Affordable Legal Protection for Growing Businesses
Fractional General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer Services
Starting as low as $850/month, designed for revenue-generating businesses that need consistent legal strategy and compliance oversight without the cost of a full-time hire.
At StartSmart Counsel, we act as your in-house legal partner — managing risk, overseeing compliance, and supporting your strategic growth goals every month. You’ll have direct access to experienced counsel who understands your business, your industry, and your vision for scaling.
“As your business grows, legal and compliance risks grow too. The right counsel doesn’t just protect you from problems, it helps you scale strategically, confidently, and in full compliance. Our Fractional General Counsel model gives you the legal support of a full-time attorney, at a fraction of the cost.”
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What’s Included in Your Fractional GC Service
Your Personal Attorney Who Understands Your Business — And That You Can Call On For:
✓ Contract Drafting & Review
✓ Compliance Checkups
✓ Risk & Legal Exposure Assessments
✓ Employment & HR Matters
✓ Intellectual Property Protections (Copyrights, Trademarks, NDAs)
✓ Incorporation & Entity Structuring
✓ Policy & Procedure Development
✓ Investment & Fundraising Documentation
✓ On-Demand Legal Strategy Sessions
✓ Website Terms of Use & Privacy Policies
✓ Client, Vendor & Partnership Agreements -
Who This is For
✓ You’re generating consistent revenue and expanding operations.
✓ You need ongoing, strategic legal oversight without hiring full-time.
✓ You manage employees, contracts, or investors across multiple areas.
✓ You want predictable monthly legal costs and a dedicated point of contact.
✓ You value proactive legal guidance that helps prevent issues before they arise.
How Our Fractional GC Model Works
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Step 1: Free Initial Consultation
We start with a 15-minute discovery call to learn about your business, your current legal needs, and whether the Fractional model is the right fit. You’ll get clarity on how we work, what’s included, and what support makes the most sense for your stage.
15-Minute Discovery Call
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Step 2: Customized Plan & One-Time Onboarding
After your consultation, we’ll design a plan tailored to your needs, from contract management to compliance oversight. You’ll receive a clear proposal outlining the monthly retainer, services covered, and communication expectations.
Starting at $850/month (no long-term contracts required)
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Step 3: Dedicated Monthly Legal Support
You’ll be paired with your own attorney and have ongoing access via our secure client portal.
We schedule monthly strategy sessions, monitor compliance deadlines, and provide on-demand legal review and advice as issues arise.
Consistent, reliable legal partnership that scales with your business.
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Step 4: Transparent Reporting
Every month, you’ll receive a summary of completed work, upcoming priorities, and available hours, so you always know where things stand. No surprises, no hidden fees.
Why Founders Choose StartSmart Counsel
“I had my first virtual meeting with StartSmart Counsel and it was such a great experience. They were not only professional but also super friendly and easy to talk to. I felt heard, understood, and never rushed. They explained things in a way that made sense and made me feel more confident about my next steps. It’s clear they really care about their clients. I’m looking forward to continuing the process with them and would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for genuine, knowledgeable support.”
“We worked with Jennifer on reviewing one of our supplier’s contract. Jennifer was a pleasure to work with! She was very knowledgeable, professional, and the project was completed on time and on budget. I would highly recommend using StartSmart Counsel!”
Pricing Designed for Growth
Monthly Retainer: Starting at $850/month
Includes up to 10 hours of dedicated legal support, monthly strategy sessions, and priority scheduling.
Additional Hours: Billed at discounted hourly rate. Hours can be scaled up as your business needs evolve.
No long-term commitment. You can pause or adjust your plan at any time.
Pricing Designed for Growing Businesses
Why Clients Choose This Model:
Cost Efficiency: High-quality legal services at a fraction of the cost of hiring full-time counsel.
Flexibility: Scale support up or down as needed — unused hours roll over.
Expertise: Dedicated, experienced attorneys who understand startups and growing businesses.
No Long-Term Contracts: Cancel anytime without penalties.
FAQs
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This plan is for businesses with ongoing legal needs that require consistent access and strategic counsel, not just one-off projects.
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Yes. We tailor every retainer to your business — you only pay for what you need.
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Yes, up to one month of unused hours can roll over to the next billing cycle.
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Absolutely. As your business grows, we can adjust your plan accordingly.
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Yes. There’s no long-term commitment required. You can pause services at any time.
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We work with startups, small businesses, founders, and growing companies across industries — including tech, ecommerce, wellness, creative services, nonprofits, and regulated sectors like financial services and health. Whether you’re raising funds, building your team, or scaling operations, we tailor legal solutions to your specific stage and goals.
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Yes. While our Fractional GC service covers a wide range of general legal and compliance matters, there are a few services that fall outside the scope of this model.
Services that are not included:
❌ Litigation or court representation
❌ Immigration filings or proceedings
❌ Tax return preparation or CPA services (though we collaborate with tax professionals)
❌ Patent prosecution or advanced intellectual property filings (e.g., utility patents)
❌ Securities registration filings with the SEC or FINRA (Reg D, Reg A+, etc.) unless separately scoped
❌ Complex mergers & acquisitions or buyouts (unless separately agreed upon)
These services may require separate engagement, flat fees, or hourly billing at a different rate due to their complexity or regulatory requirements.
That said, if you’re unsure whether something is covered, you can always submit a request in your client portal. We’ll review it and provide an estimate or refer you if needed.tem description