While one can certainly enter into a contract without an attorney, (people do everyday), there are definitely times when a contracts attorney is needed, including, but not limited to:

1. Negotiating a professional employment contract;
2. Purchasing real estate / taking out a mortgage;
3. Interpreting the details of a contract one has already entered;
4. Leasing a parcel of real estate;
5. Appointing a trustee;
6. Determining if another party has breached a contract 

Skilled contracts attorneys have the ability to sift out the traps in a document, as well as slip in a few beneficial terms for their clients.  He or she has vast knowledge of the Uniform Commercial Code (U.C.C.) and state law, and also stays on top of trending changes in the law. 

Most people enter into contracts on a daily basis without giving an attorney a second thought.  One buys a car, gets a new credit card, or finances a new piece of furniture.  These are all everyday, normal contractual obligations that we all enter.  An attorney is usually sought in these situations after something goes wrong. 

The bottom line, though, is if you ever find yourself with a contractual question (and you certainly will, if you ever get around to reading the fine print), these are times to contact a contracts attorney.  A few dollars spent ensuring a healthy transaction is money much better spent than hiring a litigator on the back end on a soured deal.