Fractional General Counsel Guide™
At some point, ad hoc legal stops working. Legal tasks start competing with product for founder attention, and gaps accumulate in contracts, governance and compliance. A fractional GC solves this — without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire. Here's exactly what that means.
What's inside
- The fractional GC model explained — what it is, what it isn't, and how it differs from hourly counsel
- The 6 signals you need one — the reliable indicators that ad hoc legal is costing you more than a retainer would
- Scope of a typical engagement — contracts, governance, employment, IP, compliance, fundraising support and strategic advice
- In-house vs. fractional vs. hourly comparison — cost, coverage and tradeoffs at each stage
- How to evaluate a fractional GC — the questions to ask, the red flags to look for, what good looks like
- Onboarding framework — how to set up the engagement for maximum output in the first 30 days
- Pricing guide — realistic retainer ranges by stage and scope
Who this is for
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Frequently asked questions
What is a fractional general counsel?
A fractional GC is an experienced legal leader who serves as your head of legal on a part-time or retainer basis. They're integrated into operations — not called when a problem appears. They attend board meetings, review contracts proactively, advise on strategic decisions and manage external counsel.
When does a startup need a fractional GC?
Key signals: signing multiple contracts per month without consistent review, legal tasks consuming significant founder time, preparing for institutional fundraising, hiring internationally, building an enterprise pipeline, or having experienced a team departure that revealed gaps. Most startups benefit from seed stage onward.
How much does a fractional GC cost?
Retainers typically range from $2,000–$8,000 per month depending on scope and volume — compared to $250,000–$400,000/year for a full-time in-house GC. The fractional model makes sense until $20M+ ARR or post-Series B, when legal volume typically justifies dedicated headcount.
Tell us where your startup is and we'll show you how an offsite GC model works for your stage.