Outside General Counsel: A Real Legal Partner for Growing Companies

C-suite legal thinking without the C-suite salary.

Outside General Counsel Overview

What Is OGC?

Outside general counsel is a fractional Chief Legal Officer arrangement. Strategic legal leadership without full-time overhead.

What's Included

  • Board & investor support
  • Risk management
  • Transaction support

Investment

$3K-$15K+/month based on stage and scope. Flat-fee arrangements provide cost predictability.

Best Fit

  • Funded startups scaling
  • Regulated industries
  • Preparing for deals

Your Chief Legal Officer, Reimagined

Think of it as having a CLO who:

  • Joins your leadership team without the overhead
  • Brings insights from working with multiple companies across industries
  • Scales up or down as your needs change
  • Aligns incentives through flat-fee structures

For a predictable monthly investment:

Strategic Leadership

Participation in board meetings, investor discussions, and strategic planning sessions.

Proactive Risk Management

Regular reviews to identify and address issues before they impact valuation or operations.

Transaction Support

From customer contracts to complex M&A, handled with business context in mind.

Structured Communication

Direct collaboration with your executive team through established channels and regular touchpoints.

Understanding Your Options

Different legal service models serve different needs. Here's how the options generally compare.

Typical market ranges (illustrative)

In-House Counsel

  • Cost Full-time salary + benefits
  • Availability Dedicated to one company
  • Context Deep company knowledge
  • Best for Companies with sufficient scale

Traditional Firm

  • Cost Hourly billing
  • Availability Project-based engagement
  • Context Varies by engagement
  • Best for Specialized transactions

Consilium Law OGC

  • Cost Predictable monthly fee
  • Availability Ongoing relationship
  • Context Deep + cross-industry
  • Best for Growth-stage companies

Each model has its place depending on company stage, needs, and resources. This comparison reflects general characteristics; actual services and pricing vary.

Designed for Innovation Leaders

Our clients share a common trait: they're building something that matters.

You may be an ideal fit if you:

  • Lead a venture in regulated industries (cleantech, AI/ML, industrial tech, energy)
  • Need strategic legal support without full-time headcount
  • Value proactive planning over reactive problem-solving
  • Want a lawyer who understands both the rules and the business
  • Value direct communication and practical advice

We serve:

  • Funded startups preparing to scale
  • Mid-market companies entering new markets
  • Corporate innovation teams
  • Family enterprises modernizing operations
  • International ventures entering U.S. markets

A Structured Partnership Approach

Here's how we work together. No mystery, no surprises.

Step 1

Strategic Assessment

Evaluate your legal landscape and growth trajectory

Step 2

Custom Structure

Design flat-fee arrangement with defined scope and protocols

Step 3

Integration Planning

Establish communication channels and meeting schedules

Step 4

Ongoing Partnership

Regular strategic sessions and responsive support

Our Communication Framework

Scheduled Strategic Sessions

Weekly or bi-weekly check-ins based on your needs

Responsive Support

Quick turnaround on time-sensitive matters during business hours

Emergency Protocol

Clear escalation path for urgent issues

Collaborative Tools

Integration with your preferred communication platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

What does outside general counsel cost?

Outside general counsel services are provided through predictable flat-fee monthly arrangements, typically ranging from $3,000 to $15,000+ per month depending on company stage, complexity, and scope. Our flat-fee model provides cost predictability and aligns incentives.

What is the difference between outside general counsel and a traditional law firm?

Outside general counsel (OGC) functions as an embedded member of your leadership team, providing ongoing strategic legal guidance for a predictable monthly fee. This model provides continuous counsel, proactive risk management, board participation, and deep company context through an ongoing relationship rather than project-based billing.

When should a company hire outside general counsel?

Companies typically benefit from outside general counsel when they: (1) have completed seed funding and are preparing to scale, (2) face complex regulatory requirements in their industry, (3) need strategic legal advice but can't justify a full-time hire, (4) are preparing for significant transactions like fundraising or M&A, or (5) want proactive legal guidance rather than reactive problem-solving.

What is included in outside general counsel services?

Our OGC services include: strategic legal leadership and board meeting participation, proactive risk management and compliance reviews, transaction support for customer contracts through complex M&A, regulatory navigation and compliance frameworks, IP strategy oversight, employment matters, and responsive support through established communication channels. The specific scope is customized to each client's needs and growth stage.

What industries does Consilium Law serve?

We serve growth companies in regulated and technology-driven industries including: clean energy and climate technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, industrial innovation and advanced manufacturing, oil and gas technology, and enterprise technology and infrastructure. Our industry focus allows us to provide counsel that understands your specific regulatory landscape and deal structures.

What is fractional general counsel?

Fractional general counsel is another term for outside general counsel, an arrangement where companies engage experienced legal counsel on a part-time or as-needed basis rather than hiring a full-time in-house attorney. The "fractional" model allows growing companies to access senior legal experience and strategic guidance for a fraction of the cost of a full-time Chief Legal Officer.

How is outside general counsel different from in-house counsel?

In-house counsel is a full-time employee dedicated to one company. Outside general counsel provides similar strategic legal leadership but on a flexible, flat-fee basis. OGC can also bring cross-industry insights from working with multiple companies, while in-house counsel offers deeper singular company context. For many growth-stage companies, OGC provides flexibility that matches their stage.

What jurisdictions does Consilium Law serve?

Consilium Law LLC is licensed to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia. For clients with legal needs in other jurisdictions, we work with qualified local counsel to ensure coordinated, compliant representation. Many transactional matters can be handled directly under our licensed jurisdictions, while matters requiring local bar admission are coordinated with trusted local counsel relationships.

Ready to Add a Legal Partner to Your Team?

Let's talk about how OGC can help you grow without the overhead of a full-time hire.

Discuss Your Requirements