What is the biggest challenge your company is Facing?
you want to increase profit
you have a difficult contract negotiation
you want to increase profit
We provide fractional COO & General Counsel services focused on implementing systematic improvements that increase profitability. Steve integrates legal solutions with business operations to unlock your company's true profit potential.
you are facing a lawsuit
you have a difficult contract negotiation
you want to increase profit
With deep experience as a federal and state court trial lawyer, C-Suite executive, and business attorney, Steve finds business-to-business solutions that avoid the lost time and financial expense of litigation so you get back to business.
you have a difficult contract negotiation
you have a difficult contract negotiation
you have a difficult contract negotiation
As a Harvard Law Certified Advanced Negotiation Master with 25+ years experience in complex U.S. and international business negotiations , Steve intervenes to have the difficult conversation and reframe & restructure negotiations to achieve solutions.
High Value Contract Negotiations & Dispute Resolution
Flex-time Outside General Counsel
Flex-time Outside General Counsel
Flex-time Outside General Counsel
Protect personal and corporate interests with a flex-time General Counsel and COO without FTE overhead. Trusted fiduciary, business advisor & attorney with 25+ years of experience working with multi-million dollar family owned and privately held companies. Monthly flat-fee.
- Business & Corporate Law
- Board Advisor
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Acquisitions and Sales
- Contract Ecosystem
- HR/Employment Law
- Claims & Dispute Resolution
- Litigation Management & Support
- Insurance Coverage & Claims
- Environmental Laws & Regulation
We integrate business and legal/regulatory applications to offer solutions that are both practical and profitable, tailored to your organizational mission and risk/reward model.
Better Contracts = Better Profits
Flex-time Outside General Counsel
Flex-time Outside General Counsel
Contracts are the backbone of any business. Your profit is in the details of your contracts. We offer contract ecosystem improvements that can increase your net profitability. From negotiations in the bid stage to contract drafting in award stage to post-award contract audit and management, we proactively negotiate and draft better contracts for a variety of companies. We also perform contract ecosystem audits. Studies show companies lose 9.2% of contract value annually. Multiply your annual contract volume by 9.2% to understand the impact contract value leaks can have on your bottom line. We systematically identify contract value leaks and provide solutions to boost net profitability.
High Value Contracts
Proactively negotiate & draft clear contracts that avoid legal disputes and optimize cash flow. Business industries include Construction. Manufacturing, Real Estate, Healthcare, and Hospitality.
Complex Dispute Resolution
Flex-time Outside General Counsel
Enterprise Risk & Crisis Mgmt
$100,000 or more in Dispute?
Dispute Resolution Avoiding Legal Action
Business
Construction
Healthcare
Environmental
Manufacturing
Real Estate
Business litigation is caused by a bad relationship, a bad contract, or both. We integrate relationship expectations into the contract details to help you achieve optimal net profitability and help avoid costly litigation.
Enterprise Risk & Crisis Mgmt
Enterprise Risk & Crisis Mgmt
Enterprise Risk & Crisis Mgmt
Whether a solution for a single crisis or an organizational policy/practice, our team of legal and health care professionals offer more than 40 years of combined risk management experience.
Claims & Dispute Resolution
Enterprise Risk & Crisis Mgmt
Claims & Dispute Resolution
Have a construction claim or business dispute? As an experienced C-Suite executive and trial lawyer, Steve can provide a fresh perspective for early dispute resolution to optimize your net recovery. If your claim or dispute seems stuck in litigation, we can offer a second opinion or intervene as Resolution Counsel working with your current trial attorney.
GiveMe50 for Veterans
Enterprise Risk & Crisis Mgmt
Claims & Dispute Resolution
Steve donates at least 50 hours annually for U.S. Veterans by providing negotiation coaching and legal advice solutions.
Essential Counsel Attorney Steve SchinkeR
Fractional General Counsel & COO
25 Yrs Proactive, Practical Business, Contract & ADR Solutions
25 Yrs Proactive, Practical Business, Contract & ADR Solutions
A perfect solution for family owned and mid-market businesses. GC & COO expertise without FTE overhead. Focus is on operational integration of complex laws, rules, and regulations tailored to increase cash flow and net profitability.
5 Value-Add Reasons
1. Flat Fee Subscription
CFO's love predictable, budget-friendly flat fees.
2. Speed, Availability, Precision
CEOs love same-day response plus accurate advice and practical solutions without hourly billing.
3. Business & Legal Solutions
Through a lens of business & legal experience using active listening, we offer tailored holistic solutions.
4. Profitability & Cash Flow
Integrated GC & COO perspective is infused on every touchpoint from contract ecosystem to daily ops.
5. Profit is in the Details
We use proven methodologies to scrutinize details and identify, optimize, and monetize value.
Schedule an Appointment
Email: steve@essentialcounsel.com
Arizona, Colorado, Florida:
303-319-2924
Wisconsin:
715-573-2077
Lawyer Advertising Disclaimer: Interview an attorney before hiring. Using a website or sending an e-mail does not create an attorney-client relationship. Call Essential Counsel by phone to ensure that we are a good fit to represent you.
25 Yrs Proactive, Practical Business, Contract & ADR Solutions
25 Yrs Proactive, Practical Business, Contract & ADR Solutions
25 Yrs Proactive, Practical Business, Contract & ADR Solutions
Nearly 60% of M&A deals fail, attributing contracts and operational integration as primary causes.
Let's talk about solutions!
As attorney advisor for business deals or resolving business disputes, Steve Schinker serves clients as a fiduciary attorney working in the client's best interest.
1. A proactive approach to negotiating and drafting clear contracts that integrate client objectives helps avoid liability, minimize risk, and foster sustainable business relationships.
2. Contract law expertise for buying/selling business assets, healthcare, tech, construction, manufacturing, real estate, etc.
3. Get back to business with early B2B alternatives versus expensive and time-consuming litigation. We explore dispute resolution through direct negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or state-specific business courts.
Communities Served
25 Yrs Proactive, Practical Business, Contract & ADR Solutions
Communities Served
As a USAF veteran, Steve supports all communities served through volunteer and financial support.
Arizona
Scottsdale ~ Tucson
303-319-2924
Colorado
Denver Metro ~ Colorado Springs
Fort Collins ~ Durango
303-319-2924
Florida
Fort Myers ~ Jacksonville
Tampa ~ Vero Beach
303-319-2924
Wisconsin
Madison ~ Milwaukee
Minocqua ~ Wausau
715-573-2077
Education
Cert. Advanced Negotiation Master
Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation
J.D. with Distinction
WMU-Thomas Cooley Law
LL.M. in Environmental Law
Pace University School of Law
Member
State Bars of AZ, CO, FL, WI
U.S. District Courts in CO & WI
World Commerce Contracting
Past Wisconsin State Bar Board
Adjunct Professor Experience
MBA Strategic Business Planning
Business Law & Ethics
Univ. of Wisconsin System
Memberships
