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If you’re running a business, you’ve probably wondered: can a virtual general counsel really be as productive as someone sitting in your office? It’s a fair question. After all, legal issues often feel urgent, and having someone physically nearby can be reassuring. But here’s the truth—working with a fractional general counsel on a virtual basis is highly productive – sometimes even better than having an in-house legal team.
Here, we’ll tackle this misconception and explore how virtual collaboration can deliver results that might surprise you.
When you work with a fractional general counsel, you’re tapping into a setup that’s built for efficiency. Virtual meetings save time—plain and simple. There’s no commuting to conference rooms or waiting around for people to arrive. Everyone logs in, gets straight to business, and stays at their desks when the meeting ends. That means less downtime and more action after the meeting has ended.
Virtual collaboration is also incredibly flexible. Scheduling is easier, and stakeholders can jump into a meeting from anywhere. Key decision-makers stay in the loop, whether at home, in another office, or even traveling. This flexibility ensures things move forward without the usual logistical roadblocks.
And let’s not forget the structure of online interactions. Virtual meetings are often more streamlined than in-person ones. If managed properly, they tend to start and end on time, avoiding the long-winded conversations that derail focus. With clear agendas and the right tools, online collaboration keeps everyone aligned and focused on what really matters.
Want to get the most out of working with your fractional general counsel? It all starts with how you handle virtual meetings. These best practices will help you maximize productivity and ensure you’re always on the same page.
An agenda is your plan for the meeting. You can’t just expect to hop on a call and have all your problems solved. Before you set up the meeting, jot down the topics you want to cover, set clear objectives, and decide how much time you’ll spend on each item. Share this with your legal counsel ahead of time. It helps avoid the classic “could have been said in an email” schpiel so you don’t waste participants’ time.
Planning keeps the meeting focused. There is no more wandering off-topic or spending too much time on minor details. Instead, everyone knows what to expect and can come prepared, making the session more productive.
Tools like Google Docs, Notion, or Microsoft Teams help keep track of notes and meeting outcomes. During virtual meetings, these tools let everyone contribute in real time. Your virtual general counsel can review shared documents, make edits, or keep track of action items.
It’s easy for some voices to dominate virtual meetings, but your legal counsel needs input from everyone to provide the best advice. Encourage participation by using chat functions or directly inviting quieter team members to speak up. Anyone can have opinions or pieces of information that may contribute to meetings.
When everyone’s engaged, your virtual general counsel can address issues more effectively because they’re hearing all the perspectives that matter.
We’ve all been in virtual meetings where someone forgets to mute their mic or has a barking dog in the background. Set some basic ground rules to avoid distractions: join from a quiet space, use video when possible, and stay muted unless speaking. Video is especially important because it allows your legal counsel to read non-verbal cues as they would in person.
Professionalism ensures that your meetings run smoothly, allowing everyone to focus on solving problems and taking action.
Once the meeting is over, don’t let things hang in the air. Send a follow-up email summarizing what was discussed, the decisions made, and who’s responsible for the next steps. This recap reinforces accountability and helps your fractional general counsel stay aligned with your team moving forward.
Some businesses worry that virtual legal counsel professionals won’t be as available or responsive as an in-house legal team. But here’s the thing: experienced fractional general counsels are experts at working remotely. They’re just a quick video call or email away, and their schedules often allow for more flexibility than a full-time employee tied to a desk.
For situations where in-person presence is absolutely necessary—like signing documents or attending sensitive meetings—your fractional general counsel can come into the office. However, the majority of legal work, from reviewing contracts to advising on compliance, can be done just as effectively online. In fact, handling these tasks virtually often speeds up the process because it eliminates logistical delays.
At the end of the day, the success of working with a virtual general counsel, as with any contractor, comes down to communication, organization, and the expertise of the professional you hire. Virtual legal professionals have the skills and experience to manage your legal matters, whether drafting contracts, navigating compliance issues, or protecting intellectual property.
By embracing best practices for virtual collaboration, you can unlock the full potential of fractional general counsel services. You will save time and money and gain access to a flexible, responsive legal partner who’s invested in your business’s success.
Uncommon Counsel specializes in providing expert fractional general counsel services to startups, tech companies, and entrepreneurs. Whether you need help with contracts, data privacy, or compliance, we deliver results that exceed expectations—virtually or in person when necessary.
Want to learn more about how virtual legal counsel can work for your business? Contact Uncommon Counsel today and let’s make it happen!
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