracts: signing bonuses. They cover the history of how these bonuses became so common, what repayment clauses really mean, and the hidden tax implications that can surprise new grads and experienced vets alike. If you’re thinking about taking that big upfront check, listen first, because what looks like a gift can sometimes come with strings attached.

In this episode of Office Hours with Roasa Law, Dr. Lance Roasa and paralegal Steve Kellner dive into one of the most common, and risky, moves new veterinary grads and seasoned professionals make: signing an offer letter too soon. They break down why offer letters are not just harmless placeholders, the hidden implications of signing early, and how a casual decision can lock you into unfavorable terms.They discuss:Why almost every veterinary job starts with an offer letter—and why that’s not always a good thingThe psychological (and financial) weight of signing earlyWhat should be included in an offer letter vs. what’s usually left outHow to ask for the full employment contract without sounding confrontationalReal stories from the negotiation trenches, including how a few small questions saved veterinarians tens of thousands of dollarsWhether you're a new grad, a specialist, or a vet considering a job change, this episode will make you think twice before putting pen to paper.