Fractional general counsel: ongoing legal help without a full-time hire
A fractional general counsel is an outside lawyer who does the job of an in-house lawyer for your company on a part-time, ongoing basis. We fill that role for startups, smaller businesses and established companies in Ontario and in New York.
- Law Society of OntarioLicensed in Ontario
- New York State BarAdmitted in New York
What a fractional general counsel does for a company
A general counsel (GC) advises a company's owners, managers and board, and keeps legal risk in view as the business grows. Fractional general counsel services give you that role part-time. They suit companies with steady legal work but no need for a full-time lawyer. They also give in-house teams extra capacity.
In practice, we review and negotiate contracts as they arrive, keep corporate records current and track your company's compliance obligations. We answer the questions that come up with staff, customers and suppliers. If a matter goes to court or needs tax advice, we help you brief an outside expert and keep the work on track.
Working with a fractional GC starts with a conversation about your company and its legal work. We agree on the scope in writing, then start with the agreements and records where your risk is highest. After that, you contact us as questions come up. The scope can grow for a funding round or a sale, then shrink in quieter months.
In Ontario
We act as general counsel for Ontario businesses, including federally incorporated companies, on contracts, governance and compliance.
In New York
We act as outside general counsel for New York businesses, including LLCs, on contracts, governance and compliance.
Across the border
If your company operates in Ontario and in New York, we coordinate the work on both sides so the advice stays consistent, with each side set out in its own written terms.
- Contracts
- Customer and vendor agreements
- Review and negotiation
- Templates for repeat deals
- Board and governance
- Board meetings and resolutions
- Minute books and records
- Bylaws and shareholder agreements
- LLC operating agreements
- Compliance
- Required corporate filings
- Privacy and data policies
- Internal policies and compliance checks
- Employment
- Employment agreements and policies
- Contractor agreements
- Staff questions
- Deals and financing
- Commercial negotiations
- Financing rounds
- Buying or selling a business
- Disputes
- Reviewing your position
- Demand letters
- Negotiation and settlement
Ready to start
If you already know you want ongoing counsel, send an inquiry and we will reply within 1 to 2 business days.
Send an inquiryWant advice first
If you are still deciding whether ongoing counsel fits your company, book a consultation to talk it through first.
Book a consultationWho works with a fractional general counsel
Established companies
Companies with an in-house legal team that needs more hands. We add fractional legal counsel for overflow work, leave coverage or a single project.
Growing companies
Businesses with a board, a management team and regular contracts, but no lawyer on staff. We act as the legal lead for as long as that suits you.
Startups
Founders who have finished their formation and fundraising paperwork and now face legal questions every week. Fractional general counsel for startups covers the gap before a first legal hire.
Smaller businesses
Owner-managed and family businesses with contract, staff and supplier questions every month. We handle the legal needs of smaller businesses as they come up.
What working with us looks like
- 01One point of contact
Your questions go to a lawyer who already knows the company, so you do not have to explain the background each time.
- 02Plain answers
We explain the legal risk in plain terms and tell you what we recommend.
- 03Scope in writing
Our general counsel services are set out in writing at the start and updated as your needs change.
- 04Advice under local law
We advise Ontario companies under Ontario law and New York companies under New York law.
What our clients say
Joseph explained every step of the legal process in a clear and straightforward manner. I always felt informed and at ease. His professionalism and dedication gave me confidence that my case was in the right hands. I highly recommend his services to anyone seeking legal assistance.
Leena E.
Working with Joseph Mayo was a fantastic experience. He is incredibly knowledgeable and efficient, helping me with important files that needed quick submission. His expertise and dedication were evident, and he guided me through the process in record time. I’m grateful for his prompt and thorough assistance. Highly recommended for anyone needing legal expertise!
Ziad A.
Joseph’s the kind of lawyer who actually listens. I never felt like just a file on his desk—he really took the time to understand me and what I was going through. It made the whole experience a lot less stressful. I’m honestly so glad I found him.
Wisam R.
Guides on this topic
Common questions
What is a fractional general counsel?
A fractional general counsel is an outside lawyer who does the work of a company's general counsel part-time. You get an ongoing relationship with a lawyer who learns your business and handles your regular legal work. You do not add a full-time employee. The role is also called outsourced general counsel or virtual general counsel.
What does a general counsel do for a company?
A general counsel is the company's lead lawyer and the first call for any legal question. The role usually covers contracts, governance, compliance, employment matters and disputes in their early stages. A general counsel also advises the owners, managers or board on the legal side of business decisions. The general counsel usually reports to the chief executive and decides when to bring in outside lawyers.
How is a fractional general counsel different from in-house or outside counsel?
A fractional GC is outside counsel who works the way in-house counsel does. In-house counsel is a lawyer on the company's own staff, usually full-time. Traditional outside counsel is a law firm that is usually hired one matter at a time. A fractional arrangement keeps the same outside lawyer on an ongoing basis. Each piece of advice builds on what that lawyer already knows about your business.
Can a fractional lawyer support our in-house legal team?
Yes, a fractional lawyer can work alongside an in-house team. Companies with legal staff often use one for overflow work, leave coverage or a specific project. The lawyer can also cover questions under Ontario or New York law that the team does not usually handle. We follow your team's processes and take instructions from the person you name, so the team stays in charge.
How much does a fractional general counsel cost?
The cost depends on the scope of the work, so there is no single price. The main factors are the volume and complexity of the legal work. Whether board or transaction work is included also matters. We discuss your needs in a first conversation and set out the terms of the engagement in writing before it starts.
When should a company hire a fractional general counsel?
A good time is when legal questions arrive every week but a full-time lawyer is not yet justified. Common signs include a growing pile of contracts, new investors or board members, and a first wave of hires. Another is an in-house team that is stretched thin. Fractional legal services let you start with a small scope and adjust it over time.
Ongoing counsel from a firm that practices in Ontario and in New York.
Joseph Mayo is the principal attorney at Mayo Law. He is licensed to practice law in both Ontario and New York, holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from New York University School of Law with a specialty in international business and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in law and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in business from Netanya Academic College, and is a member of the American Bar Association and the Law Society of Ontario. His practice focuses on cross-border immigration, business law, white collar defense, and compliance.
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