What Is a Fractional General Counsel?

A Fractional General Counsel is a licensed lawyer who provides ongoing, part-time legal support to a business without the cost or commitment of hiring a full-time in-house counsel. Think of it as having your own embedded lawyer who understands your operations, contracts, risks, and goals, but works on a flexible basis suited to your company’s size and budget.

Unlike traditional law firms that focus on one-off transactions or hourly billing, a Fractional General Counsel becomes part of your leadership team. They work proactively to identify legal risks, streamline contracts, improve compliance, and support long-term growth.

What Does a Fractional General Counsel Do?

A Fractional General Counsel handles the day-to-day legal needs that growing businesses often overlook until a problem arises. For Ontario businesses, this role may include:

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts with clients, vendors, and partners.

• Ensuring corporate compliance with Ontario and federal regulations.

• Developing internal legal policies and contract templates.

• Supporting HR-related legal issues, such as employment agreements and termination risk.

• Assisting with corporate transactions, including restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and financing rounds.

• Identifying and mitigating legal risk across operations.

• Acting as a legal sounding board for CEOs and leadership teams.

This approach allows your business to operate with the same level of legal sophistication as much larger companies, without the heavy overhead cost.

Why Are Ontario Businesses Choosing Fractional General Counsel?

Across Ontario, small and mid-sized companies are discovering the value of retaining a Fractional General Counsel. The model is growing in popularity because it combines practical business insight with flexible, cost-effective legal support.

1. Affordability Without Sacrificing Quality

Hiring a full-time in-house lawyer can cost well over $150,000 per year, not including benefits. A Fractional General Counsel provides access to high-level legal guidance at a fraction of the cost. Engagements can be tailored to your business needs, whether that means a few hours each week or a fixed retainer each month.

2. Consistent Support Instead of One-Off Advice

Many business owners only contact a lawyer when a problem occurs or after the contract is signed or the issue has escalated. A Fractional General Counsel takes a preventive approach by identifying risks early and ensuring that your business decisions are legally sound.

3. Legal Strategy Aligned With Business Goals

A Fractional General Counsel does more than review contracts. They help structure deals, negotiate terms that protect your interests, and build systems that scale. Their focus is to align legal strategy with business objectives so that every decision contributes to long-term growth and reduced risk.

When Does a Business Need a Fractional General Counsel?

Most companies reach a point where managing legal issues on an ad hoc basis is no longer sustainable. You may benefit from a Fractional General Counsel if:

• You are signing multiple vendor or client agreements each month and want to ensure they are watertight.

• You have received funding or are preparing for investment and need governance and compliance support.

• You are expanding your team or restructuring operations.

• You frequently find yourself searching for legal answers online.

• You have outgrown one-time legal advice but are not yet ready to hire full-time counsel.

If any of these situations sound familiar, a Fractional General Counsel can provide consistent, business-focused legal support that grows with your company.

The Legal Edge for Ontario Businesses

Having a Fractional General Counsel gives your business the legal foundation it needs to grow confidently. Whether you are scaling a startup, managing supplier contracts, or preparing for investment, ongoing legal oversight helps you move faster while reducing risk.

A Fractional General Counsel brings the perspective of an experienced corporate lawyer for businesses in Ontario who understands both the legal and operational sides of your organization. From compliance to negotiation strategy, their role is to protect your company’s interests while enabling sustainable growth.

Book a Consultation to learn how Fractional General Counsel support can be customized for your business.