Delaware attorney David Morse has discovered an unmet need.
For many enterprises, an in-house attorney comes with a salary that can start in the six figures.
Workloads can vary and the position becomes a luxury many businesses cannot afford.
Hiring outside counsel may look attractive, but comes with hourly fees of $250 to $500, due to the overhead that comes with operating a law firm.
To date, the disruptive technology that has shaken up pricing models in a host of industries has not been felt to the same degree in the legal arena. This is due to the above-mentioned overhead costs, licensing and insurance requirements and other matters unique to the profession.
In attempting to avoid the cost trap, businesses sometimes rely on downloadable documents and boilerplate contracts. The risks are obvious.
Morse believes he has a solution in the form of a part-time general counsel who can more closely advise the management team.
“The value that a part-time in-house counsel can bring to a business is multifaceted and can help lay the groundwork for growth. The most noticeable advantage is that a substantial part of a business’ existing non-litigation legal work can be addressed for a fraction of the cost of hiring an outside law firm,”
Morse continued: “Other legal needs, which might otherwise be postponed or not yet be recognized, can also be addressed because of the reduced costs involved.
David gained insights into the potential of the collaborative approach when he began helping a New Jersey-based home products business with its goal of growing sales by more than two and half-times in two years.
He comes well equipped for the work with 17 years of combined experience as both an Intellectual Property attorney and as General Counsel, most of that spent working with start-up technology businesses.
His resume includes experience at both national law firms with hundreds of employees as well as “boutique” firms.
“David also comes with a deep understanding of what it takes to grow a business.”
The unique skill set will make its way to a company’s bottom line through well-crafted contracts as well as a legal perspective that can prove valuable in areas such as purchasing, selling and service contracts, human resources, strategic planning, warranties, and closing deals.
“The in-house counsel can intimately learn the ins and outs of the business, more so than an outside counsel, and the opportunity for the leadership team to walk across the hall to consult with their lawyer on detailed legal questions, without getting billed for it, can be invaluable. One of the less self-evident benefits is that with a lawyer attending to and filtering legal issues, the leadership team can dedicate more time to business growth,” Morse says.
As part-time counsel, David is in the office at least two to four days per month to work with the management team.
David is active in the community through his practice and in serving as a long-time board member of the Technology Forum of Delaware. Tech Forum is an educational and networking organization serving the key sector of the state’s economy.
To learn more about David and his unique approach to legal services, call 302-415-3368, or visit his website at dmmesq.com.
