Outside General Counsel
Most growing businesses reach a stage where legal questions come up regularly — contracts need to be reviewed, employment issues need guidance, new regulations need to be understood — but where the volume and cost of those needs does not justify a full-time in-house attorney. Outside general counsel is the answer to that gap.
As outside general counsel, I serve as a trusted ongoing legal resource for your business: available when you need guidance, familiar with your company and its context, and able to handle a wide range of day-to-day legal matters without the overhead of a large firm or the cost of hiring a full-time attorney.
What I Handle
Commercial Contracts
Most business relationships are defined by contracts, and most legal disputes arise from contracts that were poorly drafted, inadequately reviewed, or simply never read carefully before signing. I review, draft, and negotiate commercial agreements — customer contracts, vendor agreements, software licenses, NDAs, service agreements, and partnership arrangements — to ensure that the terms reflect your intentions and protect your interests.
Employment and Contractor Matters
Hiring, managing, and separating from employees and contractors involves significant legal exposure, particularly in New York where state employment law is extensive. I advise on offer letters, employment agreements, independent contractor arrangements, restrictive covenants, and separation agreements, helping businesses navigate these issues without creating unnecessary risk.
Regulatory Compliance
Many businesses operate in regulated environments without a clear picture of their compliance obligations — data privacy rules, industry-specific regulations, licensing requirements, or state registration requirements. As outside general counsel, I help identify the regulatory landscape your business operates in and develop practical approaches to meeting those obligations.
Day-to-Day Legal Matters
Outside general counsel means being available for the legal questions that arise in the ordinary course of business: reviewing a contract before you sign it, advising on a dispute with a vendor or customer, helping you understand what a regulatory notice means, or working through an unusual situation that does not fit a standard category. Having a lawyer who knows your business and is accessible makes a meaningful difference in how quickly and effectively these matters get resolved.
Engagement Structure
I work with outside general counsel clients on both a retainer basis — providing a defined level of availability for a monthly fee — and on a project basis for specific matters. The right structure depends on the volume and predictability of your legal needs. I am happy to discuss both options and find an arrangement that works for your business.