Minnesota outside general counsel

Ongoing legal advice for business decisions

An outside general counsel relationship gives a business a continuing point of contact for legal work without creating an in-house position. Sometimes described as outsourced or fractional general counsel, the arrangement can focus on recurring contract and business advice, with additional matters agreed as they arise.

The value comes from understanding the company's agreements, decision-makers and business relationships over time. We help clients evaluate proposed commitments, document important decisions and respond when a disagreement begins to affect operations. Our business counsel and transactional practice also handles individual agreements and transactions when a continuing engagement is not needed.

How outside general counsel supports your business

1. 01

   Recurring contract review and negotiation

   Reviewing customer, supplier, service and other business agreements as they arise. We help management evaluate payment terms, performance obligations, renewal provisions, termination rights and proposed changes, with attention to how each agreement fits the company's existing commitments.

2. 02

   Ownership, management and company decisions

   Advice on management authority, owner relationships, governing agreements and documentation of significant decisions. We help identify when an issue calls for an approval, an amendment or a clearer record of what the parties agreed. The engagement identifies whose interests the firm represents.

3. 03

   Projects, property and commercial relationships

   Legal support for businesses managing projects, commercial property commitments and continuing relationships with customers, contractors and other participants. The work can include reviewing proposed terms, documenting changes and addressing payment or performance concerns before they disrupt the larger business arrangement.

4. 04

   Developing disputes and early responses

   Evaluating demand letters, disputed invoices, threatened terminations and disagreements among owners or business partners. We review the documents and communications, identify approaching deadlines and discuss the practical choices available. Early advice can also address preservation of relevant records and the consequences of a proposed response.

5. 05

   Litigation and arbitration coordination

   Connecting ongoing business advice with representation when a dispute requires litigation or arbitration. We help the company evaluate claims and defenses, organize the relevant record and coordinate decisions about the dispute with its wider business objectives. The scope of any contested proceeding is agreed separately.

6. 06

   Coordination with existing advisers and counsel

   Working alongside management, an in-house legal department, regular outside lawyers and other professional advisers. We can take responsibility for defined Minnesota matters, assist with particular agreements or disputes, and coordinate related work within MJB's practices. Responsibilities and communication arrangements are established at the outset.

Related practices include business contract disputes, construction law and contractor counsel, banking and creditors' rights and bankruptcy and restructuring.

A continuing relationship with clear responsibilities

We begin by identifying the company's principal contacts, current legal needs and any immediate deadlines. Existing agreements, ownership documents and active disputes help establish which matters need attention first and what work belongs within the engagement.

An ongoing relationship does not mean every legal matter is automatically included. We agree on the scope of representation, communication arrangements and fees, and discuss additional work when a new transaction or dispute requires it. The aim is a useful working relationship that fits the company's needs.

Business advice connected to commercial litigation

MJB is a boutique law firm with an established business and commercial litigation practice. That experience informs ongoing advice about agreements, business records and disagreements that may become contested claims.

When a lawsuit or arbitration develops, we can evaluate representation through the firm's litigation practice or commercial arbitration practice. A company can also retain MJB for business lawsuit defense without entering an ongoing general counsel relationship.

Work with James Magnuson

James Magnuson provides ongoing legal counsel to contractors, developers and other businesses. His work includes commercial agreements, business organization, owner relationships and disputes involving contracts, construction and commercial property.

James is a contributing author to Advising Minnesota Corporations and Other Business Organizations, published by Juris Publishing, and Shareholder Litigation, published by Thomson Reuters. His transactional and litigation background informs his advice to owners and management as business relationships develop or become contested.

Minnesota support for out-of-state companies

A company based elsewhere may need continuing Minnesota legal support for its operations, contracts, property or business relationships here. MJB can work directly with the company or coordinate a defined role with its general counsel and regular outside lawyers.

For a Minnesota dispute, our Minnesota local counsel practice provides representation in Minnesota state courts and, where federal jurisdiction exists, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. The engagement can combine ongoing business advice with a separately defined litigation role.