Rent In House Counsel for a Day: À La Carte Legal Services
Have you ever considered offering your services as in-house counsel à la carte? It's a burgeoning realm of the legal industry that caters to bright-eyed startups on shoestring budgets.
One such company, Daily General Counsel, launched recently, taking a foray into the next stage of GC life: on-demand in-house lawyering.
How it works: the attorneys swoop in to companies and provide legal services on an as-needed basis, playing the role of an in-house attorney for a day, resolving as many issues as they can in eight hours for a flat fee of $1,500, The Boston Globe reports.
In-House On Demand
Some legal issues, such as protracted legal disputes or lengthy contract negotiations, can't be waved away by the daily in-house attorney's wand.
But other problems can be fixed quickly. According to The Globe, "In a single day, a Daily GC attorney might be able to buff up flimsy contract language, formulate a plan for negotiating the terms of a lease, and ensure that human resources policies comply with applicable laws."
Demand Is There
Not too shabby, right? Clients seem pretty pleased with this new age of in-house services.
Adam Korngold, who owns Waves Car Wash in West Roxbury, was among the company's early clients. He and his startup business partner turned to Daily General Counsel for a partnership agreement (for themselves) and a sales contract (for their customers).
"I really liked that it was a fixed rate," Korngold told The Globe. "There was no looking for a quote, no uncertainty."
For cash-strapped businesses, $1,500 a day isn't cheap. But it's certainly a better deal compared to the billing rates of "regular" attorneys. If the role of an on-demand counsel can eliminate the need for hiring a regular attorney, hiring on-demand can add up to major savings. And they get a great moral compass, too.
"Everyone starts in their garage or kitchen with a passion," she said. "They love making their product or delivering their service. But they don't know what they don't know. They don't know how many rights they're giving away."
If you've fantasized about going into business on your own and serving hundreds of clients rather than just one, but you never thought it would be possible in the capacity of an in-house attorney, this might be right up your alley.
Related Resources:
- Schools Districts Call Their In House Counsels Almost Daily (FindLaw's In House)
- The Art of Networking for an In-House Counsel (FindLaw's In House)
- What Incorporation Structure Is Best for a Solo Practice? (FindLaw's Strategist)