Fractional counsel
GAWEL Legal provides part-time legal counsel to life-sciences and technology companies on a days-per-month retainer.
How fractional counsel works
Fractional counsel works with a business on a part-time retainer, either as general counsel or on agreed areas of law.
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Advice to management
Advice to the board and management, informed by the business and its objectives
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Working with the team
Direct contact through agreed channels, with participation in management meetings and planning
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Part-time arrangement
Senior legal support on a part-time basis. The commitment can be adjusted by agreement as business needs change.
The retainer
The retainer sets the time commitment, scope and term.
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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 carry into the following month.
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Changes in scope
The number of days can be changed by agreement, for example during transactions or periods of regulatory work.
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Term
Quarterly or annual commitments with renewal options, allowing counsel to become familiar with the business
Billing
Days-per-month retainer
Retainers usually run at about two days a month, one day a week or two days a week. Each starts with a fixed-fee onboarding: a review of the regulatory position and a plan for the first 90 days.
Work the retainer can cover
The scope can include advice to management and day-to-day legal work.
Advice and transactions
Commercial contract review and negotiation, regulatory strategy, governance support, and licensing, co-development, supply and distribution transactions
Day-to-day legal work
Template library development, vendor agreements, data protection frameworks and external counsel coordination
Board support
Board and committee preparation and minutes, and governance documentation
Compliance
Regulatory compliance frameworks, policy development, compliance training coordination and audit support
Employment and labor law fall outside the practice and are referred to specialist counsel.
When this may suit
The arrangement may suit companies with recurring legal needs that do not require a full-time role.
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Regional legal support
Companies needing legal support in Switzerland and the EU without establishing a local legal function
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Companies between general counsel
Organizations seeking continuity during executive transitions or building toward a full-time hire
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Series A–C companies
Growing legal needs before appointing a full-time senior lawyer
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Scaling operations
Entering new markets, launching products, or navigating regulatory approvals
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Smaller management teams
Needing legal advice without creating a permanent position
When another arrangement may fit
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 the primary legal need
Starting an engagement
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Initial conversation
A call to understand the current situation, legal needs, and objectives
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Onboarding
Access setup, stakeholder introductions and agreement on the initial legal priorities