What Is a Fractional General Counsel?
A fractional general counsel (fractional GC) is an experienced business attorney who serves as your company’s in-house general counsel on a part-time, subscription, or retainer basis — providing the strategic legal leadership of a full-time GC without the $250,000+ salary that comes with it.
The fractional model gives Illinois startups and growing small businesses access to senior legal judgment — someone who knows your business, your contracts, your investors, and your risk profile — for a fraction of what it costs to hire in-house.
What a Fractional GC Does vs. Outside Counsel
| Fractional GC | Traditional Outside Counsel | |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship | Ongoing, integrated, knows your business | Matter-by-matter, learns your business each time |
| Billing | Flat monthly fee or subscription | Hourly ($300–$800/hr for Chicago firms) |
| Strategic input | Yes — proactive legal advice | Reactive — advises when asked |
| Vendor/contract management | Yes | Limited to specific engagements |
| Board interaction | Yes, when needed | Typically no |
| Cost | $500–$2,000/month (typical range) | $5,000–$50,000+/matter |
What a Fractional GC Typically Handles
- Contract review and negotiation — vendor MSAs, customer agreements, NDAs, software licenses
- Employment law — offer letters, employee agreements, handbook policies, termination guidance
- Fundraising support — SAFE review, convertible note terms, Series A due diligence preparation
- IP management — trademark filings, IP assignment agreements, licensing strategy
- Corporate governance — board resolutions, equity grants, operating agreement updates
- Compliance — industry regulations, data privacy, registered agent maintenance
- Risk management — identifying legal exposure before it becomes litigation
When Does an Illinois Startup Need a Fractional GC?
The right time to move beyond ad hoc legal help — hiring a lawyer only when something breaks — is earlier than most founders think. Signs you’re ready for fractional GC support:
- You’re signing customer contracts worth $50,000+ without legal review
- You have employees and no written employment agreements or handbook
- You’re preparing for a fundraising round
- You’re spending more than $1,000/month on reactive legal work
- You’ve had a dispute, lawsuit, or regulatory inquiry
- You’re in a regulated industry (healthtech, fintech, SaaS handling personal data)
When You Still Need Specialized Outside Counsel
A fractional GC handles ongoing legal operations — but isn’t a substitute for specialized expertise in high-stakes situations. You’ll still need dedicated outside counsel for:
- Active litigation in state or federal court
- Patent prosecution (requires patent bar admission)
- Major M&A transactions
- SEC enforcement matters or securities offerings
- Complex real estate transactions
A good fractional GC knows when to bring in specialists — and manages that process on your behalf.
Fitter Law as Your Fractional GC
Fitter Law’s subscription model is built around the fractional GC concept. Our General Counsel subscription gives Illinois startups unlimited attorney consultations, unlimited document reviews, contract customization, proactive legal protection, and registered agent service — all for a flat monthly fee. See our practice areas and compare our plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a fractional GC the same as outside counsel?
Functionally, a fractional GC serves more like an in-house attorney — proactively involved in the business, attending meetings, managing relationships — while being employed on a part-time or subscription basis rather than full-time. Traditional outside counsel is typically retained for specific matters and billed hourly.
How much does fractional general counsel cost for an Illinois startup?
Costs vary widely by provider and scope. Boutique fractional GC arrangements typically run $500–$3,000/month depending on time commitment. Subscription law firms like Fitter Law offer comparable access at the lower end of that range. Compare that to a full-time GC at $200,000–$350,000/year in total compensation.
At what stage should a startup hire a full-time GC instead of fractional?
Most startups transition from fractional to full-time GC between Series B and Series C — when legal volume, complexity, and velocity justify a full-time hire. Before that point, fractional coverage provides all the strategic value at a fraction of the cost.