One of Only Two Social Purpose Law Firms in California—FTE Legal is Built for Today’s Businesses
Let’s be honest here, traditional law firms just aren’t built for startups, small businesses, or entrepreneurs. They’re built for themselves. They thrive on inflated billable hours, bloated overhead, and opaque pricing. They’re all about their bottom line. That’s not how we operate.
At FTE Legal, we’ve created something different: a lean, transparent, and efficient law firm designed to serve, not just charge. Our transition from a California professional law corporation to a registered California social purpose law corporation (SPC) reflects our commitment to high-level legal services at accessible rates.
We’re one of only three registered social purpose law corporations in California. Three. Out of ~61,500 California law firms. It means so much to us because it formalizes what we’ve always believed—legal services should be structured for the client, not the law firm.
Why Traditional Law Firms Don’t Work for Startups
If you’ve ever worked with a traditional business law firm, you already know the problem:
The Billable Hour Trap – The system is designed to reward inefficiency. Lawyers are incentivized to stretch work out, not streamline it.
Excessive Overhead – You’re not just paying for legal work; you’re paying for swanky office spaces, administrative bloat, and inflated partner salaries.
Opaque Pricing – Many firms keep their pricing intentionally vague until you get the invoice. By then, it’s too late to ask questions.
Lack of Predictability – Startups and small businesses need to plan legal expenses, but traditional firms make it nearly impossible to budget effectively.
How We’re Built Differently
At FTE Legal, we don’t play by the old rules. Instead, we’ve built a fractional counsel firm that actually works for businesses.
Income-Based Rates & Transparent Pricing
No surprises. No hidden fees. No negotiating with your own lawyer. Our rates and engagement terms are publicly posted on our website. We don’t believe in making clients go through hoops just to get a fee schedule. And our rates are based on your ability to pay.
Lean, Efficient Structure
We run an intentionally lean operation. No overpriced offices, and no unnecessary overhead—just top-tier legal expertise at rates that make sense. Every dollar you spend goes toward quality legal work, not keeping up appearances.
Experienced Fractional Counsel Services
Instead of committing to a full-time in-house counsel or paying sky-high BigLaw rates, startups and businesses can access on-demand, high-level legal expertise when they actually need it. With 15 years of experience in BigLaw and in-house roles, FTE Legal knows exactly how to deliver the strategic counsel businesses need—without inflated costs.
Fairness, Transparency, and Efficiency: More Than Just a Tagline
Our name—FTE Legal—is a direct reflection of our values:
- Fairness – Legal services at accessible rates with balanced, client-friendly terms.
- Transparency – Publicly posted rates and engagement terms mean no surprises.
- Efficiency – A lean, agile structure that prioritizes quality and efficiency over busy work.
This isn’t just a philosophy—it’s written into our foundational Articles of Incorporation. And it also serves the basis for our Client Bill of Rights. Yeah, we have one of those.
Why Becoming a Social Purpose Law Corporation Matters
We didn’t just change our name—we changed our entire corporate structure to match our mission. As a registered California social purpose law corporation, our corporate mission is to provide high-level legal services at accessible rates. Unlike traditional law firms, which exist solely to maximize profits, we exist to serve our clients more effectively and fairly. This shift isn’t just theoretical—it’s already making an impact.
Milestones: Expanding Our Reach
In the last year, we’ve expanded our ability to support businesses in big ways:
- Became the first-ever Regional Legal Advisor to the Northern California network of Small Business Administration-funded Small Business Development Centers – Advising ~20,000 of its startup and small business members.
- Became the first-ever Legal Subject Matter Expert for the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, supporting thousands of small businesses, including those served by the Department of Commerce-funded Sacramento and Rural Minority Business Development Agency offices.
- Selected as the sole legal advisor for multiple startup incubators, assisting early-stage startups in structuring and executing deals, securing funding, and managing growth.
- Appointed as an ambassador to the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council.
- Supported over 50 clients since our June 2024 launch.
The Future of FTE Legal
The legal industry is overdue for a serious overhaul, and we’re leading the charge. By rejecting the bloated traditional law firm model, we’re proving that businesses can get top-tier legal support without breaking the bank. Ready to work with a law firm built to better the legal/business world? Let’s talk.
