Interpreting Contracts in Maryland

Interpretation of contracts can be very important in Maryland contract disputes and lawsuits. Often within a breach of contract lawsuit, unjust enrichment lawsuit, conversion lawsuit, or other types business dispute, Maryland Circuit Courts and District Courts will need to interpret a contract. Further, when drafting contracts, parties (and their contract attorneys) need to be fully aware of how a Maryland court will interpret that contract if the contract is ever disputed (or challenged) in a lawsuit.

When interpreting contracts in Maryland (including waivers, releases, construction contracts, purchase agreements, settlement agreements, and leases), Maryland courts apply the so-called “objective rule” of contracts. (Slice v. Carozza Properties, Inc.)  Under Maryland’s objective rule of contracts, the written language embodying the terms of an agreement will govern the rights and liabilities of the parties, “irrespective of the intent of the parties at the time they entered into the contract.” (Slice v. Carozza Properties, Inc.)  When exercising the Maryland court’s plenary power to interpret and enforce the plain language of a written contract, the courts apply the contractual intent of the parties is determined by an “objective test,” i.e., the meaning a reasonable person would attribute to the plain language of the contract. (Slice v. Carozza Properties, Inc.)  Maryland courts further employ the fundamental rule of contract construction that the entire contract, and each and all of its parts and provisions, must be given meaning, and force and effect, if that can consistently and reasonably be done.  “An interpretation which gives reasonable meaning to all its provisions will be preferred to one which leaves a portion of the writing useless or inexplicable.” (Deleon Enters., Inc. v. Zaino).

Proper interpretation of a contract is critical for a legal contract dispute. Longman & Van Grack’s contract attorneys and commercial litigation attorneys in our Bethesda and Rockville offices are experienced in all types of contract disputes in Maryland. Longman & Van Grack’s contract lawyers’ main goals are to resolve your legal contract dispute as efficiently as possible. Consequently, our contract attorneys vigorously attempt to resolve your legal contract matter prior to an actual trial. Our contract lawyers strongly encourage resolving all types of contract disputes through alternative dispute resolution if possible. However, if necessary, our contract attorneys and commercial litigation attorneys have all the necessary skills and experience to litigate breach of contract disputes at trial in Maryland courts. Our contract attorneys have handled contract lawsuits in Montgomery County Circuit Court (in Rockville, MD), Frederick County Circuit Court (in Frederick, MD), Prince George’s County Circuit Court (in Upper Marlboro, MD), Howard County Circuit Court (in Ellicott City, MD), and Baltimore County Circuit Court (in Towson, MD).

If you would like to speak to a Maryland contract attorney about a matter at our Rockville or Bethesda Offices, Adam Van Grack and our contract attorneys will take time to thoroughly review your dispute and contract matter to evaluate what the respective parties’ contractual responsibilities are and if liability exists. Our Maryland contracts and commercial litigation lawyers will guide you on the best course of action for an efficient resolution. Contact Adam or our other attorneys at (301) 291-5027 for a contract dispute attorney consultation today at one our Maryland (Rockville or Bethesda) Offices.