Just because a company is “small” or “new” does not mean it is legally simple. This statement applies with special force to companies seeking and obtaining funding or offering new products or ideas to the marketplace. In fact, the concept for Legal Adjunct--a law practice providing outsourced, in-house counsel services--originated from founder Melissa Weiland's experience as General Counsel of a small but quick-paced and complex company, with little headcount for legal staff and even less budget for law firm-level billing.
What makes a good "out-house," or adjunct, General Counsel?
- Flexible fee structures, competitive rates
- On-site, on-call, or both
- Virtual office capability
- Broad corporate skill set
- Strong referral network
- Significant law firm and in-house experience
If you are an entrepreneurial company not yet ready to hire a full-time GC (but ready to reduce or augment your reliance on outside law firms), an in-house legal department in need of regular or occasional "surge protection," or an individual entrepreneur looking for a trusted advisor and protagonist, consider adding Legal Adjunct to your team.