Growing businesses eventually reach a point where legal issues become too complex to manage informally. Matters such as employment agreements, real estate contracts, and client disputes start to pile up, and leaders realize that the company needs a consistent legal strategy instead of one-off solutions.
This isn’t a bad thing. It’s a sure sign of leveling up to reach your goals. And can also be stressful, confusing, and time consuming to manage. That’s where outside general counsel becomes an asset.
Businesses that benefit most from this relationship are those in motion: expanding, hiring, or navigating change. They are ready to treat legal counsel as part of their overall business strategy. In this blog, we’ll look at what one can expect from outside general counsel, a checklist for when to know it is time to consider it as an option, and how much it costs.
What Outside General Counsel Does
Outside general counsel functions as an extension of your leadership team. Instead of hiring a lawyer to handle a single issue, you have someone who understands your business, people, and goals. That ongoing relationship allows your attorney to anticipate challenges before they happen and provide advice that aligns with your long-term objectives.
At Malek + Malek, this kind of support often includes:
- Reviewing and negotiating contracts with customers, contractors, vendors, or partners
- Advising on employment laws and personnel decisions
- Supporting mergers, acquisitions, or other business transitions
- Implementation support through regular check-ins and structured feedback
- Managing risk and ensuring legal compliance
- Guiding board governance and decision-making
- Providing crisis management and litigation prevention
A general counsel relationship focuses on prevention. Businesses that take this approach tend to save both time and money because they avoid costly disputes and make decisions with a clear understanding of their risks and responsibilities.
When to Bring in Outside General Counsel
Every company’s timeline looks different, but most clients reach a point where one or more of the following signs appear:
You have recurring legal questions. If you find yourself calling a lawyer several times a year, or waiting until problems arise before reaching out, it might be time to consider ongoing counsel. Having an attorney who already knows your business allows you to get answers quickly and avoid preventable mistakes.
Your business is growing. Growth brings opportunity, but it also creates complexity. Whether you are hiring new employees, opening a second location, or entering new markets, expansion adds new legal layers. Outside general counsel helps your business grow with structure and foresight.
You are entering into contracts you feel like you do not fully understand. Many businesses sign leases, vendor contracts, or partnership agreements without realizing the long-term implications. Those details can create serious problems later. General counsel ensures that every agreement supports your goals and protects your interests.
You are facing sensitive internal issues. Employment disputes, partnership conflicts, and other internal challenges can escalate quickly. Having a trusted advisor who knows your culture and priorities allows for faster and more effective resolutions, often without litigation.
You want to think strategically about risk. Legal risk never disappears, but it can be managed. Businesses that partner with general counsel move from reacting to anticipating. That shift changes how decisions are made and helps preserve both reputation and resources.
What It Costs
Hiring a full-time general counsel often costs more than most small and midsize businesses can afford once salary, benefits, and overhead are considered. Outside general counsel provides the same level of strategic legal expertise at a much lower cost.
Malek + Malek offers flexible structures that allow clients to choose what fits their needs best, including:
- Monthly flat fees for predictable legal costs
- Standard hourly billing for specific projects and long-term engagements with a focus on direct access to attorneys
- Hybrid models that blend consistent access with flexibility for special matters
The right arrangement depends on the size of your business, how often you need guidance, and the complexity of your industry. What matters most is having an attorney who understands your operations and is available before a crisis develops.
Final Thoughts
Effective general counsel is about more than drafting documents or interpreting laws. It is about trust, clarity, and long-term alignment. Businesses turn to Malek + Malek because our attorneys combine deep legal knowledge with practical business insight.
We serve as strategic partners who listen carefully, communicate clearly, and respond quickly. Whether your business is navigating a merger, exploring real estate opportunities, or addressing internal challenges, our goal is the same: to help you make confident, informed decisions that strengthen your organization.
The businesses that work with us for general counsel services gain more than legal protection. They gain steady, experienced advisors who believe that healthy legal practices build healthy businesses. Preventing problems, protecting people, and planning for growth; that is what we do best.