What is a Fractional General Counsel? Benefits for Your Business Explained

What is a Fractional General Counsel?

A fractional corporate counsel (FCC) or fractional general counsel (FGC) is an experienced attorney who provides part-time or as-needed legal services to businesses, functioning like in-house counsel—but without the full-time cost.

Unlike traditional outside counsel, a fractional corporate or general counsel becomes integrated with your leadership team, providing proactive and strategic legal advice tailored to your company’s specific needs.

Key Responsibilities of a Fractional Corporate or General Counsel

A fractional corporate counsel or GC can handle a wide range of legal functions, including:

  • Contract drafting, negotiation, and review
  • Corporate governance and compliance
  • Risk management and dispute resolution
  • Employment law and HR guidance
  • Mergers, acquisitions, and fundraising support
  • Intellectual property protection
  • Strategic business planning with legal oversight

Benefits of Hiring a Fractional General Counsel

1. Cost-Effective Legal Support

Hiring a full-time corporate or general counsel can be costly, especially for small to mid-sized businesses. A fractional corporate counsel or fractional general counsel gives you top-tier legal expertise at a fraction of the cost—often through flexible hourly, retainer, or project-based pricing.

2. Scalable Legal Services

Your company’s legal needs change as it grows. A fractional corporate or general counsel offers scalable services that can increase or decrease with your business demands—without long-term commitments or overhead.

3. Proactive Risk Management

Instead of reacting to legal issues after they arise, a fractional corporate counsel or GC helps identify and mitigate legal risks early. This proactive approach can prevent costly litigation and regulatory problems.

4. Business-Aligned Legal Advice

Unlike outside counsel who may work at arm’s length, the ongoing, continuous nature of the relationship means a fractional corporate counsel GC understands your business model, goals, and challenges. They act as a strategic advisor—aligning legal strategies with your business objectives.

5. Faster Turnaround Times

With direct access to a dedicated legal partner without having to negotiate a new engagement agreement with every legal question or legal project that arises, your company can get timely answers to pressing legal questions. This leads to quicker decisions and improved operational efficiency.

Is a Fractional Corporate Counsel or Fractional General Counsel Right for Your Business?

A fractional corporate counsel or fractional GC is an excellent option for:

  • Startups and early-stage companies without full-time legal departments
  • Established companies looking to reduce legal expenses
  • Organizations going through transitions (M&A, expansion, restructuring)
  • Businesses in highly regulated industries needing ongoing compliance oversight

Conclusion

Partnering with a fractional corporate counsel or fractional general counsel gives your company the legal guidance it needs—without the full-time cost. From risk management to contract strategy, an FGC provides the same value as in-house counsel, with the flexibility and efficiency today’s businesses demand.

If you’re ready to explore how a fractional corporate or general counsel can support your company, contact Kinney Firm today.

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