Fractional General Counsel
Dedicated, senior legal counsel for your growing Canadian business. Get the strategic guidance of a general counsel on contracts, M&A, IP, and corporate governance at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. Predictable monthly pricing, no billable-hour surprises.
Cost-Effective, Scalable Legal Solutions
Skip the hefty costs of a full-time Chief Legal Officer. With fractional legal services, you pay for exactly what you need—no more, no less. Scale your legal support as your business grows with predictable monthly fixed costs.
High-Level Expertise Without the Overhead
Gain direct access to an attorney experienced in:
Aligned with Your Vision
A fractional Chief Legal Officer works as an extension of your team—deeply understanding your culture, goals, and processes. Get bespoke advice tailored to your specific business needs.
Fast, Flexible, and Reliable
Handle immediate legal challenges with agility. Whether it’s negotiating a key contract or advising your leadership team, fractional counsel delivers actionable solutions—right when you need them.
What Is a Fractional General Counsel?
A fractional general counsel is a senior lawyer who serves as your company’s dedicated legal advisor on a part-time or retainer basis. Unlike a full-time in-house general counsel, a fractional GC gives you access to the same caliber of strategic legal leadership at a fraction of the cost.
For Canadian startups and growing businesses, hiring a full-time general counsel can cost upwards of $200,000 to $350,000 per year in salary alone. A fractional general counsel from Onley Law provides the same expertise through predictable, fixed monthly fees, typically saving businesses 60-70% compared to a full-time hire.
As your fractional general counsel, Robert Onley, J.D. works as an embedded member of your leadership team, attending board meetings, reviewing contracts before they are signed, advising on M&A transactions, and ensuring your corporate governance stays compliant with Ontario and federal law.
How Our Fractional General Counsel Service Works
1. Discovery Call: We start with a free 15-minute consultation to understand your business, your industry, and your current legal needs.
2. Tailored Retainer: Based on your needs, we create a fixed monthly retainer. You know exactly what you are paying each month. No billable-hour surprises.
3. Embedded Legal Support: Robert Onley becomes part of your team. He attends leadership meetings, reviews contracts proactively, flags risks before they become problems.
4. Scalable as You Grow: As your business evolves, your legal needs will too. We scale the engagement up or down as needed.
What Your Fractional General Counsel Handles
Contract Drafting and Review: NDAs, service agreements, SaaS contracts, licensing deals – we draft, review, and negotiate your contracts to protect your interests.
Mergers and Acquisitions: Due diligence, deal structuring, share purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, and closing documentation.
Corporate Governance: Annual resolutions, board minutes, director obligations, shareholder disputes, and regulatory filings.
Intellectual Property Strategy: Trademark registration, IP assignment agreements, trade secret protection, and licensing.
Employment and HR Matters: Employment agreements, contractor agreements, workplace policies, and termination packages.
Regulatory Compliance: Privacy law (PIPEDA), corporate annual returns, industry-specific compliance, and cross-border considerations.
Who Benefits from a Fractional General Counsel?
Tech Startups and SaaS Companies: You are signing customer contracts, negotiating vendor agreements, managing IP assets, and raising capital. Robert Onley is also the founder of NotaryPro Technologies Inc., so he understands the intersection of tech and law from direct experience.
Growing Small and Medium Businesses: Revenue is growing, you are hiring, and contracts are getting more complex. You need consistent, proactive legal guidance.
Companies Preparing for M&A: Whether you are positioning for sale, exploring acquisitions, or negotiating a partnership, a fractional GC ensures you are legally prepared.
Businesses with Board Governance Requirements: If you have investors or shareholders expecting proper corporate governance, a fractional GC keeps your resolutions, minutes, and filings current.
Fractional General Counsel vs. Full-Time vs. Traditional Law Firm
Full-Time General Counsel: Total annual cost typically $200,000 to $400,000+. Makes sense for large companies with constant legal needs, but overkill for most startups and SMEs.
Traditional Law Firm (Hourly): Access to specialists at $400-$800+ per hour. Costs unpredictable, and the firm does not know your business deeply. Best for one-off transactions or litigation.
Fractional General Counsel (Onley Law): The best of both worlds. A senior lawyer who deeply understands your business at a predictable fixed monthly cost, typically 60-70% less than a full-time hire. Ideal for startups, growing SMEs, and tech companies.
Industries We Serve as Fractional General Counsel
Technology and Software (SaaS): SaaS subscription agreements, API terms, data processing agreements, open-source licensing, and technology licensing.
Professional Services: Consulting agreements, partnership structures, non-compete provisions, and professional liability considerations.
E-Commerce and Retail: Terms of service, return policies, supplier agreements, franchise agreements, and consumer protection compliance.
Real Estate and Construction: Joint venture agreements, development agreements, construction contracts, and commercial leases.
Healthcare and Life Sciences: Privacy compliance (PHIPA, PIPEDA), vendor agreements for health tech, and regulatory submissions.
Why Choose Onley Law as Your Fractional General Counsel?
Entrepreneurial Perspective: Robert Onley is a serial entrepreneur who founded NotaryPro Technologies Inc. He understands the pressures founders face because he lives them too. Legal advice that is commercially practical, not just technically correct.
Tech-Savvy Legal Practice: We use modern tools and AI-assisted workflows to deliver legal services more efficiently. Our tech fluency means we understand your SaaS contracts, API terms, and data privacy obligations at a deeper level.
Transparent, Fixed Pricing: Our fixed monthly retainer model means you can ask questions, send contracts for review, and seek advice without watching the clock.
Nationwide Service: While based in Oshawa, Ontario, we serve clients across Canada. Corporate and commercial legal work is not constrained by geography.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fractional General Counsel
How much does a fractional general counsel cost in Canada?
Fractional general counsel fees vary based on the scope of engagement, but most Canadian businesses can expect to pay between $3,000 and $10,000 per month on a fixed retainer. This is typically 60-70% less than the total cost of a full-time in-house general counsel.
What is the difference between a fractional GC and an outside law firm?
A fractional general counsel is embedded in your business. They attend your meetings, understand your products, and think about your legal risks proactively. An outside law firm is reactive: you call them when you have a problem, they bill you by the hour.
When should a startup hire a fractional general counsel?
Most startups benefit from fractional GC support once they start signing contracts with customers, raising capital, or hiring employees.
Do you work with businesses outside Ontario?
Yes. While Onley Law is based in Oshawa, Ontario, we serve clients across Canada. For province-specific matters, we partner with local counsel as needed.
Can a fractional GC handle M&A transactions?
Absolutely. Robert Onley has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions for small and mid-market businesses, from due diligence through closing.
How is this different from hiring a lawyer on retainer?
A traditional retainer reserves a block of hours. A fractional general counsel relationship is deeper: we limit our client roster so we can provide attentive, proactive legal leadership. We anticipate issues before they arise.
Ready to Get Started?
Book a free 15-minute consultation with Robert Onley to discuss whether fractional general counsel is the right fit for your business. Call (905) 215-2156 or book online.