The Rise of Fractional General Counsel 

Key Insights 

• Fractional General Counsel delivers the expertise of a full-time GC.  

• They provide on-demand support with faster response times than outside firms.  

• Engaging a Fractional GC offers flexibility in both compensation and scope.  

• They help organizations lower legal spend while mitigating risk.  

• The hiring process mirrors that of a full-time GC but is often faster.  

Legal challenges for growing companies are more complex than ever. Whether navigating compliance, managing HR issues, preparing for fundraising, or IPO, or handling day-to-day contracts, businesses need proactive legal support. Traditionally, this meant either hiring a full-time General Counsel or outsourcing everything to an external law firm.  

But in today’s environment, where flexibility, speed, and cost-efficiency are top priorities, the Fractional General Counsel (FGC) model has emerged as a powerful alternative. Fractional General Counsel brings senior-level expertise to organizations on a part-time or project basis, providing all the benefits of a General Counsel without the overhead of a full-time hire.  

Advantages of Fractional General Counsel 

Companies engaging Fractional General Counsel quickly realize they are gaining more than legal support—they are building a cost-controlled, strategic legal function that scales with the business.  

1. Comparable expertise to full-time GC – Fractional GCs are typically seasoned attorneys with experience across industries. They can do nearly everything a full-time GC does: negotiate contracts, advise on compliance, manage risk, support HR functions, and provide board-level counsel.  
2. Faster turnaround than outside counsel – Relying solely on outside firms often leads to long delays and costly bills. Fractional GCs are embedded in your business, so they can respond quickly to urgent issues, reducing the cycle time between question and resolution.  
3. Flexibility in structure and cost – Unlike a full-time hire, a Fractional GC offers flexible engagement models—whether that’s part-time, project-based, or scaled hours as needed. This allows organizations to align legal costs with their current business stage.  
4. Risk mitigation and standardization – By being integrated into operations, Fractional GCs can proactively identify risks, standardize contracts and policies, and ensure consistency across the business. They don’t just fix problems; they help prevent them.  
5. Immediate cost savings – Perhaps the most compelling benefit: a Fractional GC can drastically reduce reliance on outside counsel. Moving much of the legal work in-house is cost-efficient, so companies often see near-immediate savings. 

When Should Companies Consider a Fractional General Counsel? 

While any business can benefit, there are clear signs that an organization may be ready for this model:  

• First-time in-house legal need: If your company is hiring its first dedicated legal resource, a Fractional GC allows you to “test drive” the function while building a scalable framework.  

• Growth stage or pre-IPO – High-growth companies often outsource too much, leading to ballooning legal bills. A Fractional GC can bring order and strategy to the process.  

• Delays with outside counsel – If your team is frustrated by long wait times and slow answers, having an embedded GC accelerates turnaround.  

• Pressures to reduce legal spend – Many companies simply can’t justify, or don’t need, the cost of a full-time GC. A fractional solution balances expertise with affordability

Same Standards, Faster Results 

One misconception is that hiring a Fractional General Counsel is easier or less rigorous. In reality, the process mirrors that of hiring a full-time GC: companies should still work with an experienced recruiter to vet for legal expertise, industry knowledge, and cultural fit.  

The difference lies in speed. Because many Fractional GC candidates are between engagements or winding down other roles, they can often start much sooner than a direct-hire candidate. For companies facing immediate legal challenges, that quick turnaround can be critical. 

The rise of Fractional General Counsel reflects a broader trend in today’s business landscape: the demand for flexible, cost-efficient, and strategic leadership. By offering the expertise of a full-time GC without the overhead, FGC’s empower companies to operate smarter, reduce risk, and scale sustainably.  

If you’re ready to explore how a Fractional GC can benefit your organization, connect with Stephanie Newman, Lateral Partner Recruiting & In-House Legal Search Practice Leader, today. She will guide you through the process and ensure you find the legal partner who can help your business thrive.