A standing legal partner for your organization — governance, compliance, employment, and contracts, handled by the same two partners across New York, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, and Connecticut. One team, no local-counsel handoffs, and a price you can put in the budget.

Outside General Counsel

In-house counsel, without the in-house cost

Most nonprofits don't need a firm on standby for emergencies. They need a lawyer who already knows the organization — the board, the bylaws, the funders, the open questions — before the question becomes urgent.

That is what an embedded relationship gives you: counsel on call, a fixed monthly scope, and no meter running every time you pick up the phone.

Why This Works

Embedded counsel without
a full-time hire.

Commonlight Difference

Why organizations choose us.

1.Four jurisdictions, one team.

New York, D.C., Massachusetts, and Connecticut, handled by the same two partners. No handoffs to local counsel you've never met.

2.Price you can budget around.

Named, scoped monthly tiers instead of open-ended billing. You know the number before the work starts.

3.Federal-agency perspective.

Alex Booker is a former U.S. Department of Education legislative attorney — useful context when federal rules are in flux.

4.Substantive depth.

We publish the analysis behind our advice in The Beacon and the Nonprofit Law Primer, so you can see how we think before you hire us.

How We Work

Built for the hours you need, not time you have to fill.

Choose the model that fits where your organization is now — and our involvement can grow with you.

Strategic Counsel Subscription

For ongoing governance, compliance, employment & contracts

A monthly subscription covering the legal questions that actually cross your desk — board governance, policy review, employment advice, contracts, and compliance.

Scope5–20 hrs / month
Board attendanceIncluded
Best forCharities & foundations wanting counsel on call

Fractional General Counsel

For larger or multi-state organizations needing a standing GC

An embedded partner who functions as your general counsel — on call for leadership, managing outside specialists, and owning the legal calendar.

Scope25+ hrs / month
Board attendanceIncluded
Best forLarger, multi-state & advocacy-heavy orgs

Public charities

Governance, compliance, employment, contract needs.

Private foundations

Grantmaking, self-dealing, expenditure rules.

Rapidly scaling nonprofits

Navigating growth, regulatory transitions, or sector transformation.

Multijurisdictional organizations

Programs or leadership with broad geographic reach.

Who We Serve

Who this is for.

Transparent Fees

Work with your budget, not against it.

Rates are tied to your operating budget and
discounted for annual subscription clients. No surprise invoices.

Hourly rate band: $230/hour (operating budget under $500K) to $390/hour (expenses $5M+)
Strategic Counsel Subscription: from ~$1,070/month (5 hours)
Fractional General Counsel: from ~$5,350/month (25 hours)
Board-meeting attendance: included in every tier

Let's work together.

Every engagement starts with a complimentary 30-minute consultation.
Together we determine term length, pricing model, and scope of services that fit your organization’s needs.

Schedule a Consultation