General Counsel Services
Trusted General Counsel for Privately Held Companies
Manning Fulton‘s business attorneys serve as general counsel to many privately held companies that do not have in house counsel and need general legal advice from time to time. They advise CEOs, CFOs, owners, and other decision-makers on a wide range of legal issues, and also help channel more complex legal issues to other attorneys within the firm with specialized skills needed for addressing specific problems. By developing an understanding of the needs and risk profile of each client, we can provide counsel on a wide range of alternative solutions, and help each client navigate through challenges to help them achieve their strategic objectives.
Why Outsource General Counsel Services?
Outsourced general counsel will act as your business’s trusted legal advisor, understanding your mission and priorities. They’ll bring practical industry knowledge to the table, offering solutions that are customized to your specific situation and empowering your business with client-centered expertise.
Here’s how the service can benefit you:
- Cost-Effective: Pay only for the legal services you use, eliminating the burden of in-house counsel full-time salary, benefits, and overhead.
- Scalable Support: Adapt your legal resources to your needs. Hire fractional general counsel for specific projects, or secure ongoing guidance.
- Extensive Knowledge: Leverage the knowledge of experienced lawyers with a broad range of legal understanding. This is particularly valuable for small and medium businesses that might not have the resources for a full-time in-house counsel.
- Mitigate Risk: Proactively manage legal risks with guidance on compliance, risk identification, and dispute resolution.
- Expanded Network: Gain access to a wider network of legal professionals and resources, ensuring you have the right expertise at your fingertips for niche matters.
Our attorneys appreciate the need for clients to have immediate access to their legal advisors and for prompt responses when dealing with challenging questions.
Our general counsel services include advising clients on a wide range of complex issues, including but not limited to;
- Commercial contracts
- Employment issues
- Shareholder issues
- Board of director issues
- Executive compensation
- Intellectual property
- Banking and finance
- International transactions
- Privacy law
- Business acquisitions and sales
- Real estate and leasing issues
- Joint Ventures
Partner with Manning Fulton
Whether you’re a growing business without dedicated legal staff or an in-house counsel seeking specialized support, Manning Fulton’s attorneys are ready to act as your trusted legal partner. Reach out to one of our attorneys to help with ongoing matters.
Who We Serve
Services for In-House Counsel
If you serve as in-house counsel for a company you may find yourself in need of trusted counsel from legal advisors. Our attorneys can serve as an extension of your legal team and offer actionable advice and collaboration.
What Does In-House Counsel Use Us For?
Seasoned General Counsel
In-house counsel with established legal teams seeking outside perspective or specialized support.
Solo In-House Counsel
Legal professionals managing company legal needs who need trusted outside counsel for additional capacity.
First General Counsel
New in-house counsel building the legal function and establishing their role within the company.
In-House Legal Teams
Teams needing attorneys who can serve as an extension of their legal department.
Companies Needing Specialized Support
Businesses seeking niche legal services or guidance on specific matters.
Companies Facing Time-Sensitive Needs
Businesses needing support for surge work, end-of-quarter projects, leave coverage, or quick-turnaround matters.
Companies Outsourcing Repeat Work
Businesses needing help with repeat transactions, bulk work, or time-intensive legal projects.
Related Professionals
Accolades
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
Eight Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
2027
Recognized attorneys
- Matthew Muntean - Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- J. Patrick Bailey, Jr. - Real Estate Law
- Angela C. Baldwin - Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Trusts and Estates
- Cecilia Barreca - Business Organizations
- Chris N. Bobby - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Tax Law
- Lawrence D. Graham - Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Real Estate Litigation
- Corinne E. O’Reilly - Business Organizations
- B. Zack Taylor, Jr. - Real Estate Law
Business North Carolina “Legal Elite”
Fifteen Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in Business North Carolina’s 2026 “Legal Elite,” with three additional attorneys named “Legal Elite Young Guns.”
2026
Legal Elite
- Mike T. Medford - Antitrust & Complex Business Disputes
- William C. Smith - Bankruptcy
- Judson A. Welborn - Construction
- Jennifer L. Weaver - Corporate Law
- Thomas I. Lyon - Corporate Law
- William B. Gwyn - Corporate Law
- William S. Cherry - Employment
- Jessica B. Vickers - Litigation
- Alison R. Cayton - Real Estate Law
- Douglas J. Short - Real Estate Law
- Joseph B. Bass - Real Estate Law
- Jessica Elliott - Real Estate Law
- B. Zachary Taylor - Real Estate Law
- Sandra M. Clark - Tax & Estate Planning
- Steve T. Byrd - Tax & Estate Planning
- Chris Bobby
- Lawrence D. Graham
- Matthew P. Muntean
North Carolina Super Lawyers
Twenty-three Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized by Super Lawyers in 2026, including 17 Super Lawyers and 6 Rising Stars.
2026
Super Lawyers
- Joseph B. Bass - Real Estate
- Stephen T. Byrd - Estate & Probate
- Alison R. Cayton - Real Estate
- William S. Cherry III - Business Litigation
- Sandra Martin Clark - Estate & Probate
- William B. Gwyn Jr. - Business/Corporate
- Deborah L. Hildebran-Bachofen - Estate & Probate
- Thomas I. Lyon - Mergers & Acquisitions
- Barry D. Mann - Real Estate
- Michael T. Medford - Business Litigation
- Kevin A. Prakke - Securities & Corporate Finance
- Douglas J. Short - Real Estate
- William C. Smith, Jr. - Civil Litigation Defense
- Ritchie W. Taylor - Franchise/Dealership
- Jessica B. Vickers - Business Litigation
- Jennifer L. Weaver - Business/Corporate
- Judson A. Welborn - Business Litigation
- J. Patrick Bailey - Real Estate
- Angela C. Baldwin - Estate & Probate
- Chris N. Bobby - Business/Corporate
- Lawrence Graham, Jr. - Civil Litigation Defense
- Matthew P. Muntean - Business/Corporate
- B. Zachary Taylor - Real Estate
Best Law Firms: Metropolitan Tier 1
The firm secured 26 ranked practice areas, with 19 of those achieving the highest Tier 1 status.
2026
Recognized in:
- Appellate Practice
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Business Organizations
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Commercial Finance Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Corporate Law
- Health Care Law
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Insurance
- Litigation – Labor & Employment
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Litigation & Controversy – Tax
- Mergers & Acquisitions Law
- Real Estate Law
- Real Estate Litigation
- Tax Law
- Trusts & Estates Law
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