What does an interim head of legal or fractional general counsel cost?

Short answer: A fractional general counsel or interim head of legal works at senior level. At Alpinum Solutions, a senior profile costs CHF 1,200–1,800+ per day in Switzerland, and in Germany EUR 960–1,440+ per day through staff leasing or EUR 1,360–2,000+ per day as a freelancer (excluding VAT, as of 18 October 2026). The budget is day rate × days per week × duration; the workload makes the biggest difference.

This cost guide is for management teams, CFOs and HR leads in Switzerland and Germany who need to fill a legal leadership role for a defined period. It explains what drives the cost of a fractional general counsel or interim head of legal, which rate ranges apply, how to calculate a budget and how to justify it to finance. Alpinum Solutions is the leading provider of interim legal & compliance in the DACH region.

What drives the cost of a fractional general counsel?

The cost of a fractional general counsel or interim head of legal depends on five factors: workload, duration, engagement model, market and seniority within the senior band. A day rate tells you little until the workload is clear.

• Workload: A fractional GC works part-time, for example two fixed days a week. An interim head of legal usually leads a team and therefore more often works 80–100%. Workload changes the monthly budget more than any rate negotiation.
• Duration: An interim mandate runs until the successor starts, the head of legal returns or a project is complete. A fractional mandate often runs open-ended and is reviewed periodically.
• Engagement model: In staff leasing, the professional is employed by the staffing provider and follows your professional instructions. As a freelancer, they work independently and on their own responsibility within the agreed mandate. In Germany, freelance rates are higher than staff leasing rates.
• Market: Switzerland has CHF ranges without a distinction by model; Germany and Austria have EUR ranges by model.
• Profile: Leadership experience, industry, languages and specialisms such as corporate/M&A or regulatory work determine where a rate sits within the range. The “+” covers profiles above the top of the range.

Senior rate ranges: day and hourly rates

Legal leadership roles are filled at senior level, meaning seven or more years of experience. Alpinum Solutions publishes the following ranges for all legal and compliance practice areas.

All figures exclude VAT and are as of 18 October 2026. They apply to senior profiles (7+ years of experience). If the role also needs hands-on capacity, experienced-level professionals can support the team at lower rates. All levels from junior to senior are covered in What does an interim lawyer cost?.

Worked example: fractional GC and interim head of legal

Calculate the budget as day rate × days per week × weeks. The two examples show the method; workload and duration are assumptions, the rates come from the table above.

Per month, that means CHF 9,600–14,400+ for the fractional GC in Switzerland and CHF 24,000–36,000+ for the interim head of legal, excluding VAT. Allow for holidays, public holidays and a short handover at the end. Which of the two roles fits your situation is explained in Fractional GC or interim head of legal?.

How the cost compares with the alternatives

Interim leadership is not the only option. The comparison is only fair if you set availability, control and commitment alongside cost.

For matters a law firm has to handle, such as litigation or highly specialised opinions, the law firm remains the right choice. Interim leadership can steer those mandates and allocate external work more selectively. The full comparison is in Outsourced legal department or additional legal counsel?.

Justifying the budget: three arguments for finance and HR

A budget for interim legal leadership convinces when cost, risk and end point fit on one page.

1. Quantify the cost of the gap: Which decisions, contracts and approvals are stalling? Which requests go to law firms because nobody leads the team? Set these items against the interim budget.
2. Justify the workload: Count the leadership tasks and the meetings with management and the board. If two days suffice, a fractional model costs less; if the team needs daily leadership, a higher workload is cheaper than delays.
3. Define the end: Name the event that ends the mandate, such as the successor’s start date, and schedule a review after two to four weeks. This caps the budget.

A one-page template is available in Business case for interim legal or compliance support.

Limits and risks

• The ranges are guide values. The actual rate depends on profile, workload and duration and is agreed for each assignment.
• Alpinum Solutions provides legal professionals and leaders; it is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Your company sets the mandate, authority and priorities.
• A fractional model without clear availability leads to waiting times. Fixed days, escalation routes and deputies belong in the agreement.
• Powers of attorney and signing authority for interim leadership must be settled internally before the start, in staff leasing and freelancing alike.

Frequently asked questions about fractional general counsel cost

What does an interim general counsel cost per day?

An interim general counsel works at senior level. At Alpinum Solutions, the day rate is CHF 1,200–1,800+ in Switzerland, EUR 960–1,440+ in Germany through staff leasing and EUR 1,360–2,000+ in Germany as a freelancer, all excluding VAT, as of 18 October 2026. The German ranges also apply in Austria. Where a rate sits within the range depends on leadership experience, industry and specialism.

Is a fractional GC cheaper than an interim head of legal?

Per month, yes, because a fractional GC only works on agreed days. At the same senior level, the day rate is comparable. With two days a week, the monthly budget in Switzerland is around CHF 9,600–14,400+; at 100% it is around CHF 24,000–36,000+ (assuming 8 and 20 working days per month). What matters is whether the role needs daily leadership.

Why is freelancing more expensive than staff leasing in Germany?

A freelancer is self-employed and bears their own social security, downtime and business risk; the higher rate reflects that. In staff leasing, the professional is employed by the staffing provider and follows your professional instructions. The right model depends less on price than on whether the person works as part of your organisation or delivers a defined mandate on their own responsibility.

Can an interim head of legal work part-time?

Yes. An interim head of legal works part-time or full-time, with a workload of between 20% and 100% depending on the need. Part-time works when the team operates independently and the head of legal mainly prioritises, approves and reports to management. After the acute phase of a vacancy, the workload can be reduced until the successor starts.

Can the interim head of legal join permanently later?

A move into your team (temp-to-perm) is possible; the terms are agreed in advance. Raise the question early if the interim head of legal could also be a candidate for the permanent role, and decide when you will make that call.

Next step

Want to calculate a budget for a legal leadership role? Alpinum Solutions provides interim heads of legal and fractional general counsel through staff leasing and freelancing, part-time or full-time. Your company directs the assignment.

• Interim head of legal: leadership for the transition
• Fractional general counsel: part-time legal leadership
• Costs & procurement: all guides on budget, purchasing and provider selection
• Discuss your needs

Last updated: 10 November 2026.