Can I use anonymized work samples in my portfolio?

Only if your NDA explicitly allows it or you have written authorization. Even anonymized data can be considered proprietary trade secrets if it reveals internal methodologies, client lists, or unique business processes.

How can I legally showcase my past work?

Request a written 'Portfolio Release' from your employer, focus on public-facing projects, or create 'spec' work that demonstrates your skills without using proprietary company assets.

A TermScore is an AI-generated risk rating from 0 to 100 that evaluates the fairness and risk level of any legal document. A score of 86-100 means the contract is highly favorable, while 0-30 indicates dangerous terms you should walk away from.

What types of documents can TermScore analyze?

TermScore analyzes any legal document including freelance contracts, employment agreements, residential leases, NDAs, brand sponsorship deals, SaaS vendor agreements, and rental applications. Upload PDFs, Word documents, or images.

How much does TermScore cost?

TermScore offers a free plan with 3 scores per month. The Team plan is $15/month for 30 scores, and the Professional plan is $50/month for 500 scores with team collaboration features.

Is my document data secure?

Yes. Documents are processed in memory and analysis results are stored encrypted. TermScore never shares your document data with third parties and you can delete your data at any time from your dashboard.

Does an employment NDA prohibit me from using my personal work samples in a portfolio?

Yes, most employment NDAs prohibit the use of work samples in a portfolio. Because work created during employment is typically classified as 'work-for-hire' owned by the employer, displaying it without written permission constitutes a breach of confidentiality and intellectual property theft. Your NDA likely defines all work product as proprietary, meaning you do not have the legal right to distribute or display it publicly.

The Legal Reality of Work-for-Hire

When you sign an employment agreement, you are usually signing a 'Work Made for Hire' clause. Under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, work created within the scope of your employment is owned by the employer from the moment of creation. You are not the author in the eyes of the law; the company is.

Why NDAs are Broad

Employers draft NDAs to protect trade secrets, which include not just files, but also methodologies, internal workflows, and client-specific strategies. Even if you believe a sample is 'harmless,' it may contain metadata or stylistic markers that reveal proprietary information. Courts generally uphold these clauses strictly to prevent the leakage of competitive advantages.

Key takeaway: Never assume that 'publicly available' work is yours to use. Even if a project is live on a website, the underlying code, design files, or strategy documents remain the exclusive property of your employer.

Action Item: Review your employment contract for a section titled 'Intellectual Property' or 'Proprietary Information.' If it states that all work product is the 'sole and exclusive property' of the company, you are legally barred from using it in a portfolio without a written waiver.

Common Red Flags in Your NDA

When reviewing your contract, look for specific language that restricts your ability to showcase your skills. If you see these terms, your portfolio is likely at risk:

'Work Product': Often defined to include all drafts, notes, and final deliverables.
'Confidential Information': Frequently includes internal processes, client identities, and non-public strategies.
'Non-Solicitation/Non-Disclosure': These clauses often overlap, preventing you from discussing the nature of your work with third parties.
'Survival Clause': This ensures your obligations under the NDA continue indefinitely, even after you leave the company.

Term	Risk Level	Implication
Work-for-Hire	High	You own zero rights to the output.
Trade Secret	Critical	Disclosure can lead to immediate litigation.
Public Domain	Low	Work already released by the company may be safer, but still risky.
Non-Compete	Medium	May restrict where you can show your portfolio.

Action Item: Create a list of every project you intend to include in your portfolio and cross-reference the specific definitions of 'Confidential Information' in your contract against each project.

How to Legally Showcase Your Work

If you need to demonstrate your expertise, you must do so within the bounds of the law. Follow this process to minimize your liability:

Request a Portfolio Release: Draft a simple document for your manager or HR department to sign, explicitly authorizing you to display specific projects in a non-commercial, professional portfolio.
Focus on Public-Facing Assets: If you worked on a marketing campaign, link to the live URL rather than uploading the internal strategy deck.
Create 'Spec' Work: If you cannot use real client work, create 'speculative' projects that demonstrate the same skills and methodologies without using actual company data.
Anonymize and Abstract: If you have permission to use the work, strip out all client names, specific metrics, and proprietary branding.

The Risks of Ignoring Your NDA

Violating an NDA is not a minor infraction. It can lead to:

Cease and Desist Letters: A formal legal demand to remove your portfolio immediately.
Breach of Contract Lawsuits: Employers may sue for damages if they can prove your disclosure caused a loss of competitive advantage.
Reputational Damage: Future employers may view you as a liability if they discover you have a history of leaking proprietary information.

Key takeaway: The cost of a lawsuit far outweighs the benefit of one portfolio piece. If you are unsure, do not post it.

Action Item: If you are currently in the process of leaving a job, ask for a 'Portfolio Release' as part of your exit interview or separation agreement. It is much easier to get this signed while you are still an employee than after you have left.

Automated Contract Analysis

Navigating the complexities of employment law and intellectual property clauses is difficult without legal training. TermScore uses advanced AI to instantly scan your employment agreements, highlighting restrictive covenants and IP ownership clauses that could impact your career. By identifying these risks before you build your portfolio, you can protect your professional reputation and ensure you remain in full compliance with your contractual obligations.