The Power of Fractional General Counsel


Running a successful business, whether it's a non-profit organization or a for-profit venture, demands more than just a great idea and hard work. Legal matters can quickly become a stumbling block if not properly managed. Enter the fractional general counsel, a strategic legal partner that can transform the way you approach legal challenges.

What is Fractional General Counsel?

Imagine having access to legal expertise well-matched to your organization’s needs without the cost and commitment of a full-time, in-house attorney. Fractional general counsel is a cost-effective alternative that allows businesses to tap into the knowledge and experience of seasoned legal professionals on an as-needed basis.

The fractional general counsel model provides your business with a dedicated legal advisor who understands your unique needs, goals, and challenges. Instead of handling only sporadic legal issues, they become an integral part of your team, offering strategic guidance, risk mitigation, and proactive legal solutions.

Why Hire Fractional General Counsel?

Cost-Effectiveness: One of the most significant benefits of hiring a fractional general counsel is cost savings. Traditional in-house legal departments can be expensive to maintain, with salaries, benefits, and overhead costs. Both nationwide and in the D.C., area, nonprofit general counsel salaries average $160,000 a year in 2023,[i] exclusive of benefits, while general counsel in for-profit businesses average well over $300,000 a year, exclusive of benefits, bonuses, and long term incentives.[ii] Fractional general counsel allows you to access the services of a dedicated attorney at a fraction of that cost.

Flexibility: Fractional general counsel arrangements are flexible by nature. You can scale their involvement up or down as your business needs change. This flexibility is invaluable when dealing with legal matters that may require varying levels of attention over time.

Special Expertise: Unlike a one-size-fits-all approach, a fractional general counsel understands the intricacies of your industry and can provide tailored legal solutions that align with your business goals.

Risk Mitigation: Legal issues can be a significant source of risk for businesses. With fractional general counsel, you have a legal partner who proactively identifies and addresses potential risks, helping you avoid costly legal disputes and compliance violations.

Strategic Guidance: Your fractional general counsel isn't just there to put out fires; they also help you navigate complex legal landscapes strategically. They can provide guidance on business decisions, contracts, intellectual property protection, and more.

Time Savings: By outsourcing your legal needs to a fractional general counsel, you can free up valuable time and resources that can be redirected toward growing and managing the core functions of your business. This allows you to focus on what you do best while leaving legal matters in capable hands.

Finding the Right Fractional General Counsel

Finding the right fractional general counsel for your venture comes down to identifying a lawyer or firm who understands your industry, has the experience and connections to help you avoid common and industry-specific legal pitfalls, and is eager to help you realize the vision and goals of your enterprise.

In addition to its other legal service offerings, Watershed General Counsel provides fractional general counsel services to small to medium businesses and governmental entities in Maryland, with a focus on the environmental strategy, natural resource restoration, conservation, renewable energy, and water and wastewater utility sectors.

Jennifer Wazenski, the attorney behind Watershed Legal Counsel, has three decades of experience in private practice and public service. In addition to providing targeted representation in environmental regulatory and natural resources management matters, she served as general counsel and deputy general counsel, respectively, for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of the Environment.  This breadth of experience means the firm can handle a wide range of legal issues that your business may encounter.

In today's complex and ever-changing business landscape, having a fractional general counsel like Watershed Legal Counsel by your side can be a game-changer. If our experience, industry-specific knowledge, and commitment to proactive risk management align with your legal needs, reach out today to see how we can help.



Disclaimer: Attorney advertising. The information provided at this site is for general purposes only. 

It is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.

© 2023 Watershed Legal Counsel. All rights reserved.

[ii] BarkerGilmore 2023 In House Counsel Compensation Report (Apr. 2023), avail. www.barkergilmore.com

 


Location: Annapolis, MD, USA

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