What is a fractional general counsel?

A fractional general counsel provides ongoing strategic legal oversight to companies that need senior counsel but are not ready to hire a full-time in-house attorney. Typical engagements involve monthly retainers of $3,000 to $10,000, providing predictable costs and direct partner access without the $250,000 to $400,000 fully-loaded cost of an in-house hire.

When should a startup hire outside general counsel?

Most companies benefit from fractional general counsel after raising a Series A, when legal complexity increases but annual legal spend (typically $50,000 to $150,000) does not justify a full-time hire. Companies typically bring counsel in-house at approximately $20 million in revenue or when annual legal spend exceeds $200,000.

How is fractional GC different from using a law firm?

Traditional law firm relationships are transactional: you call when you have a problem, receive an invoice, and the matter closes. Fractional general counsel relationships are ongoing: your attorney attends board meetings, knows your business deeply, and provides proactive strategic guidance. The attorney becomes part of your team rather than an outside vendor.

What industries do you serve?

We focus on Massachusetts life sciences, healthcare, and technology companies. Our clients include digital health platforms, AI/ML medical device developers, physician-owned practices, biotech startups, and growth-stage SaaS companies operating in regulated environments.

What does fractional general counsel cost?

Monthly retainers typically range from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on company stage and legal complexity, with additional work billed at agreed hourly rates. This delivers senior attorney attention at 20-30% of the cost of a full-time in-house general counsel.

Outside General Counsel for Massachusetts Executives & Boards

Business Advisory

Strategic counsel for life sciences, healthcare, and technology companies where regulatory missteps cost millions.

2.71x

Non-compliance costs nearly three times more than maintaining a compliance program. 1

$9.36M

U.S. companies pay $9.36M per data breach on average, nearly double the global cost. 2

$8.2B

Financial remedies ordered by the SEC in FY2024. 3

6 Years

Massachusetts statute of limitations for contract claims. 4

FDA-authorized AI medical devices surged 140% since 2021 to over 1,250, with new transparency and validation requirements exposing developers to mounting compliance and product liability risk. 5

Growth-stage companies need more than transactional support but rarely need a full-time general counsel. A senior in-house hire costs $250,000 to $400,000 fully loaded. Most Series A and B companies spend $50,000 to $150,000 annually on legal.

We fill that gap. As your fractional general counsel, we provide the strategic oversight, institutional memory, and senior judgment you need at a predictable monthly cost. Direct partner access on every matter. No associates learning on your dime.

Overview

We represent Massachusetts life sciences, healthcare, and technology companies from formation through disputes. Engagement models include monthly retainer, fixed fee, or hourly.

Companies typically hire their first in-house counsel at $20 million in revenue. Below that threshold, fractional GC delivers senior judgment without permanent overhead. 6

The Fractional GC Model

Unlike BigLaw firms that provide external support, we become part of your team. We attend board meetings, know your cap table, and answer your Saturday text. We spot issues before they become problems and build the compliance infrastructure that survives due diligence.

What you get: a senior attorney who understands your business deeply, responds immediately, and provides practical solutions that enable growth. What you avoid: the overhead of a full-time hire, the bureaucracy of a large firm, and the surprise invoices that blow your legal budget.

Massachusetts hosts over 1,000 biotech companies and 2,600+ startups. We advise founders building the next generation of life sciences and technology companies. 7

Legal Tools

Growth companies face disputes, regulatory inquiries, and counterparty failures. Acting early affects outcomes. We deploy these tools strategically:

Contract Enforcement: Compel performance or recover damages when vendors, customers, or partners breach. Massachusetts allows six years for most contract claims; UCC claims expire in four.
Trade Secret Protection: Departing employees and competitors misappropriate proprietary information. We obtain injunctions to halt disclosure and pursue damages for violations.
Regulatory Defense: FDA warning letters, SEC inquiries, and state AG investigations demand informed responses. We manage regulatory interactions to resolve matters before formal enforcement.
Fiduciary Claims: Officers and directors owe strict duties. Self-dealing, minority oppression, and oversight failures trigger claims for damages, disgorgement, and injunctive relief.
Chapter 93A Claims: Massachusetts law allows companies to pursue unfair business practices with double or treble damages plus attorneys' fees. This leverage often forces favorable settlements.
Dispute Resolution: Forum selection, arbitration clauses, and mediation provisions determine your options when conflicts arise. We negotiate these terms before disputes develop.

How We Can Help

Outside General Counsel

Monthly retainer relationships providing strategic oversight, board support, and senior judgment for companies not ready to hire in-house. We become your legal department at a fraction of the cost.

FDA & Healthcare Regulatory

Regulatory strategy for digital health platforms, AI/ML medical devices, physician practices, and life sciences companies. 510(k) pathway guidance, SaMD classification, clinical decision support analysis, and state licensing.

AI Governance & Emerging Technology

Algorithmic liability frameworks, AI ethics policies, EU AI Act compliance, and regulatory positioning for technology companies deploying machine learning systems.

Data Privacy & Cybersecurity

WISP development under 201 CMR 17.00, HIPAA compliance, breach response, and security program design. Massachusetts imposes strict requirements; we build programs that satisfy regulators and survive incidents.

Growth Financing & Governance

Series A through C financings, investor negotiations, board governance, equity compensation, and cap table management. We represent founders, not VCs.

Commercial Contracts

Customer and vendor agreements, licensing, SaaS terms, partnership structures, and the commercial infrastructure that supports growth. We negotiate deals that protect your interests without killing transactions.

Founder & Shareholder Disputes

Control contests, fiduciary claims, minority oppression, and forced buyouts. We represent founders and shareholders in high-stakes governance disputes.

Executive Employment

C-suite offer letters, equity compensation packages, separation agreements, and non-compete negotiations. We advise executives on both hiring and departure.

Investigations & Crisis Response

Internal investigations, regulatory inquiries, and rapid-response litigation. When problems surface, we stabilize the situation and manage exposure.

Intellectual Property

Trade secret protection, IP due diligence for transactions, and enforcement strategy. We coordinate with patent counsel on portfolio matters.

M&A Support

Buy-side and sell-side due diligence, transaction negotiation, and regulatory analysis for acquisitions. Life sciences and healthcare deals require specialized diligence.

Commercial Disputes & Litigation

Contract enforcement, business torts, and Chapter 93A claims in Massachusetts state and federal court. We litigate when negotiation fails.

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