What Does It Mean to Have an Outside General Counsel?
A Practical Legal Partner for Growing Businesses
Many business owners assume that only large corporations can afford an in-house legal department. In reality, small and mid-sized companies often need ongoing legal guidance — just not full-time. The solution is an Outside General Counsel (OGC): a dedicated lawyer or firm who provides continuing legal support as an extension of your management team.
At Good Pine, we serve as Outside General Counsel to businesses in New York and New Jersey, helping clients navigate legal and operational challenges with confidence and foresight.
What an Outside General Counsel Does
An Outside General Counsel functions as your company’s long-term legal partner. Instead of hiring a new law firm for every issue, your business gains a consistent attorney who understands your history, contracts, and goals.
Our OGC services include:
Contract Review and Negotiation – drafting, revising, and negotiating commercial agreements with customers, vendors, and partners.
Employment and Compliance – advising on hiring, independent contractors, workplace policies, and regulatory obligations.
Corporate Governance – maintaining proper records, board minutes, and bylaws; ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.
Risk Management and Dispute Prevention – identifying and resolving issues before they escalate into litigation.
Strategic Planning – advising on growth, partnerships, and ownership transitions.
By maintaining an ongoing relationship, we help clients make proactive, informed decisions rather than reacting to legal problems after the fact.
The Benefits of Having Ongoing Counsel
Engaging an Outside General Counsel offers strategic and financial advantages:
Continuity: Your counsel develops a deep understanding of your business operations and risk profile.
Efficiency: Questions can be answered quickly without the delay of re-engagement or new onboarding.
Prevention: Routine legal checkups reduce the likelihood of disputes or regulatory missteps.
Scalability: You gain access to the same level of legal insight that large companies receive from in-house counsel—without the full-time expense.
This model is particularly valuable for companies in growth mode, entering new markets, or preparing for investment or sale.
When Disputes Arise
Even well-run businesses encounter disputes. Because Good Pine P.C. also maintains a strong business litigation practice, our OGC clients benefit from continuity if conflicts arise. The attorney who already knows your business and its contracts can efficiently defend or pursue claims on your behalf.
Good Pine’s Approach
We tailor our Outside General Counsel relationships to each client. Some prefer predictable monthly retainers; others engage us on an as-needed hourly basis. In either model, our focus is the same — providing steady, strategic legal guidance so our clients can run their businesses with clarity and confidence.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Businesses facing specific legal issues should consult qualified counsel regarding their individual circumstances.
