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General counsel services

Every successful business needs reliable legal guidance — but not every company can justify hiring a full-time, in-house attorney. At Giles Law, our outside general counsel services provide businesses of all sizes with ongoing, proactive legal support. We act as a trusted partner who understands your operations, culture, and goals, so you always have experienced counsel ready when legal issues arise.

With more than 50 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys bring both litigation strength and business insight to the table. That means we don’t just draft documents or flag risks — we also anticipate how issues could play out in a dispute or courtroom. This dual perspective allows us to protect your business while keeping it positioned for growth.

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Why Businesses Choose Outside General Counsel

Hiring Giles Law as outside general counsel gives you:

  • Cost efficiency – Regular legal support without the expense of a full-time, in-house attorney
  • On-demand availability – A team you can call whenever issues arise
  • Industry perspective – We represent clients across many sectors, giving us insight into best practices
  • Risk prevention – Proactive advice that reduces the likelihood of costly disputes

Our general counsel clients benefit from a relationship where we learn the ins and outs of their business. This familiarity allows us to provide advice that is not only legally sound but also tailored to the realities of your industry.

Our General Counsel Services

Compliance & Risk Management
We help businesses stay compliant with federal, state, and local regulations. From employment laws to industry-specific rules, we guide companies in developing policies and practices that reduce risk and avoid penalties.

Contract Drafting, Review & Negotiation
Contracts form the backbone of business operations. Our attorneys draft, review, and negotiate contracts to ensure they protect your company’s interests while maintaining fair and enforceable terms. We handle vendor agreements, service contracts, licensing agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and more.

Corporate Governance
We advise boards, executives, and shareholders on governance issues. Our attorneys draft bylaws, policies, and meeting documentation, and we counsel fiduciaries on duties and compliance.

Business Transactions
Our team counsels businesses on day-to-day transactions as well as significant deals. This includes negotiating leases, reviewing franchise agreements, advising on vendor contracts, and providing counsel on mergers or expansions.

Litigation Preparedness
Because our attorneys are also litigators, we bring unique insight into risk assessment. We know how disputes start and how they escalate, so we help clients implement practices that minimize litigation exposure. If litigation does become necessary, we are already familiar with the client’s operations and can represent them seamlessly.

Flexible Engagement Models

We recognize that businesses have different needs and budgets. That’s why our general counsel services are offered on a flexible basis:

  • Monthly retainer packages with a set number of hours included
  • On-demand hourly services for businesses needing less frequent support
  • Hybrid arrangements where we provide ongoing oversight plus litigation services as needed

Each engagement is customized to fit the size, industry, and goals of the business.

Business Counsel Memberships

Legal issues don’t follow a schedule. Neither should your access to trusted counsel. Consider a Business Counsel Membership for legal guidance that protects what you’ve built and prepares you for what’s next. Please complete the brief form below to tell us more about your business. We will be in touch with more information about what a membership can do for your business.

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The Giles Law Difference

What sets Giles Law apart is our combination of proactive advice and litigation experience. Many firms provide only transactional counsel, but we know how agreements and decisions hold up under courtroom scrutiny. That makes our advice more practical, strategic, and protective of your business.

We also pride ourselves on responsiveness and relationship-building. Our general counsel clients view us as an extension of their team, available whenever they need trusted advice.

General Counsel Services FAQs

What is outside general counsel, and how is it different from a law firm on retainer?

Outside General Counsel services provide businesses with ongoing legal advice and strategic guidance from an external law firm rather than employing a full-time, in-house attorney. Depending on the needs of the business, outside counsel may review contracts, advise on compliance and governance matters, participate in management discussions, assist with business transactions, and provide guidance on day-to-day legal issues. While some businesses engage law firms only for individual legal matters as they arise, an Outside General Counsel relationship is typically designed to provide greater continuity, familiarity with the business, and proactive legal support over time.

What size company benefits most from outside general counsel?

Outside General Counsel services are commonly utilized by startups, small businesses, growing companies, family-owned businesses, franchisors, franchisees, and other organizations that regularly encounter legal issues but may not require or wish to maintain a full-time in-house legal department. Some larger organizations also engage outside counsel to supplement internal legal resources or provide guidance in specific practice areas. The appropriate arrangement depends on the company's size, operations, industry, and legal needs.

What does Giles Law's Outside General Counsel service include?

Giles Law's Outside General Counsel services are tailored to the needs of each client. Depending on the engagement, services may include contract drafting, review and negotiation, corporate governance guidance, business formation and organizational matters, compliance and risk management, commercial transactions, employment-related guidance, lease and franchise matters, litigation preparedness, and general business counseling. Because our attorneys also represent clients in litigation, we are able to provide practical insight regarding how business decisions and contractual provisions may be evaluated if disputes arise.

How is Outside General Counsel billed?

Giles Law offers flexible engagement structures for Outside General Counsel clients. Depending on the needs of the business, arrangements may include monthly subscription or retainer plans, hourly representation, or customized hybrid engagements. Fee arrangements are discussed with each client at the outset of the representation so that expectations regarding services and billing are clearly understood.

Can Outside General Counsel help reduce the risk of litigation?

One of the primary objectives of ongoing legal counsel is to help businesses identify and address legal issues before they develop into more significant disputes. Depending on the circumstances, Outside General Counsel may assist with contract review, governance matters, regulatory compliance, policy development, and strategic business decisions that help reduce legal risk. Although no attorney can prevent every dispute or lawsuit, proactive legal guidance often allows businesses to identify potential issues earlier and make more informed decisions.

What is the advantage of choosing Outside General Counsel who also litigates?

Attorneys who regularly handle both business counseling and litigation often bring valuable practical experience to ongoing legal advice. In addition to helping clients structure transactions and manage legal risk, litigators understand how contractual provisions, governance decisions, and business practices may be examined if a dispute later arises. If litigation becomes necessary, an attorney who is already familiar with the client's business and legal objectives may be able to provide continuity throughout the representation, subject to the nature of the dispute and any applicable ethical considerations.

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