Independent General Counsel Services

For Proprietary Trading Firms, Hedge Funds & Independent Traders

What is an independent (fractional) General Counsel?

An independent (or fractional) GC works in an outsourced capacity; hired on an as-needed or part time basis. Compensated on a flat fee or competitive hourly rate fee structure. Ad hoc legal requests are welcome.

An Independent GC differs from an in-house attorney often compensated with salary + bonus + benefits on a full time basis. It also differs from large, traditional law firms with high hourly rates often lacking a holistic understanding of the client.

At IGC Services, we aim to provide strategic, risk-based, cost-effective counsel focused on the firm as a whole.

Get in Touch:

hilary.decarlo@independentgcservices.com

‪(708) 512-4486‬

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How can IGC Services help?

Trading

  • Clearing Agreement Review

  • Market Data and Software License Review

  • Co-location Agreement Review

  • Credit Lines and RBMF Review

  • SIFMA MRA, GMRA, and MSFTA Annex I Review

  • ISDA Master Agreement Schedule Review

  • Exchange Membership

  • Exchange Agreements: incentive programs, market data, and position limit exemption applications

Regulatory & Compliance

  • Exchange and Regulator Compliance

  • Compliance Manual Drafting (Foreign and Domestic Exchanges, CFTC, SEC, and FERC Compliance)

  • Inquiry responses and exchange interviews and hearings

  • Communicate with regulators and SROs

  • Exchange Membership Maintenance

Corporate Governance and Entity Structuring

  • Operating Agreements, Partnership Agreements

  • Entity formation

  • Strategic corporate structuring

  • Multinational corporate governance documentation

  • Equity Owner and Partner Subscriptions and Redemptions

  • Intercompany documentation (expense sharing agreements, IP Licenses, Hardware Leases)

Employment & General Counsel

  • Management advisement on strategic decisions and risk impact

  • Employment Agreements and Amendments

  • Employee Separation Agreements

  • Candidate Non-Compete Review

  • Liaison with outside counsel on F-1 (via OPT/CPT and STEM), H-1B and J-1 visas and PERMs

  • Regulator and State mandated employee trainings

Meet the GC

Meet the GC

Hilary has over 10 years of industry experience as a former in-house general counsel specializing in the trading industry in addition to domestic and international corporate structuring, employment law, and regulatory and compliance.

She takes a business first, risk-based analytical approach. She focuses on solution, strategy, and collaboration.


  • Education

    • DePaul University College of Law, JD

    • Radboud University, LL.M

    Bar Admissions

    • Illinois

    • Georgia

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Frequently Asked Questions

    • Firms or individuals in the trading industry with a need for in-house legal support (whether they have an in-house legal team or none at all) or those with one-off legal needs. They may be sensitive to increasing law firm hourly rates.

    • Firms with periods of influx in work load for their in-house legal team.

    • Firms needing coverage for their current in-house counsel during a leave of absence (medical, parental leave, sabbatical, etc.).

  • An independent (or fractional) GC works in an outsourced capacity; hired on an as-needed or part time basis. Compensated on a flat fee or competitive hourly rate fee structure.

    An independent GC is distinguishable from an in-house attorney often compensated with salary + bonus + benefits on a full time basis. It also differs from traditional law firms with high hourly rates often lacking a holistic understanding of the client.

    At IGC Services, we aim to provide strategic, risk-based, cost-effective counsel focused on the firm as a whole.

  • IGC Services works with its clients to find a fee structure that works best for them. This may include an agreed upon flat rate fee on a project by project basis, committed monthly hours at an agreed upon base rate, or competitive hourly rates for individual legal needs.

  • IGC Services aims to understand its clients holistically and to provide strategic, risk-based, cost-effective counsel focused on the entire firm without the price tag of traditional law firms.

Get In Touch

Get in Touch

Let’s connect to explore how our services can support your needs.

Contact Us