Fractional General Counsel

Growing companies reach a point where calling a lawyer only after a problem surfaces stops working, while a full-time general counsel remains out of reach. Moeller Law PLLC fills that gap, serving as fractional general counsel for Minnesota businesses, investment advisers, and private fund sponsors.

A fractional general counsel gives a business the ongoing judgment of an experienced in-house lawyer at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. Moeller Law takes ownership of the legal function on a continuing basis: reviewing and negotiating contracts, advising management, coordinating specialists and other advisors, and identifying risk before it becomes expensive.

Who Model Serves

Moeller Law serves as fractional general counsel for:

  • Investment advisers and private fund sponsors, including emerging managers

  • Growth-stage companies

  • Family-owned business

  • Entrepreneurs and founders

  • The common element is a business with real legal needs that recur throughout the year, without enough of them to justify building an internal legal department.

What the Engagement Includes

The work follows the business rather than a practice area. In a typical month it may include drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, advising on employment matters, supporting governance and ownership decisions, assisting with transactions, reviewing insurance coverage, and coordinating with accountants, tax advisors, and other professionals.

For investment advisers and fund sponsors, the role extends to fund and adviser documentation, investor negotiations, regulatory and compliance matters, marketing materials, and service provider arrangements.

When a matter requires a specialist, such as a trial lawyer or specialized tax counsel, Moeller Law identifies the need, helps select the right professional, frames the issue with the relevant background, and keeps the engagement focused on the expertise actually required.

How Engagements Are Structured

Moeller Law operates without layered staffing, billable-hour minimums, or large-firm overhead, so clients pay for senior-level work rather than infrastructure. Fractional general counsel engagements are typically structured as a monthly arrangement scoped to the business's needs, with the flexibility to adjust as those needs change. The structure is agreed at the outset so cost stays predictable. Traditional hourly engagements remain available for clients whose needs are project-based.

Experience Behind the Role

Moeller Law was founded by Jim Moeller after a career spent at large firms and financial institutions, including serving as chief legal officer of a multi-strategy investment management firm. That background shapes the role: counsel who understands the business behind the legal question, participates in decisions before they become legal problems, and knows when the best answer involves insurance, tax, compliance, operations, or another discipline rather than more legal work.

Minneapolis Based, Broader Reach

Moeller Law is based in the Twin Cities and serves businesses throughout Minnesota. For investment advisers, private fund sponsors, and other clients whose matters are governed primarily by federal securities law, the firm works with clients nationwide.

Learn More

For a detailed look at the role, read What Does a Fractional General Counsel Actually Do? Common questions are answered on the Business Law FAQ and Investment Management FAQ pages.