Interim Legal Leadership
External counsel with in-house integration capability. Embedded in the team, not the headcount.
The Model
Fractional counsel is a senior attorney embedded within an organization on a part-time, retained basis, serving either as general counsel or as specialized senior counsel for defined practice areas.
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Strategic Leadership
Board-level judgment and institutional knowledge. Legal strategy aligned with business objectives.
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Embedded Access
Direct communication via preferred channels. Participation in leadership meetings and strategic planning.
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Cost Efficiency
Senior legal capability at a fraction of full-time cost. Engagement scales with business activity.
Structure
Flexible arrangements that adapt to organizational needs. Predictable budgeting with room to scale.
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Monthly Retainer
A fixed number of days per month, typically 2–8 depending on business needs. Each day corresponds to 9 hours. Unused days can roll forward.
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Scope Flexibility
Engagement adjusts with activity. Days increase during transactions or regulatory sprints; reduce again during quieter periods.
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Term Commitment
Quarterly or annual commitments with renewal options. Sufficient runway to build institutional knowledge.
Billing: Days-per-month retainer
from CHF 7,500 / month
Embedded (about 2 days / month) from CHF 7,500; Integrated (about 1 day / week) CHF 12,500; Fractional Lead (about 2 days / week) CHF 22,000. A fixed-fee onboarding (Regulatory Health Check and 90-day roadmap) is CHF 9,500.
Indicative starting prices, net and exclusive of Swiss MWST (VAT) where applicable; final fee per written engagement letter.
Typical Scope
Strategic oversight and operational legal support tailored to the organization's needs.
Strategic Advisory
Commercial contract review and negotiation, regulatory strategy, corporate governance, and transaction support.
Operational Legal
Template library development, vendor agreements, data protection frameworks, external counsel coordination.
Board Support
Board and committee preparation and minutes, governance documentation, shareholder matters.
Compliance
Regulatory compliance frameworks, policy development, compliance training coordination, audit support.
Employment and labour law fall outside the practice and are referred to specialist counsel.
Fit Assessment
Fractional counsel works best in specific organizational contexts. Consider whether the model aligns with the organization's situation.
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Regional Coverage Needs
Companies requiring legal presence in Switzerland, Germany, or Austria without establishing a local function.
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Companies Between GCs
Organizations seeking continuity during executive transitions or building toward a full-time hire.
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Series A–C Companies
Growing legal complexity but not yet ready for, or able to attract, a full-time senior hire.
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Scaling Operations
Entering new markets, launching products, or navigating regulatory approvals.
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Lean Leadership Teams
Requiring strategic legal input without adding permanent headcount.
Less Suited For
Some situations call for different engagement models.
- Pre-seed or early-stage startups, where project-based engagement is typically more efficient
- Organizations requiring daily on-site presence
- Active litigation as primary legal need
Getting Started
A clear path from initial conversation to operational engagement.
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Initial Conversation
A call to understand the current situation, legal needs, and objectives.
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Scope Proposal
Written proposal outlining recommended engagement structure, scope, and fee arrangement.
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Engagement Letter
Clear terms, no surprises. Retainer begins upon signature.
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Onboarding
Access setup, stakeholder introductions, priority matter triage. Operational within days.