Fractional General Counsel.

“Tell me what’s going on.”

It’s usually the first thing I say.

Because we don’t have to start from the beginning.

I know where we’ve been.

Now I need to know what’s changed.

Knowing your business changes the questions I ask.

Sometimes you call because you’re bringing someone into the business.

You think you’re asking how to structure the deal.

I ask what happens when you stop agreeing.

Other times you call because a customer hasn’t paid.

You think you’re asking about a demand letter.

I want to know whether you’d still want them as a customer if they paid you tomorrow.

Sometimes you call because you’re ending a business relationship.

You ask to do it over the phone because you know you’re going to get emotional.

I think the emotion is exactly what she needs to see.

I probably wouldn’t have asked those questions if we were meeting for the first time.

I can ask them now because I know where you’re trying to take the business.

We’re making today’s decision in the context of where you’re going.

Sometimes we spend twenty minutes talking about something that never becomes a legal issue.

No dispute.

No negotiation.

No contract.

Sometimes my best work is making sure there isn’t any legal work.

You don’t have to decide alone.