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 thing
• The psychological (and financial) weight of signing early
• What should be included in an offer letter vs. what’s usually left out
• How to ask for the full employment contract without sounding confrontational
• Real stories from the negotiation trenches, including how a few small questions saved veterinarians tens of thousands of dollars

Whether 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.