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# Outside Chief Legal: A New Kind of Legal Partner

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://outsidechieflegal.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [Litigation Taught Us to Prevent Lawsuits, Not Just Win Them](https://outsidechieflegal.com/litigation-lessons-prevent-lawsuits/): Years defending businesses in litigation taught our founder that winning a lawsuit is not the same as fixing what caused it. Here is why Outside Chief Legal was built to catch the contract gap, the undocumented agreement, or the workplace practice before it becomes a dispute.
- [The OCL Business Health Checkup: What’s Actually in Your Legal Closet](https://outsidechieflegal.com/business-legal-health-checkup/): Most businesses have a legal closet: entity documents, old handbook provisions, contracts signed years ago and never reopened. A business legal health checkup is a focused review that finds the gaps in those documents before a dispute, a departure, or a claim forces the issue.
- [What Does Football Have to Do with Mediation?](https://outsidechieflegal.com/mediation-no-game-clock/): Football has a game clock. Mediation does not. A disappointing first counteroffer or a long pause between rounds does not mean the process has failed. Here is why patience and preparation, not time pressure, tend to produce a workable resolution.
- [Buying a Business? The Diligence Most Buyers Skip](https://outsidechieflegal.com/business-acquisition-due-diligence/): Some business questions need a CPA. Some need a lawyer. Some need both, and here is how to tell the difference before something falls through the gap.
- [Alabama Business Tax Changes: 3 Critical Rules to Check](https://outsidechieflegal.com/alabama-business-tax-changes-fall/): Some business questions need a CPA. Some need a lawyer. Some need both, and here is how to tell the difference before something falls through the gap.
- [When does your business actually need a CPA and when does it need a lawyer?](https://outsidechieflegal.com/cpa-or-a-lawyer-business-alabama/): Some business questions need a CPA. Some need a lawyer. Some need both, and here is how to tell the difference before something falls through the gap.
- [Can AI Replace a Lawyer? 5 Costly Gaps in AI-Drafted Legal Work](https://outsidechieflegal.com/can-ai-replace-a-lawyer/): Can AI replace a lawyer for the decisions that protect a business? Not for the judgment calls. AI gives a plausible answer, confidently, and plausible is not the same as correct. Here are 5 costly gaps AI-drafted legal work leaves behind, and where they show up across contracts, HR policies, and disclosures.
- [Subscription Legal Services: 5 Ways the Incentives Actually Change](https://outsidechieflegal.com/subscription-legal-services-alabama/): Subscription legal services change what your lawyer is actually incentivized to do, not just what you pay. Here are 5 ways that shift shows up in practice.
- [Should We Name the Elephant?](https://outsidechieflegal.com/mediation-settlement-name-the-elephant/): A settlement isn't complete just because both sides agree on a number. Here's how to spot the condition that can quietly derail a deal, and when to raise it.
- [How Much Does a Business Lawyer Cost in Alabama?](https://outsidechieflegal.com/how-much-does-a-business-lawyer-cost-in-alabama/): Registering your LLC name is not the same as owning it. Here is what actually protects your business name, logo, and tagline in Alabama.
- [Do You Need a Trademark for Your Alabama Small Business?](https://outsidechieflegal.com/do-you-need-a-trademark-for-your-alabama-small-business/): Registering your LLC name is not the same as owning it. Here is what actually protects your business name, logo, and tagline in Alabama.
- [What Happens If Your Alabama LLC Does Not Have an Operating Agreement?](https://outsidechieflegal.com/llc-operating-agreement-alabama/): A realistic, professional photo of two business partners seated across a small conference table from each other, a blank legal document and a pen visible on the table between them, mid-conversation with serious but calm expressions — this is the moment before an agreement exists, not after. Natural window light, modern but understated office interior, muted neutral color palette (navy, warm gray, soft white). No visible logos or branding. Overlay bold white sans-serif text in the upper-left third of the image, two lines: "NO OPERATING" / "AGREEMENT? HERE'S THE GAP" — add a dark semi-transparent gradient behind the text if the background is busy or light, so the text stays legible. Landscape orientation, exactly 1200x630px, WordPress featured-image / Open Graph size.
- [Outside Chief Legal Attorneys Jordan Gerheim and William Lancaster Named to the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®](https://outsidechieflegal.com/ocl-attorneys-named-best-lawyers-in-america/): Jordan W. Gerheim and William R. Lancaster have been selected for inclusion in the 33rd edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, with Gerheim recognized for a fourth consecutive year.
- [What is a fractional general counsel and who actually needs one?](https://outsidechieflegal.com/fractional-general-counsel-explained/): Fractional general counsel is not full-time in-house, and it is not calling a different lawyer every time something comes up. Here is what it actually is.
- [The QBI deduction is now permanent – what that means for your LLC](https://outsidechieflegal.com/qbi-deduction-permanent-llc-alabama/): The QBI deduction no longer has an expiration date. Here is what that permanence actually means for how your Alabama LLC is structured.
- [What business licenses do you actually need in Mobile, Alabama?](https://outsidechieflegal.com/business-licenses-mobile-alabama/): Forming an LLC is not the same as being fully licensed. Here is what businesses in Mobile, Alabama actually need at the state, county, and city level.
- [How to protect your business before hiring a vendor or contractor](https://outsidechieflegal.com/hiring-vendor-or-contractor-alabama/): Your buy-sell agreement decides what happens to your ownership when you exit, retire, divorce, or pass away, and most owners treat it as paperwork until it's too late. Here's why it deserves more attention, and how to check if yours still holds up.
- [Why Your Buy‑Sell Agreement Is one of Your Most Important Documents](https://outsidechieflegal.com/buy-sell-agreement-important-document/): Your buy-sell agreement decides what happens to your ownership when you exit, retire, divorce, or pass away, and most owners treat it as paperwork until it's too late. Here's why it deserves more attention, and how to check if yours still holds up.
- [Alabama 2026 legislative session ended. Here is what changed for your business](https://outsidechieflegal.com/alabama-2026-legislative-session-business/): Dispute resolution usually only gets a second thought once a business is already in one. Here is how to decide, ahead of time, how disagreements will actually get handled.
- [How to Handle a Difficult Employee Situation Legally in Alabama](https://outsidechieflegal.com/difficult-employee-situation-alabama/): Dispute resolution usually only gets a second thought once a business is already in one. Here is how to decide, ahead of time, how disagreements will actually get handled.
- [Designing a Dispute Resolution Strategy Before There’s a Dispute](https://outsidechieflegal.com/dispute-resolution-strategy-al-business/): Dispute resolution usually only gets a second thought once a business is already in one. Here is how to decide, ahead of time, how disagreements will actually get handled.
- [The OCL Subscription: What Gulf Coast Business Owners Actually Get for Their Monthly Fee](https://outsidechieflegal.com/ocl-subscription-how-it-works/): The OCL subscription gives Gulf Coast business owners a general counsel on call, without the overhead of a full-time hire. Here's what's included, what it costs, and who it's built for.
- [AI in the workplace: what Alabama employers need a policy for right now](https://outsidechieflegal.com/ai-in-the-workplace-policy-al-employers/): Employees at nearly every Gulf Coast business are already using AI tools at work, policy or no policy. Here are three things your AI policy needs to cover before a gap like that costs you a client.
- [5 legal problems Alabama businesses ignore until they cannot](https://outsidechieflegal.com/legal-problems-alabama-businesses-ignore/): Most partnerships start with a handshake, not a lawyer. Here are three legal steps to take before you bring on a business partner, while everyone still agrees on everything.
- [3 Legal Steps to Take Before You Bring On a Business Partner in Alabama](https://outsidechieflegal.com/business-partner-legal-steps-alabama/): Most partnerships start with a handshake, not a lawyer. Here are three legal steps to take before you bring on a business partner, while everyone still agrees on everything.
- [5 Things Every Alabama Business Should Check Before August](https://outsidechieflegal.com/al-business-legal-checklist-before-august/): More than half the year is behind you. These are the five legal and compliance items Gulf Coast business owners most commonly defer, and what each one costs when left unaddressed heading into Q3.
- [TIME OUT and Halftime: Using Mediation Breaks to Actually Move Your Case](https://outsidechieflegal.com/mediation-breaks-move-your-case/): Every mediation has waiting time. Most people treat it as dead space. Used well, those breaks are where you reassess your position, read the other side, and decide what actually moves the case forward.
- [Why It Matters That Your Lawyer Still Goes to Court](https://outsidechieflegal.com/why-your-lawyer-should-still-litigate-al/): You're not paying for a skill you'll never use. Here's why litigation experience shapes the quality of legal advice you get, even if you never see a courtroom yourself.
- [3 Things Courtroom Experience Teaches You About Risk](https://outsidechieflegal.com/courtroom-experience-business-risk-alabama/): A lawyer who has never argued a case in court is guessing at what creates real risk. Here are three things courtroom experience actually teaches about where businesses lose ground.
- [What Trial Experience Teaches You About Contract Drafting](https://outsidechieflegal.com/trial-experience-contract-drafting-alabama/): The lawyer drafting your contract and the lawyer who'd argue it in court are often not the same person. Here's what changes when they are, and why it matters before you ever sign.
- [The OCL Partner Plans v. Hiring In-House – What the Numbers Actually Look Like](https://outsidechieflegal.com/ocl-partner-plans-vs-hiring-in-house-counsel/): Hiring in-house counsel in Alabama costs $180,000 to $250,000 all-in annually. OCL Partner Plans start at $799 per month. Here is how the numbers actually compare for Gulf Coast businesses.
- [We’re Litigators, Not Just Legal Advisors](https://outsidechieflegal.com/litigators-not-just-legal-advisors-alabama/): Most proactive law firms refer litigation out when a real dispute shows up. Outside Chief Legal doesn't. Here's why that matters, even before you ever need it.
- [4 Signs Your Alabama Business Has Outgrown Its Legal Setup](https://outsidechieflegal.com/outgrown-legal-setup-alabama-business/): The legal setup that worked when you started rarely still fits once the business has grown. Here are four signs your legal structure has fallen behind, and what closing that gap actually looks like.
- [LLC vs. S-Corp in Alabama: Which One Saves You More?](https://outsidechieflegal.com/llc-vs-s-corp-alabama-tax-savings/): Should your Alabama LLC be taxed as an S-Corp? The answer depends on one calculation most business owners only do halfway. Here is the full picture.
- [What Happens to Your Company If You Die Without a Plan?](https://outsidechieflegal.com/what-when-business-owner-dies-no-plan/): Without a will or succession plan, Alabama law decides what happens to your business when you die. Here is what Gulf Coast business owners need to know and what to put in place before that question becomes someone else's problem.
- [Management Buyout, Family Transfer, or Sale? Legal Paths to Exit](https://outsidechieflegal.com/mbo-family-transfer-sale-legal-paths-to-exit/): Gulf Coast business owners have three realistic exit paths. Here is how each one works legally, what documents you need, and how to choose the right one.
- [When Your Business Gets Sued: What the First 30 Days Actually Look Like](https://outsidechieflegal.com/business-lawsuit-alabama/): Getting served with a lawsuit is one of the worst moments in a business owner's year. Here's exactly what the first 30 days need to look like, and the mistakes that make cases worse.
- [What happens if you (business owner) can’t show up at work next month? (Succession and emergency planning).](https://outsidechieflegal.com/succession-planning-alabama/): Most Gulf Coast business owners plan for slow seasons and cash flow gaps. Almost none of them plan for the month they cannot show up. Here is what actually keeps your business running when you are not there.
- [The Difference Between a One-Time Lawyer and an Ongoing Legal Partner](https://outsidechieflegal.com/one-time-lawyer-vs-ongoing-legal-partner-al/): Most Gulf Coast business owners hire a lawyer when something goes wrong. Here is what that model actually costs and why an ongoing relationship produces better outcomes.
- [The Four P’s of Mediation: How to Make the Process Count](https://outsidechieflegal.com/the-four-p-of-mediatihow-to-make-the-process-count/): By: William R. Lancaster Litigator | Outside Chief Legal Officer - Outside Chief Legal LLC
- [7 Things to Have Before Your First Employee in Alabama](https://outsidechieflegal.com/first-employee-alabama-legal-requirements/): Hiring your first employee in Alabama requires more than an offer letter. Here is what Gulf Coast business owners need in place before day one.
- [Independent Contractor v. Employee: The Real Difference in Alabama](https://outsidechieflegal.com/independent-contractor-v-employee-difference/): Alabama is at-will, but termination without documentation is still a liability. Here is what Gulf Coast employers need in place before the conversation happens.
- [What Alabama Employers Must Have Before Letting Someone Go](https://outsidechieflegal.com/alabama-employer-termination-documentation/): Alabama is at-will, but termination without documentation is still a liability. Here is what Gulf Coast employers need in place before the conversation happens.
- [Does your website need a privacy policy in Alabama now?](https://outsidechieflegal.com/your-website-need-privacy-policy-in-alabama/): Alabama's new privacy law changes the answer for many Gulf Coast businesses. Here is whether your website needs a privacy policy now and what it needs to cover.
- [Why OCL Takes Cases to Court: The Litigation Advantage](https://outsidechieflegal.com/ocl-litigation-experience-cases-to-court/): OCL still takes cases to court. Here is why active litigation experience makes our outside general counsel work sharper for Gulf Coast businesses.
- [Best Law Firm Award: OCL Wins 2026 Best of Alabama](https://outsidechieflegal.com/best-law-firm-award-ocl-2026-best-of-alabama/): Outside Chief Legal LLC was named a 2026 Best of Alabama winner in the Full-Service Law Firm category by Guide to Alabama — an honor received by fewer than 10% of Alabama businesses each year.
- [Do I actually need an LLC in Alabama? 5 Things to Know](https://outsidechieflegal.com/do-i-need-an-llc-in-alabama-5-things-to-know/): Not every business needs an LLC right away. But if you're signing contracts, serving customers, or taking on employees along the Gulf Coast, the answer changes fast.
- [What Litigation Experience Actually Looks Like in a Contract Review](https://outsidechieflegal.com/litigation-experience-contract-review/): Most contract problems go unspotted until something goes wrong. Here is what litigation experience catches before problems appear.
- [5 contract mistakes Alabama business owners make](https://outsidechieflegal.com/5-contract-mistakes-business-owners-make/): 3‑Year Legal Roadmap, reactive to proactive legal plan, legal roadmap for growing businesses, Outside Chief Legal, fractional general counsel, outside general counsel subscription, prevention-focused legal support, business legal checkup
- [7 Steps To Comply With The New Privacy](https://outsidechieflegal.com/7-steps-to-comply-with-apdpa/): 3‑Year Legal Roadmap, reactive to proactive legal plan, legal roadmap for growing businesses, Outside Chief Legal, fractional general counsel, outside general counsel subscription, prevention-focused legal support, business legal checkup
- [Your Lawyer Should Be Helping to Build Your Business, Not Just Bailing It Out](https://outsidechieflegal.com/proactive-legal-counsel-beyond-break-fix/): 3‑Year Legal Roadmap, reactive to proactive legal plan, legal roadmap for growing businesses, Outside Chief Legal, fractional general counsel, outside general counsel subscription, prevention-focused legal support, business legal checkup
- [Your 3‑Year Legal Roadmap From Reactive to Proactive](https://outsidechieflegal.com/3-year-legal-roadmap-reactive-to-proactive/): 3‑Year Legal Roadmap, reactive to proactive legal plan, legal roadmap for growing businesses, Outside Chief Legal, fractional general counsel, outside general counsel subscription, prevention-focused legal support, business legal checkup
- [Alabama Personal Data Protection Act: 4 Essential Facts Every Owner Must Know](https://outsidechieflegal.com/alabama-privacy-law-businesses-2027/): Alabama’s new consumer privacy law takes effect in 2027 and could impact Gulf Coast businesses that collect, share, or process customer data. Learn who the APDPA applies to, what compliance requires, and the practical steps business owners can take now to avoid penalties and operational disruption.
- [5 Legal Gaps That Quietly Cost Alabama Business Owners Money](https://outsidechieflegal.com/5-legal-gaps-cost-alabama-business-owners/): Many Alabama business owners lose money through preventable legal gaps hidden in contracts, compliance, operations, and internal processes. This article outlines five common issues that quietly create risk and explains how to address them before they become costly problems.
- [If You Get Sued: The First 5 Calls to Make and What to Gather](https://outsidechieflegal.com/if-you-get-sued-first-5-calls-to-make/): We help owners think through what happens next, who takes over, how decisions are made, and how the legal side supports those choices.
- [Building a Long‑Term Legal Strategy for Your Business and Legacy](https://outsidechieflegal.com/long-term-legal-strategy-business-legacy/): Outside Chief Legal advises business owners on long-term legal strategy, connecting ownership, contracts, people, and risk to support growth and future transitions.
- [Business Succession Planning 101: What Every Owner Should Know](https://outsidechieflegal.com/business-succession-plan-101-what-to-know/): We help owners think through what happens next, who takes over, how decisions are made, and how the legal side supports those choices.
- [Why Did You Start Your Business?](https://outsidechieflegal.com/why-did-you-start-your-business-guidance/): Why did you start your business? This core reason—freedom, legacy, family stability, or impact—must guide every legal decision to avoid conflicts, delays, and loss of control.
- [Aligning Your Estate Plan with Your Business Succession Plan](https://outsidechieflegal.com/aligning-estate-with-business-succession/): Make sure your estate plan and business succession plan work together, not against each other. Learn how misalignment can create conflict, delays, and costly disputes—and what to do now to keep ownership, control, and your long-term goals aligned.
- [Inside a Buy‑Sell Agreement: What It’s There to Do](https://outsidechieflegal.com/inside-buy-sell-agreement-what-to-do/): We help owners think through what happens next, who takes over, how decisions are made, and how the legal side supports those choices.
- [Outside Chief Legal LLC Named to 2026 Inc. Regionals: Southeast List](https://outsidechieflegal.com/outside-chief-legal-inc-regionals-2026/): Outside Chief Legal LLC earned a spot on the Inc. Regionals: Southeast list at No. 46 and received recognition from the Best of Alabama Awards — a reflection of what the Gulf Coast business community is building at OCL.
- [Customer Disputes: Legal Issue or Communication Problem? ](https://outsidechieflegal.com/customer-disputes-legal-vs-communication/): Customer disputes are a fact of business life, but not every angry email is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Many flare ups come from poor expectations or unclear communication, not true legal violations. Knowing the difference helps you respond quickly, avoid escalating conflict, and protect both your relationships and your business. 
- [Why Your Entity Type Matters for Risk and Succession](https://outsidechieflegal.com/entity-type-matters-for-risk-and-succession/): By: Jordan Gerheim, CEO - Outside Chief Legal LLC
- [Proven 5 Ways Outside Counsel Acts as True Partners](https://outsidechieflegal.com/5-ways-outside-counsel-partners/): A recent piece in Today’s Managing Partner, “How Law Firms Can Win More Outside Counsel Work,” makes a number of observations about what in‑house counsel and companies want from their outside legal counsel today. Reading it was encouraging because it largely confirms that we are asking the right questions and building the right habits in how we serve clients. At Outside Chief Legal LLC, everything starts with a central question: What is in the best interests of our client?   
- [Before Filling Season: 8 Essential Items to Have Ready for Your CPA and Attorney](https://outsidechieflegal.com/what-to-bring-cpa-business-taxes/): Tax filing season hits growing businesses hard. It is not only about getting numbers into your CPA’s software. It is also about the legal fine print behind those numbers: contracts, payroll, ownership changes, and state-specific rules that can quietly create risk if they are not in the file your CPA sees.  
- [5 Common Employment Law Mistakes Small Businesses Can Avoid](https://outsidechieflegal.com/employment-law-mistakes-small-business/): By: Jordan Gerheim, CEO - Outside Chief Legal LLC
- [At-Will Employment & Employment Contracts: What Owners Often Miss](https://outsidechieflegal.com/at-will-employment-vs-employment-contracts/): Most business owners hear “at-will employment” and think it means they can end employment anytime, the employee can leave anytime, as long as the reason is lawful. That’s generally the idea, and it is why “at-will” is the default in most workplaces (and states).
- [The Billable Hour Is Clocking Out](https://outsidechieflegal.com/the-billable-hour-is-clocking-out/): Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved from theory to daily reality, reshaping how major buyers of legal services negotiate, budget, and measure value. As routine cognitive work is automated, the economic logic that once underpinned the billable hour is eroding for everyone who pays the bills.
- [The Letter of Intent That Protects Your Deal & You](https://outsidechieflegal.com/letter-of-intent-essentials/): When buying or selling a business, most negotiations start with a Letter of Intent (LOI). This short document sets out the key terms before lawyers draft the full purchase agreement.   
- [New USPS Postmark Rule: Hidden Deadline Trap for Mailed Documents](https://outsidechieflegal.com/new-usps-postmark-rule-outside-chief-legal/): By: Jordan Gerheim  CEO - Outside Chief Legal LLC
- [Deal Structure Decoded: Asset Purchase vs. Stock Purchase for Growing Businesses](https://outsidechieflegal.com/asset-purchase-vs-stock-purchase-structuring-business-deals/): By: Jordan Gerheim  CEO - Outside Chief Legal LLC
- [The Cost of Ambiguity: How Unclear Contract Language Leads to Expensive Disputes](https://outsidechieflegal.com/ambiguous-contract-language-costly-unclear-contract-terms/): Ambiguous contract language looks harmless until both sides discover they have very different ideas about what a clause means. That gap in understanding is often what turns an ordinary business relationship into an expensive dispute, strained partnership, and perhaps even litigation.
- [Red Flags In Vendor Agreements](https://outsidechieflegal.com/red-flags-in-vendor-agreements/): By: Jordan Gerheim  CEO - Outside Chief Legal LLC
- [The Anatomy of an Enforceable Business Contract: Essential Clauses You Cannot Afford to Overlook](https://outsidechieflegal.com/anatomy-of-an-enforceable-business-contract-essential-clauses/): Business contracts are the backbone of your relationships with customers, vendors, partners, and key employees. When they are clear and enforceable, they prevent disputes and protect your company if something goes wrong. When they are vague or missing key clauses, they can be very expensive “lessons.”
- [Outside Chief Legal Attorney Named to 2025 Mid-South Super Lawyers® List](https://outsidechieflegal.com/jordan-gerheim-2025-super-lawyers/): Outside Chief Legal is proud to announce that Jordan W Gerheim has been named to the 2025 Mid-South Super Lawyers® list, a highly respected peer-reviewed recognition in the legal profession. This honor reflects not only Jordan’s individual accomplishments, but also the standard of excellence and leadership that defines our firm’s work on behalf of businesses across the region.​
- [Due Diligence Checklist for Buying a Small Business:  Legal Issues That Can Make or Break Your Deal](https://outsidechieflegal.com/due-diligence-checklist-buying-small-business/): By: Jordan Gerheim  CEO - Outside Chief Legal LLC
- [When to Convert Your Business Structure: From LLC to Corporation](https://outsidechieflegal.com/when-to-convert-business-structure-llc-to-corp/): By: Jordan Gerheim  CEO - Outside Chief Legal LLC
- [10 Potentially Critical Legal Mistakes New Businesses Make & How to Avoid Them](https://outsidechieflegal.com/10-potentially-critical-legal-mistakes-new-businesses-make-how-to-avoid-them/): By: Jordan Gerheim  CEO - Outside Chief Legal LLC
- [Outside Chief Legal Recognized among the 2026 Best Law Firms®](https://outsidechieflegal.com/outside-chief-legal-recognized-best-law-firm/): We’re proud to announce that Outside Chief Legal has been named among the 2026 Best Law Firms®, earning recognition for our excellence, innovation, and client-centered approach.
- [LLC VS. CORPORATION: The Right Choice For Long-Term Success](https://outsidechieflegal.com/llc-vs-corporation-the-right-choice-your-suc/): By: Jordan Gerheim  CEO - Outside Chief Legal LLC
- [Evaluating the True Cost of In-House Counsel:  A Decision Framework for Growing Companies](https://outsidechieflegal.com/evaluating-the-true-cost-of-in-house/): If you are currently evaluating whether in-house counsel is a logical next step for your company, you are right to evaluate the decision on many fronts. The problem is that this decision is far more complicated than the salary number on the offer letter suggests. Many companies pursuing in-house counsel overlook significant hidden costs and operational complexities. Before you commit to this path, you should understand the full financial picture and the tradeoffs involved in your evaluation.
- [Ask Why, Think Contrarian: Smarter Decisions for Modern Businesses](https://outsidechieflegal.com/ask-why-think-contrarian/): Arbitration clauses have become ubiquitous in business contracts, often included automatically because they are perceived to be a “faster, cheaper, and more flexible” alternative to traditional litigation. The logic seems sound: avoid crowded court calendars, reduce discovery costs, and maintain privacy. However, this one-size-fits-all approach ignores the significant downsides of arbitration that may not align with your business's dispute resolution needs.
- [Outside Chief Legal Attorneys Named to 2025 Best Lawyers® List](https://outsidechieflegal.com/outside-chief-legal-attorneys-named-to-2025-best-lawyers-list/): Outside Chief Legal is proud to announce that Jordan Gerheim and William Lancaster have been named to the 32nd edition of Best Lawyers®, one of the most highly regarded peer-review recognitions in the legal profession.
- [Outside Chief Legal Welcomes Robert J. Riccio as Chief Legal Officer](https://outsidechieflegal.com/outside-chief-legal-welcomes-robert-j-riccio-as-chief-legal-officer/): Outside Chief Legal is delighted to announce that Robert J. Riccio has joined the firm as our newest Outside Chief Legal Officer.
- [Honoring Outstanding Leadership: Bill Lancaster Receives Medallion for Exemplary Alabama State Bar Service](https://outsidechieflegal.com/honoring-outstanding-leadership-bill-lancaster-receives-medallion-for-exemplary-alabama-state-bar-service/): We are thrilled to announce that our very own Litigator and Outside Chief Legal Executive, William Lancaster, was recently presented with a medallion in recognition of his Outstanding Service as a Commissioner on the Alabama State Bar Board of Commissioners from 2016 to 2025!
- [Unlocking Strategic Value: How Outside/Fractional Counsel Elevate the C-Suite and Business](https://outsidechieflegal.com/unlocking-strategic-value-how-outside-fractional-counsel-elevate-the-c-suite-and-business/): By: Jordan Gerheim    CEO | Outside Chief Legal Officer | Litigator | Strategic Business Advisor
- [Voted Best of Alabama 2025!](https://outsidechieflegal.com/voted-best-of-alabama-2025/): We’re Honored! Outside Chief Legal Named “Best of Alabama” Regional Winner!
- [We Are Outside Chief Legal](https://outsidechieflegal.com/we-are-outside-chief-legal/): We are Outside Chief Legal - your approachable, trusted partner in business and legal support.
- [Scaling Expertise](https://outsidechieflegal.com/scaling-expertise/): by Jordan W. Gerheim

## Pages
- [T&C draft](https://outsidechieflegal.com/termsandconditions/)
- [Tracy Apker](https://outsidechieflegal.com/tracy-apker/)
- [OCL Partner Plans for Gulf Coast Businesses.](https://outsidechieflegal.com/partner-plans/)
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- [Terri Sharpley Reynolds](https://outsidechieflegal.com/terri-sharpley-reynolds/)
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- [Vaughan Luker](https://outsidechieflegal.com/vaughan-luker/): Vaughan Luker brings 40+ years of experience in the legal field as well as experience working for nonprofit organizations involving community outreach and education.  She is experienced in many areas of the law, including admiralty, construction defects, corporate litigation, employment law, healthcare law, insurance defense, medical malpractice, personal injury, product liability, and workers’ compensation utilizing cutting edge software to maximize results for the client.
- [Book Your Strategy Session](https://outsidechieflegal.com/book-your-strategy-session/)
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- [William R. Lancaster](https://outsidechieflegal.com/william-r-lancaster/)
- [Benjamin H. Kilborn, Jr.](https://outsidechieflegal.com/benjamin-h-kilborn-jr/)
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