Outside General Counsel Services for Texas Businesses

Ongoing Legal Counsel From a Law Firm That Knows Your Business

Few businesses can afford a full-time general counsel, but that doesn’t mean yours should go without. We can fill that role for you on a fractional or outsourced basis through every stage of your company’s growth.

Our experienced attorneys provide vital support for nearly every aspect of your operations, from the earliest stages of business formation to contract negotiations and compliance. We also help you spot potential liabilities and exposures that could lead to disputes or litigation if they aren’t properly addressed.

On This Page:

• Why Retain an Outside General Counsel?
• Our Outside General Counsel Services 
• What Types of Businesses Benefit From Outside General Counsel Services?
• We Provide General Counsel Services for a Range of Industries
• The Resources You Need When You Need Them
• Personalized General Counsel Services for Your Business
• How Hendershot Cowart P.C. General Counsel Services Can Help Your Business

If you’re looking for general counsel services for your Texas business, call (713) 783-3110 today.

Outside general counsel, fractional general counsel, and outsourced general counsel all describe the same service model: your business retains an attorney or firm as its primary ongoing legal advisor without hiring full-time in-house counsel. The fractional general counsel arrangement gives businesses access to experienced legal guidance on a part-time or as-needed basis, with cost structures that fit a business budget rather than a full-time executive salary. For Houston and Texas businesses that face recurring legal questions but can’t justify a salaried in-house attorney, this model provides the full range of legal support without the overhead.

Outside general counsel can review business decisions and advise on potential risks or consequences before they become problems. A well-run business with a sound legal foundation is less likely to encounter litigation. If you are faced with a dispute or litigation, however, clear and enforceable agreements and strong record-keeping can support a faster, more favorable outcome.

Hendershot Cowart P.C. has been advising business owners, executives, and shareholders since 1987. Our general counsel clients know they can call us for immediate guidance on any business legal matter.

By forming an ongoing relationship, we get to know your operations and your industry. We don’t waste time “getting up to speed”; instead, we build an in-depth understanding of your organization that we can apply quickly to any legal issue that arises.

Legal matters rarely fall into a single discipline. Our clients benefit from having a team of attorneys available to advise on a range of issues, from transactional matters and contract reviews to breach of contract claims and partnership disputes.

Choosing the right outside general counsel relationship is as important as deciding to retain one. Learn more in 8 Things to Look for When Selecting Outside General Counsel.

Outside general counsel services encompass a wide range of legal matters that affect businesses of all sizes, from small businesses and closely held entities to large, publicly traded corporations. Whether you have one employee or hundreds, ongoing general counsel services can be integral to both maintaining and growing your business.

Our fractional general counsel and outsourced general counsel services include:

• Providing legal advice and guidance on a variety of business matters, such as contracts, employment law, corporate governance, and intellectual property.
• Drafting and reviewing legal documents, including contracts, policies, and other business agreements.
• Performing due diligence and negotiating the terms of asset or equity purchases.
• Guiding business formation and structuring entities.
• Enforcing contracts and agreements, including non-compete and non-solicitation agreements.
• Representing the company in legal proceedings, including lawsuits, regulatory investigations, and arbitration or mediation.
• Working closely with company executives to identify and mitigate legal risks.
• Providing guidance on compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Conducting internal investigations and audits to assess legal and regulatory risks, such as OSHA or HIPAA violations.
• Protecting intellectual property and trade secrets against misappropriation.
• Serving as a strategic advisor to the company’s leadership team.

Any business that can’t accommodate an in-house legal team can benefit from a relationship with outside general counsel. Working with ongoing business legal counsel ensures your company has access to a knowledgeable attorney who can step in as needed to address emerging issues.

Fractional general counsel arrangements deliver the most value when legal questions are recurring and the business has enough contractual and operational activity to benefit from an attorney who already knows its structure, agreements, and risk profile. Businesses preparing for growth, new hires, more complex contracts, or outside investment are also strong candidates for this model.

Most small to mid-sized businesses can benefit from partnering with outside general counsel, including:

• Closely held businesses
• Small businesses
• Corporations
• Family businesses
• Entrepreneurs
• Partnerships
• Startups

Our outsourced general counsel services extend across a broad range of Texas industries. Whether your business operates in a heavily regulated sector like healthcare or oil and gas, or a service-oriented field like hospitality or professional services, our attorneys bring sector-relevant knowledge to every engagement.

We serve clients in these industry sectors and beyond:

• Construction
• Food and Food Services
• Healthcare
• Hospitality
• Manufacturing
• Oil and Gas
• Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices
• Professional and Business Services
• Real Estate
• Retail
• Transportation
• Warehousing and Storage
• Waste Management
• Wholesalers

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of working with an outside general counsel.

Many entrepreneurs and mid-sized businesses can’t justify the cost of a full-time, in-house general counsel. As a result, they may feel they lack the legal resources they need for their business to thrive or may worry about their exposure to potential risks.

Working with an outside general counsel from a well-established law firm means your business can access the specific services you need when you need them, while staying mindful of your bottom line. This can be particularly beneficial for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the early stages of their business formation.

A fractional general counsel relationship also means you’re not dependent on a single attorney’s availability or area of knowledge. At Hendershot Cowart P.C., our multi-attorney bench spans transactional work, business litigation, healthcare law, and regulatory compliance, so when your legal question crosses practice lines, we’re ready without bringing in outside help.

One of the greatest benefits of partnering with outside general counsel is the long-term relationship you build with your attorney. An experienced general counsel not only brings a wealth of knowledge and insight, but also learns the ins and outs of your specific business. This continuity is integral to guiding your company through every stage of its evolution.

Instead of providing generic advice, a skilled attorney experienced in providing general counsel services can personalize guidance to fit your business’s specific needs. Developing this deeper relationship with your general counsel can save you time and money and help your business grow more efficiently.

Another important role of a general counsel is risk management. Hendershot Cowart P.C. has been litigating business disputes for more than 30 years. As a result, we can advise business owners and executives about risks and exposures they may not have considered. Don’t wait until a problem emerges and hope for the best. Work with outside general counsel to identify and assess potential risks before they develop into disputes.

General counsel services aren’t limited to proactive legal matters. A skilled business attorney can also protect and defend your interests in the event of litigation or disputes. Your general counsel will have intimate knowledge of your written agreements and business practices and can be ready to defend your interests, in and out of the courtroom.

The role of general counsel within a company is dynamic and requires flexibility and responsiveness to the company’s changing needs. With 150+ years of combined experience in business law, our law firm is known for its adaptive approach to general counsel services. We’re prepared to tailor our support as your business grows and evolves. At Hendershot Cowart P.C., we have the capacity to respond to the needs of your business without hesitation.

We’ve assisted thousands of clients across Texas, from Houston startups to established multi-location businesses, and many of our outsourced and fractional general counsel relationships span years because continuity is where the real value compounds. When we already know your contracts, your vendors, your regulators, and your risk profile, every new legal question can get a faster, better-informed answer.

To learn more about our general counsel services and how we can support your business, call our law firm at (713) 783-3110 or schedule a consultation online.