​It is common knowledge that you should consult with a business lawyer when setting up your business and in the beginning the occasional simple consult is enough to manage your legal needs. As your business grows though you will most likely find yourself in the position to need legal expertise more frequently. Having a General Counsel on hand can be extremely valuable to your business and it is a good idea to set up this relationship sooner rather than later.
 
What is General Counsel?
 
General counsel refers to a business attorney who helps the company with a large range of business-related issues as they come up. Think of them like a contractor, they have an established working relationship with your company and are available when you need them without being an actual employee.
 
What Types of Issues can General Counsel Assist with?
 
First and foremost they are able available to immediately help get you sorted when urgent legal needs arise.
 
Some other areas that General Counsel may assist you with are:
■      Contracts
■      Business plans
■      Compliance issues
■      Due diligence
■      Employment law
■      Intellectual property protection
 
Peace of Mind
 
Often business owners search for an attorney after they run into a legal issue. This is not ideal though, as you will have to quickly develop a relationship with the lawyer and they will not be familiar with your business. This creates extra stress for everyone involved, but if a relationship with a General Counsel has already been established, the attorney can step in as necessary to provide feedback on emerging issues. This can help prevent small scale issues from escalating.
 
Interesting on learning more about establishing a General Counsel relationship for your business? Schedule an appointment to discuss this option with us today!