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Outside General Counsel for Businesses in Virginia and North Carolina

Most growing companies need a lawyer long before they can justify hiring one in-house. We serve as outside general counsel for businesses that want ongoing legal support from attorneys who know their company, their contracts, and their goals. Most clients work with us on an ongoing retainer billed hourly as needed, and monthly flat-fee arrangements are available for some businesses.

  • Ongoing Legal Support for Businesses
  • Ongoing Retainer and Flat-Fee Options
  • Licensed in Virginia & North Carolina
  • Actively Representing Hundreds of Businesses

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WHERE WE WORK

VIRGINIA & NORTH CAROLINA

BUSINESSES ACTIVELY REPRESENTED

HUNDREDS

ENGAGEMENT OPTIONS

RETAINER OR FLAT FEE

OUTSIDE GENERAL COUNSEL

A Legal Team That Knows Your Business

When the same attorneys handle your contracts, questions, and decisions over time, advice gets faster, more practical, and more efficient. We offer two ways to work together, and we help you pick the one that fits how often you need us.

Ongoing Retainer

Our most common arrangement. You keep a retainer on account, and we bill hourly for the work as matters come up.

  • Pay only for the work you need
  • Access to attorneys who already know your company
  • Terms confirmed in a written engagement agreement

Monthly Flat Fee

For businesses with steady, predictable legal needs, a fixed monthly fee covering a defined scope of ongoing support.

  • Predictable budgeting
  • Scope agreed in advance
  • Work outside the scope quoted separately

WHAT WE HANDLE

Legal Support for the Issues Businesses Face Every Month

Our outside counsel clients rely on us for the routine and the unexpected. When a matter calls for deeper work, our Business & Corporate Law, Real Estate, and Litigation attorneys are already part of the team.

Contract Review & Drafting

Customer, vendor, and service agreements reviewed or drafted before you sign. See our Contracts practice.

Employment & Contractor Issues

Offer letters, independent contractor agreements, policies, and guidance on difficult personnel decisions.

Governance & Compliance

Operating and shareholder agreements, annual requirements, registered agent service, and owner decisions documented properly.

Commercial Leases & Real Estate

Lease negotiation, renewals, and property purchases for your business locations.

Disputes & Demand Letters

Early advice and demand letters that resolve problems before they become lawsuits, with litigation support when needed.

Growth, Financing & Ownership Changes

New partners, investor terms, lender documents, and buy-sell planning as the company grows.

Acquisitions & Exits

When it is time to buy a competitor or sell the company, your deal counsel already knows the business. See Mergers & Acquisitions and our legal guide to buying or selling a business.

Medical & Dental Practices

Physician contracts and practice matters handled through our Med Contract Law division.

Need a Lawyer Without Hiring In-House Counsel?

Tell us about your business and the legal work you handle each year. We will recommend a retainer or flat-fee arrangement that fits.

TALK WITH US

THE PROCESS

How Outside Counsel Works

Getting started is simple, and the relationship grows with your company.

1. Strategy Call

We learn about your business, your current contracts, and the legal issues you deal with most often.

2. Business Review

We identify gaps in your governing documents, key contracts, and policies, and prioritize what needs attention.

3. Choose Your Arrangement

We recommend an ongoing retainer billed hourly or, where it fits, a monthly flat fee, and confirm the terms in writing.

4. Ongoing Support

You contact us as questions come up, and we handle contracts, issues, and decisions as your counsel.

5. Plan Ahead

We help you anticipate renewals, growth decisions, and ownership changes before they become urgent.

WHY IT MATTERS

Small Legal Gaps Become Expensive Problems

Many business disputes start with a document nobody reviewed or a decision nobody wrote down. Regular access to counsel helps you catch these issues early, when they cost the least to fix.

Unreviewed Contracts

Automatic renewals, one-sided indemnities, and unclear payment terms signed in a hurry.

Outdated Governing Documents

Operating and shareholder agreements that no longer match how the company actually runs.

Worker Misclassification

Treating employees as independent contractors can create tax and wage exposure.

Missed Notice Deadlines

Lease renewals, termination windows, and cure periods that pass unnoticed.

Disputes That Escalate

A problem that a timely letter could have resolved turns into litigation.

Unplanned Ownership Changes

A partner leaves, retires, or passes away without a buy-sell agreement in place.

Ready for Ongoing Legal Support?

Schedule a consultation and we will discuss your business, your legal needs, and the right fee arrangement.

GET STARTED

What Business Clients Say About Working With Us

Real reviews from business owners we have represented. Read all client reviews.

Ryan H.

5-Star Client Review
Wow! Had Emma and John work with me in regard to an asset purchase and they were nothing short of incredible. They were fast, efficient, kind, and understanding. They will without a doubt be my first stop for any future legal needs, including referrals to areas that may not be in their purview.

Randy T.

5-Star Client Review
When the party we had contacted with to buy our family business decided they didn’t like the terms to which they had agreed stopped paying us the agreed upon amount we went to John. A few emails and phone calls later and the buyer agreed to pay us what was agreed on and to catch up all the past payments. Johns firm, quick, and decisive actions resolved the matter of a few weeks negating the need to go to court for resolution which saved us quite a bit of money. If you ever need an attorney, you will not go wrong hiring John. He is everything you would hope to find in an attorney.

Quint B.

5-Star Client Review
John did an exceptional job and went above and beyond to assist us in handling a commercial transaction and everything that comes with it. We got sidelined by a larger firm and decided to go with John after talking with him; turned out to be one of our best decisions! He did a great job all around, especially good at communicating (phone, email), really helped us throughout the negotiation process, tells it to you straight (even the hard truths), phenomenal work ethic, and is very well respected by his peers. Can’t recommend him highly enough! He’s the only attorney we want to work with in the future. Thanks John!

Google Reviewer

5-Star Client Review
John did a great job helping me with a business transaction. He was responsive, informative, knowledgeable, and I always felt like I was in capable hands.

    Who You’ll Be Working With

    Our business attorneys combine legal knowledge with practical business experience. We give clear, direct advice and explain every step in plain English.
    John McCormick, Founder and Managing Attorney of McCormick Law & Consulting

    John McCormick

    Attorney & Founder

    John McCormick is an attorney, entrepreneur, and community leader who helps business owners build, protect, buy, and sell companies. As the founder of McCormick Law & Consulting, he serves as outside counsel to businesses on contracts, governance, ownership changes, and transactions.

    John is licensed in Virginia and North Carolina and leads a team that represents hundreds of businesses.
    Read More about John

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is outside general counsel?
    Outside general counsel is an ongoing relationship with a law firm that handles your company’s legal needs as they come up, without the cost of hiring a full-time in-house attorney.
    How much does outside general counsel cost?
    Most outside counsel clients work with us on an ongoing retainer, with work billed hourly as needed. For businesses with steady, predictable needs, we also offer monthly flat-fee arrangements. We discuss the details during your consultation and confirm the fee arrangement in writing before work begins.
    What kinds of businesses use outside counsel?
    Growing companies, family businesses, and established firms that need regular contract, employment, governance, and transaction support but do not need a full-time lawyer on staff.
    Can you handle larger matters like acquisitions or disputes?
    Yes. Acquisitions, ownership changes, and disputes are handled by our transaction and litigation attorneys, often under a separate engagement. Because we already know your business, there is less ramp-up time.
    Do you work with businesses outside Hampton Roads?
    Yes. We have offices in Norfolk and Raleigh and represent businesses throughout Virginia and North Carolina. Many clients work with us by phone and video.