What Does Of Counsel Mean

There are potentially several downsides to being of counsel rather than a partner. The most obvious is reduced pay. Attorneys who are of counsel will typically make a high associate salary, as opposed to the much higher average profits-per-partner.

Typically, the designation of counsel means an attorney who is employed by a firm but not as an associate or partner. Often the designee is a former judge or government official transitioning to private practice.

1a : advice given especially as a result of consultation He was unwise to reject my counsel. b : a policy or plan of action or behavior. 2 : deliberation, consultation.

The ABA and California rules allow an attorney to hold one or more of counsel designations while maintaining a separate source of work, so long as the firms involved appropriately monitor and clear conflicts and adhere to all applicable ethical rules.

' The ABA and California rules are clear that holding multiple of counsel positions simultaneously is permissible. As discussed below, however, the number of firms with which a lawyer can have an of counsel relationship may be limited from a practical standpoint due to conflict of interest rules.

According to California Rule of Professional Conduct 1-400(E)(8), an attorney is of counsel if there is a close, personal, continuous and regular relationship with a named firm. The of counsel can maintain a separate source of work, so long as conflicts and other ethical implications do not arise.

Some of counsel lawyers will be treated as independent contractors for all purposes. Conversely, some will be treated as employees for all purposes.Some of counsel lawyers will be treated as independent contractors for all purposes. Conversely, some will be treated as employees for all purposes.

Typically, the designation of counsel means an attorney who is employed by a firm but not as an associate or partner.A part-time practitioner who practices law in association with a firm, but on a basis different from that of the mainstream lawyers in the firm.

1) The lawyer or lawyers representing a client. For example, on the advice of counsel, the defendant did not take the stand. 2) Used as a verb, to give legal advice.