Why You Need A General Counsel
Many entrepreneurs and mom-and-pop shops spend so much time working in their businesses that they don’t work on their businesses.
Suddenly, an entrepreneur finds themselves at the mercy of Occupational Safety and Health Administrators (OSHA) or other government regulators due to employee issues. A filmmaker ends up in a messy contract dispute with a former client or employee. A lot is at stake, and they don’t know why they are on their hands and knees digging through a tunnel that they could have prevented.
That’s where I come in.
Everyone should have access.
Everyone should have access to a lawyer and business strategist without the big law and corporate consulting needs.
Serving small to mid-size businesses, I design and implement legal structures that protect you, your company, and your employees. A seasoned legal strategist with more than two decades of experience advising clients on innovative legal solutions, operational realignment, talent representation, and risk management, I also became an expert in campaign finance law, regulatory reform, and political consulting.
My wife and I launched several successful small businesses, including a law practice where our record of trial success was 100 percent positive. Then, after a decade of serving as a trade association advocate, and General Counsel, I launched Cody Hand LLC, where I provide expert legal counsel and strategic planning to my clients so they can focus on providing an excellent customer experience.
What is a General Counsel?
A General Counsel is known as a “chief counsel” or “chief legal officer” and is the chief in-house lawyer for a company or a governmental department.
My role is often broad and includes crisis management, compliance reporting management, and public policy advocacy. My duties also encompass overseeing and identifying legal issues in your departments and their interrelation. For example, as a General Counsel, I could work with your Human Relations (HR) department to ensure workplace safety and help your employees become the best advocates for your company.
Externally, I complete and submit your company’s initial and annual legal filings to the appropriate state regulatory agencies. I develop a comprehensive crisis plan, incorporating communications so that you effectively and straightforwardly talk to your internal and external stakeholders while maintaining your legal protections.
I assure you that neither you nor your business is ruined if or when issues spiral out of control. In the worst-case scenarios, I ensure you don’t go bankrupt or out of business because you lack legal protections and can survive legal and fiscal challenges.
Additional ways I help
Also, I work with not-for-profit boards that need a General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
As the General Counsel/Corporate Secretary for nonprofits, I ensure the organization’s governing board meets as required by law.
Depending on their schedule, needs, or special project engagements with clients, I routinely and regularly check in with them to ensure their business is working properly. I work on your business so that you can work in your business. That could also mean ensuring you have multiple employees who are not family; your customers are actively engaged in social media, so you receive recommendations; and referrals.
Equally important, my monthly retainer doesn’t include any “surprise” expenses for travel or speaking engagements.
When do you need me?
Today. Actually, from the first day of your business – from the minute you offer your goods and services to customers and clients or can afford to advertise – you should hire me. Otherwise, anyone who has an established business but doesn’t have a General Counsel needs one immediately.
Schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how we can work best together.
