What Is a Fractional General Counsel (GC)? A Complete Guide for Growing Businesses
Learn what a Fractional General Counsel (GC) is, how Fractional GC services work, and why startups and growing businesses use Fractional General Counsel or Fractional General Counsil services for ongoing, flat-fee legal support without hiring in-house counsel.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
A Fractional General Counsel (GC) is a senior business attorney who provides ongoing legal guidance on a part-time or subscription basis, without the cost of hiring a full-time in-house General Counsel.
Also known as Fractional GC, Virtual General Counsel, or Fractional General Counsil, this model gives growing businesses strategic legal support with predictable pricing.
What Is a Fractional General Counsel (GC)?
A Fractional General Counsel (GC) is a senior business attorney who provides ongoing, strategic legal support to a company on a part-time, subscription-based, or flat-fee basis, rather than being hired as a full-time in-house executive.
Fractional General Counsel services give businesses access to experienced legal leadership, without the high cost, long-term commitment, or overhead of a traditional General Counsel.
This model is also commonly referred to as:
Fractional GC
Part-Time General Counsel
Virtual General Counsel
Outsourced General Counsel
Fractional General Counsil (a common misspelling searched online)
What Does a Fractional General Counsel Do?
A Fractional GC functions as an embedded legal advisor within your business. Instead of handling isolated tasks, a Fractional General Counsel supports day-to-day legal decisions while aligning legal strategy with business goals.
Common Responsibilities of a Fractional GC
A Fractional General Counsel typically assists with:
Contract drafting, review, and negotiation
Corporate governance and entity management
Employment law guidance and HR compliance
Risk assessment and mitigation
Vendor, customer, and partnership agreements
Regulatory and compliance oversight
Intellectual property strategy
Fundraising, investor relations, and M&A support
Ongoing legal strategy for leadership teams
A Fractional GC is proactive, not reactive—helping businesses avoid legal issues before they arise.
Fractional General Counsel vs Traditional Law Firms
Fractional General Counsel services are designed for modern businesses that value speed, clarity, and cost control.
Who Needs a Fractional General Counsel?
Fractional GC services are ideal for:
Startups and founders
Small and mid-sized businesses
SaaS and technology companies
E-commerce and online businesses
Professional services firms
Companies preparing to scale, raise capital, or exit
If your business needs ongoing legal guidance but does not require a full-time General Counsel, a Fractional GC is the optimal solution.
When Should a Business Hire a Fractional GC?
Many companies benefit from a Fractional General Counsel when:
Contracts are signed frequently
Legal questions arise weekly or monthly
Compliance obligations are increasing
The business is scaling rapidly
Leadership needs legal input for strategic decisions
Waiting until there is a legal problem is costly. Fractional General Counsel services help businesses stay ahead of risk.
What Does a Fractional General Counsel Cost?
Fractional General Counsel services are typically offered through:
Monthly subscriptions
Flat-fee service packages
Predictable retainer models
This eliminates surprise invoices and allows businesses to budget legal expenses accurately. Compared to a full-time General Counsel—often costing $200,000+ annually—a Fractional GC delivers executive-level legal expertise at a fraction of the cost.
Fractional General Counsel vs In-House General Counsel
A full-time General Counsel is best suited for companies with:
Large teams
Heavy regulatory exposure
Constant litigation needs
For most growing businesses, a Fractional General Counsel provides the same strategic legal oversight, without payroll, benefits, equity dilution, or long-term commitment.
Fractional GC vs Lawyer on Retainer
A lawyer on retainer typically waits for instructions and handles specific matters. A Fractional General Counsel however:
Anticipates legal risk
Advises proactively
Thinks like a business executive
Integrates legal strategy into operations
A Fractional GC is a strategic partner, not just a service provider.
Benefits of Hiring a Fractional General Counsel
Hiring a Fractional GC helps businesses:
Reduce legal risk
Make faster, more confident decisions
Avoid costly legal mistakes
Scale without compliance gaps
Gain senior legal insight without overhead
Fractional General Counsel services allow founders and executives to focus on growth, not legal uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fractional General Counsel
What is a Fractional General Counsel (GC)?
A Fractional General Counsel is a senior attorney who provides ongoing legal support on a part-time or subscription basis instead of being hired full time.
Is a Fractional GC worth it?
Yes. A Fractional GC helps prevent legal issues, manage risk, and provide executive-level legal strategy at a predictable cost.
How is a Fractional General Counsel paid?
Most Fractional GC services are offered via flat-fee subscriptions or fixed monthly packages.
Is “Fractional General Counsil” the same as Fractional General Counsel?
Yes. “Fractional General Counsil” is a common misspelling and refers to the same service.
How Law Chapter Provides Fractional General Counsel Services:
Law Chapter offers subscription-based, flat-fee Fractional General Counsel services designed specifically for modern businesses. Instead of unpredictable hourly billing, Law Chapter provides:
Direct access to experienced attorneys
Ongoing legal guidance tailored to your business
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
Fractional General Counsel support aligned with growth
Law Chapter acts as your outsourced General Counsel, helping you make confident legal decisions while scaling efficiently. To learn more about Fractional General Counsel services or to get started, contact Law Chapter: