My In-House Counsel

Most legal problems become expensive because businesses wait too long to ask questions. My In-House Counsel subscriptions encourage being proactive instead of reactive. Instead of worrying about hourly billing every time you need guidance, you can reach out early, before signing a contract, hiring an employee, or making a strategic move. The result is fewer disputes, stronger agreements, and better protection for your business.

When designing the My In-House Counsel programs, I did not want to get bogged down in administrative work or nickel and diming clients. For this reason, I have kept things loose and don’t limit the time. In short, you be cool and I will be cool. I want you to have access to information quickly without the concern of an added cost.

There may be months when you require more attention and months when you don’t, but I think the pricing balances it out for both of us. I hate nickel and diming in my own dealings, so I won’t do it to you. I have better things to do than bill you and you have better things to do than worry about an unexpected bill. If we find that your subscription plan is not working for us, we can tailor it to something that will.

I don’t want to spend my time keeping track of time and sending you bills if I exceed the amount of time I promised. Like I have said, I hate nickel and diming. If I am going to act as your trusted legal advisor, I want to do that and not spend my time keeping detailed records so I can bill you.

If a specific amount of time is important to you, we can set up an hourly fee arrangement, and I will bill you specifically for all the time I spend on your matter.

For most businesses, yes, because this is about prevention. Direct, easy access to legal counsel allows owners to proactively deal with legal issues as they arise. Hourly billing often discourages owners from seeking advice until a problem escalates.

My In-House Counsel subscriptions provide predictable pricing and regular access to legal counsel so issues can be addressed early. Preventing a single dispute, contract failure, or compliance issue can often cover the cost of an entire year of preventive legal support.

Ask me anything about running a small business or the legalities involved. I am a small business owner, and I have made my share of mistakes. Luckily, I have survived them, but I wish I had taken my own advice and had a trusted legal advisor from the beginning.

My career developed based on the mistakes I made and the, sometimes painful, things I had to do to correct them. I want to help you avoid some unnecessary business missteps and costly legal mistakes so that your business is a success.

• I am hiring an employee. What do I need to do?
• My client is mad at me and threatening to sue. What do I do?
• Because of what happened with my client, do I need to change my policies or client contracts?
• Do I need a written contract with my clients?
• I am contemplating bringing on another owner. What are the pros and cons?
• I need capital. How can I get an infusion of cash without giving up ownership in my company?
• I got one bad review online. Any strategies for handling this?
• I need to sign this contract. What does this clause really mean?
• Is my current business structure the best option for liability and taxes?
• Do my client service agreements properly limit liability?
• Do I need Terms of Service and a Privacy Policy on my website?
• How do I determine whether someone should be an employee or independent contractor?
• What employment policies should I have before hiring?
• What are the biggest legal risks for my type of business?
• What type of insurance coverage should I carry?
• Should I trademark my business name or logo?
• What should I have in place if I want to sell the business later?
• Do I need buy-sell agreements or succession planning?
• What legal issues do you commonly see businesses like mine get wrong?

I have malpractice insurance and experience. The Internet and Artificial Intelligence are great technological advances and I do not know how we functioned without them. However, when you rely on AI as more than a gut check, you risk an answer that is not tailored to you, your location, or your specific business.

Many times, I will pose a question to an AI program, and it will flat out give me the wrong answer. You do not know how the AI has been trained. Has AI been trained on the three business law books I wrote specific to Arizona? No. I bring 30 years of practical and legal experience to the table to answer your questions, and I am a real person. I will also answer the related question that you did not know you needed to ask.

No. You can schedule a one-time consultation with me if you only have a few questions. However, my experience is that only a few questions lead to more. Monthly subscriptions are designed for business owners that want access to legal counsel without the need for scheduling a consultation each time. You can set up successive consultations in lieu of a subscription plan, but it is generally more expensive.

A matter typically includes a legal question, document review, or guidance related to a discrete legal matter or document review that can be addressed in a half hour of attorney time or less.

Matters are designed for monthly support and do not roll over. Some months you will have more matters than others.

We will calculate the approximate dates for the meetings based on your subscription plan start date. We will send you an email giving you details for scheduling those meetings before they should occur. It will be your responsibility to set the meetings. If you don’t schedule the meeting within 30 days of when it should occur, it will not roll over.

Sign up for one of our My In-House Counsel subscriptions, pay the first monthly fee, and we will send you an introductory email with some basic questions as well as how you can make contact when questions arise. All correspondence is through our secure portal where you can also post documents for review. In the Compliance and Concierge Subscriptions, you may also text us with your questions.

Submit your question with a brief summary of facts and a concise question. The more information you can give at the onset, the faster I can give you a helpful response. Do not just say, “I have a question about firing an employee?” If you want to just have a chat about whatever, please set a consultation, as subscriptions are designed for legal advice in a streamlined manner.

Contract review includes issue spotting and recommendations. It does not include redlining, negotiations, or full redrafting. We are happy to provide those services, but they are not included in any of the My In-House Counsel subscription plans.

Most businesses don’t think they need legal advice until a problem arises. The subscription is like insurance: you hope you don’t need it, but when an unexpected issue comes up, you have immediate access to an experienced business law attorney. Having the subscription means you’re protected without facing high, emergency legal costs. Plus, once you have direct access to counsel, you will find that when questions arise that you normally would not ask an attorney to answer, you will.

Even if you don’t have urgent questions every month, your subscription is still working for you behind the scenes. Think of it like insurance: you hope you don’t need it, but when an unexpected issue arises, you have immediate access to an experienced business attorney without the uncertainty of paying hourly rates. I pay for medical insurance every month, in hopes that I don’t need it, but I am glad I have it if I do.

• Prevent problems before they happen: I can review contracts, agreements, and compliance deadlines so you avoid costly mistakes.
• One question can save thousands: Even a single contract review or suggested response can prevent legal issues that could cost far more than your annual subscription.
• Access to resources at any time: Depending on your plan, templates, checklists, and compliance reminders help you make informed decisions without needing to reach out.
• Peace of mind: Knowing legal guidance is only a message, portal submission, or call away allows you to focus on growing your business.

Most of our clients find that even minimal use of their subscription pays for itself many times over if it prevents just one expensive legal problem.

Subscriptions are in three-month increments. You are responsible for three months of your subscription, although you may pay for it monthly. If you cancel during a three-month subscription period, you remain responsible for the payment for the remaining months. We will not charge you further after the three-month subscription period ends.

Payments are made monthly or paid in three-month increments. Payments for subscriptions are made via recurring ACH or credit card payment. Cancel, upgrade, or downgrade your subscription plan at any time to suit your changing needs. Keep your payment receipt for your tax records as professional legal fees are tax deductible as a business expense.

Yes, we can cancel your subscription. We don’t want to cancel your subscription, but if we do not have a good working relationship, there is no reason for us to work together. We have the right, just like you, to cancel your subscription plan for any reason at any time. If we cancel your subscription agreement during one of your three-month subscription periods, we will not charge you for any months after our cancellation of the subscription.

I can’t quantify the amount of money you will save in the long run. I can tell you that business owners that get quick legal counsel on pending matters or legal compliance before they become a problem save tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees. If your business is sued, you will not be able to avoid a big legal bill to defend yourself. Litigators rarely will defend a case, no matter how frivolous, for less than $10,000 to $15,000 up front.

Fortunately, having legal counsel is a tax-deductible cost of doing business right. Plus, if you can spend your time running your business instead of trying to figure out legal matters, you will make up the amount you are paying for your subscriptions.

My In-House Counsel subscriptions are designed to provide communications, advice, review, and recommendations. They do not include actual legal work that you may need. For example, we may discuss an exit strategy for your business and decide what you want to implement, but the actual drafting of the exit strategy in an Operating Agreement or other contract is not part of the subscription. We will determine a flat fee at a preferred rate for other work you need as it arises.

No. My In-House Counsel subscriptions focus on communications and advice, which helps prevent disputes from reaching litigation. If litigation becomes necessary, we will help you find and coordinate with appropriate litigation counsel.