Outsourced general counsel for businesses that don't need their own legal department.
For more than thirty years, the Law Offices of Joel B. Albert, P.C. has helped small businesses, real estate owners, and individual clients close deals, solve problems, and stay out of trouble — with the focused attention of a solo practice and the experience of a much larger firm.
SERVING PENNSYLVANIA & NEW JERSEY · SELECT NATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS
PRACTICE AREAS
Three connected practices. One attorney.
Real estate, business transactions, and employment law overlap constantly in the life of a small business. Having one attorney who understands all three means fewer gaps, faster answers, and more coherent advice.
Business Law & Litigation
Outsourced general counsel
Contract drafting & review
Business formation & governance
Shareholder & partner disputes
Insurance coverage & bad faith
Commercial litigation
Real Estate & Transactions
Commercial leases (landlord & tenant)
Purchase & sale agreements
Seller disclosure disputes
Due diligence & title
Easements & boundary disputes
Buying & selling businesses
Employment Law
Employment & severance agreements
Employee handbooks & policies
Restrictive covenants & trade secrets
Discrimination & retaliation defense
Workforce reductions
Workplace investigations
A different way to work with a lawyer
Move forward with confidence.
Outsourcing general counsel work brings your business the advantages of experienced in-house legal counsel — without the overhead of a full-time hire.
From organizing legal structures and managing licensing and compliance, to negotiating leases, drafting contracts, handling employment matters, litigating disputes, and managing insurance and risk — having an experienced and trusted legal advisor on your team is one of the most cost-effective investments a small business can make.
Joel B. Albert serves as outside general counsel to small and mid-sized businesses across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and — for select clients — nationally.
HOW WE WORK
Three engagement models. Pick what fits.
Most small businesses don't need a full-time in-house attorney, but they do need consistent access to one. Engagements are structured around how the business actually operates — not how a law firm prefers to bill.
Option one
Monthly retainer
Ongoing access for the recurring legal questions every small business runs into: contract reviews, employee issues, vendor disputes, the occasional emergency. Predictable monthly fee, no surprise invoices, direct line to Joel.
BEST FOR
Established businesses that need a lawyer on call for the issues that come up across the year.
Option two
Flat-fee project
For defined work with a clear scope — drafting an employee handbook, negotiating a commercial lease, structuring a business sale, reviewing a franchise disclosure document. You know the cost up front, and so does the firm.
BEST FOR
A specific matter that needs to get done, with a budget you can plan around.
Option three
Hourly engagement
For one-off matters or litigation where the scope can't be defined in advance. Straightforward hourly rate, itemized invoices, no junior associates running up the bill. Most engagements begin with a retainer applied against time worked.
BEST FOR
Litigation, disputes, or matters where the path forward depends on how things develop.
ABOUT JOEL
Thirty years of helping clients make deals, solve problems, and manage risk.
Joel B. Albert is a Pennsylvania and New Jersey attorney with more than thirty years of experience helping clients across real estate, professional services, manufacturing, retail, food and beverage, health care, insurance, government contracting, financing, transportation, and technology.
Before establishing the Law Offices of Joel B. Albert, P.C., Joel spent eight years with an established Philadelphia firm representing insurers and corporate and private clients. Today, his clients receive the depth of experience associated with a large-firm practice, with the personal attention and reasonable rates of a solo office.
Joel works directly with every client. There are no associates handing off matters and no surprises about who is handling the work.
30+
Years of practice in PA & NJ
8
Years at an established Philadelphia firm before going solo
1
Attorney handling your matter from start to finish
I own several different businesses and have used Joel's legal services for a variety of different issues. He is always professional, thorough, smart and fair. He has a unique ability to see things clearly and get to the heart of the matter. He is always looking three and four steps down the road with an eye towards settling matters quickly to avoid unnecessary legal bills. I have no hesitation recommending Joel Albert for any legal matter.
“
Jim
Small business owner, Montgomery County
“
Sure, lawyers are a dime a dozen but I can say without hesitation that Joel is one of the most qualified lawyer within the City of Philadelphia and I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone in need of legal services. Joel has done an exceptional job in providing legal service to my family and getting us through hard time with unfair and bad faith insurance companies. Joel is well-organized, precise, and prompt, with high dedication to client-service and catering to the need of his clients on a very detailed level.
Jeannie
Policyholder, Chester County
“
My experience with Mr. Albert was a very positive one. He communicated with me on a timely basis and thoroughly responded to all of my questions. He was courteous, knowledgeable and professional. I highly recommend his services.
Miquel
Business owner, Philadelphia
WHAT CLIENTS SAY