Strategic Legal Counsel for Businesses
At Dempsey Foster, our Strategic Business Counsel is designed for businesses that need ongoing, strategic legal support without the cost or rigidity of a full-time, in-house legal team.
Strategic Business Counsel is an ongoing advisory relationship that gives your business consistent access to experienced attorneys who understand your company, your goals, and your risk profile. Clients view us as an extension of their leadership team — not just a lawyer they call in emergencies.
We tailor our counsel to the complexity and pace of each organization without sacrificing clarity, responsiveness, or accountability.
Our Strategic Business Counsel services are comprehensive and tailored. Common areas of support include:
Entity formation and governance
Operating agreements, bylaws, and shareholder matters
Board and leadership advisory
Risk assessment and strategic planning support
Business & Corporate Advisory
Dispute Prevention & Advisory
Early dispute assessment
Pre-litigation strategy and resolution planning
Demand letters and settlement negotiations
Coordination with leadership when disputes escalate
Contracts & Transactions
Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts
Third-party and partnership agreements
Independent contractor and consulting agreements
Regulatory Guidance
Industry-specific compliance considerations
Privacy, confidentiality, and data protection issues
AI governance and emerging technology risks
Policies and procedures aligned with evolving regulations
Employment & Workforce Support
Employment agreements and offer letters
Employee handbooks and policies
Workplace investigations and compliance support
Strategic counsel on terminations, restructuring, and culture issues
Ongoing Strategic Support
Regular check-ins with leadership
Legal input on business initiatives before launch
Coordination with accountants, HR professionals, and other advisors
Priority access to legal guidance
Where We Begin
We start with a focused discovery session to understand your business, priorities, and legal needs, and align on the scope and structure of the engagement.
01 | Discovery
We conduct a comprehensive legal audit to assess risk, identify gaps, and prioritize key areas for action, creating a clear roadmap for ongoing counsel.
02 | Legal Audit
We serve as ongoing strategic business counsel to your leadership team, providing proactive legal guidance, decision support, and litigation-informed strategy as your business grows.
03 | Ongoing Strategic Counsel
Engagement & Fees
Certain matters — such as litigation, large transactions, or highly specialized projects —may fall outside the scope and are handled under separate fee arrangements, which are always discussed transparently in advance.
Strategic Business Counsel can be offered as a hourly or fixed-monthly retainer basis. What this means for clients:
Predictable monthly legal costs
Reduced reliance on hourly billing for routine matters
Clear scope and expectations
Priority access to your legal team
If your business would benefit from legal counsel that grows with you, we’d welcome the opportunity to discuss whether our Strategic Business Counsel is the right fit. Contact us to schedule a conversation.
