Raphael Gil, Business Lawyer Seattle New York
ESQ.

Raphael
Gil

Business Lawyer & Fractional General Counsel

Education  Fordham Law, JD  ·  St. John's University, BS
Admitted  New York  ·  Washington
Based in  Seattle, WA  ·  Serving clients nationwide
Your Strategic Legal Partner

Legal support that feels like relief, not a burden.

Raphael Gil is a business lawyer and founder of Gil Esq PLLC, serving startups, companies, and nonprofits in Seattle and New York — whether as a Fractional General Counsel or on a project basis. Big-firm rigor. Human-centered approach.

Book a Consultation Learn about Fractional GC
425-610-9197 raphael@gil-esq.com Seattle, WA & New York, NY
About Raphael

Built on Rigor.
Driven by Purpose.

Raphael started the firm with a clear vision: high-quality legal support should feel accessible, collaborative, and aligned with the pace of modern business. After years in big-firm practice working on litigation, investigations, and regulatory risk, he saw how much companies benefit when rigorous legal work is delivered in a way that is practical and genuinely supportive.

He created the firm to offer that level of rigor in a setting that feels human, efficient, and easy to work with. His goal is to help clients move forward with clarity, make informed decisions, and grow with confidence.

Raphael serves as a versatile advisor to startups, emerging companies, and investors. In addition to transactional support, he advises on privacy and data-protection requirements such as GDPR and CCPA, helps organizations strengthen governance practices, align with cybersecurity standards, and modernize legal workflows with better processes and technology.

Big-Firm Background

Years of experience in litigation, investigations, and regulatory risk at large firms — brought to bear for your business.

Human-Centered Approach

Legal support that feels collaborative and accessible — aligned with the pace of modern business.

Seattle & New York

Admitted in Washington and New York. Serving startups, companies, and nonprofits locally and nationwide.

Fordham Law · St. John's University

JD from Fordham University School of Law. BS from St. John's University.

Services

Flexible Legal Support

Every client is different. Choose the model that fits.

Ongoing Partnership

Fractional General Counsel

Your lawyer. In your corner. All year long.

A Fractional GC is a senior business lawyer embedded in your team on a part-time or retainer basis — giving you strategic legal leadership and day-to-day support without the cost of a full-time hire.

Dedicated legal partner for founders and leadership teams
Proactive risk management and contract oversight
Build legal infrastructure that scales with your company
Deeply integrated — attends meetings, reviews deals, advises in real time
Engagement Model

Monthly retainer. Predictable cost, consistent access — no surprise invoices.

Schedule a Consultation
Project-Based

Single Matter & Project Work

Get exactly what you need. Nothing more.

Need help with a specific deal, contract, or legal question? Raphael takes on discrete projects — from a single contract review to a full transaction — with no ongoing commitment required.

Contract drafting, review, and negotiation
Transactions, entity formation, and governance
Privacy, compliance, and regulatory reviews
One-time advisory for fundraising, M&A, or strategic matters
Flexible Fee Structures

Flat fee, hourly, or hybrid — we discuss upfront what makes sense for your project so there are no surprises.

Talk About Your Project
Of Counsel & Consulting

Consultant & Of Counsel

Extra capacity. Deep expertise. When you need it.

Raphael works alongside in-house legal teams and law firms as a trusted external resource — providing overflow support, specialized expertise, or operational consulting without adding headcount.

Overflow support for busy in-house teams and solo GCs
Of counsel to law firms needing subject-matter depth
Specialized expertise in data privacy (GDPR, CCPA) and tech transactions
Legal operations consulting — process design, tools, and workflow improvement
Engagement Model

Hourly, project-based, or ongoing arrangement — structured to complement your existing team.

Let's Connect
Practice Areas

How Raphael Can Help

Select your entity type to highlight the most relevant areas.

or

Select your entity type to highlight relevant services

Transactions Deals, capital, and corporate structure
Investor Advisory
Term sheets, investor rights, and capital strategy.
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Equity Planning
Option pools, vesting, and equity compensation frameworks.
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Fundraising Guidance
Legal support from seed through growth rounds.
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Strategic Transactions
M&A, joint ventures, and complex deal structuring.
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Formation & Incorporation
Entity selection, structure, and founder agreements.
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SaaS & Licensing
Software agreements, IP licensing, and developer terms.
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Commercial Contracts, negotiations, and day-to-day legal
Commercial Negotiations
Structuring and closing deals that protect your interests.
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Vendor & Customer Contracts
Drafting and reviewing agreements that keep operations moving.
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Advertising & Marketing Review
FTC compliance, endorsements, and promotional programs.
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Employment & Workforce
Offer letters, handbooks, classification, and separations.
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Governance Structure, accountability, and compliance programs
Governance Structure
Board design, charters, and decision-making frameworks.
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Nonprofit Governance
Bylaws, fiduciary duties, and board best practices.
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Grant & Compliance
Grant terms, use-of-funds obligations, and audit readiness.
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Compliance & Investigations
Compliance programs, internal investigations, and regulatory response.
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Privacy, Cybersecurity & Technology Data, security, and modern legal operations
Privacy & Data Protection
GDPR, CCPA, DPAs, and data governance programs.
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Cybersecurity Standards
NIST, SOC 2, incident response, and security frameworks.
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Regulatory Advisory
Compliance obligations across industries and geographies.
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Legal Workflow Modernization
Legal ops, CLM, and process design for lean teams.
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about working with Raphael and Gil Esq PLLC as your Fractional General Counsel.

What is a Fractional General Counsel? +
A Fractional General Counsel is a senior business lawyer who provides ongoing legal counsel on a part-time or retainer basis. Unlike outside counsel who bills hourly, a Fractional GC is embedded in your business — proactively managing legal risk, reviewing contracts, and advising leadership as a true strategic partner.
Who needs a Fractional GC? +
Businesses and nonprofits that need consistent legal guidance but aren't ready for a full-time in-house attorney. Especially valuable for startups, SaaS companies, and growing organizations in Seattle and New York navigating contracts, compliance, and regulatory complexity.
How is a Fractional GC different from a regular business attorney? +
A traditional business attorney handles specific legal matters when you call them. A Fractional GC is proactive — they know your business, anticipate legal risks before they become problems, and act as a true strategic partner to your leadership team.
Does Gil Esq PLLC offer Fractional GC services in Seattle? +
Yes. Gil Esq PLLC serves businesses and nonprofits in Seattle, greater Washington State, and New York — with remote counsel available nationally.
What does a Fractional General Counsel cost? +
Fractional GC engagements are typically structured as a monthly retainer, making legal costs predictable and eliminating surprise invoices. Gil Esq PLLC offers flexible engagement models tailored to the size and needs of your organization. Contact us to discuss options.
Get In Touch

Let's Talk About Your Business

Schedule a consultation to discuss how Raphael can support your business or nonprofit as your Fractional General Counsel or business lawyer in Seattle and New York.

Phone
425-610-9197
Email
raphael@gil-esq.com
Location
Based in Seattle, WA
Serving Washington & New York

Gil Esq PLLC is a boutique business law firm offering Fractional General Counsel (Fractional GC) services, business legal counsel, contract negotiation, data privacy compliance, and regulatory guidance to clients in Seattle, Washington and New York. Founded by Raphael Gil, Esq. — admitted to practice in New York and Washington — the firm brings big-firm rigor with a practical, human-centered approach. To schedule a consultation visit gil-esq.com or call 425-610-9197.