How Does Outsourced or Fractional General Counsel Work?

Outsourced or fractional General Counsel provides legal leadership without a full-time hire. Startups subscribe to a legal service provider - like @VirtualCounsel  - that gives them access to experienced attorneys under predictable pricing structures. This means you can get strategic advice, document review, governance support, and risk mitigation as you need it without a large, fixed salary. 

Fractional GC is especially valuable for early-stage companies that want the expertise of senior legal advisors but don’t yet have the budget or workload to justify an in-house attorney. 

FAQs

Q: What’s the difference between outsourced GC and in-house GC?

A: In-houseGC is a dedicated employee; outsourced GC works remotely and on demand, often across multiple clients. Outsourced can be more cost-efficient for early startups. 

Q: Can outsourced GC participate in board meetings?

A: Yes - many fractional GC providers join key strategic meetings to provide legal context and advice. 

Q: How do startups pay for outsourced counsel?

A: Common models include monthly subscriptions, flat-fee consultations, or per-project pricing, depending on the service provider.