Hello, I'm Richard T.

Commercial Attorney and Fractional Legal Counsel

Hey​,​ I’m Richard - founder of Lay Law and a fractional legal counsel and legal consultant. I’m a South African qualified attorney (with international experience working for UK and US based corporates) supporting founders​,​ consultants​,​ freelancers and SME's with clear​,​ practical and commercially focused legal support that aligns with how modern businesses actually operate. My background spans working in practice as a commercial and litigation attorney​,​ various in-house legal roles across different industries at different growth stages​,​ and completing a Master’s degree in Intellectual Property law - all of which have shaped my view that strong legal foundations are vital in order to prevent things from going wrong down the line. Lay Law was built as a smarter alternative to traditional law firms. Faster. Clearer. More flexible. Grounded in commercial reality - without unnecessary complexity​,​ archaic legalese or surprise bills! 🚀 What I help with: • Business & ownership structuring • Employment law & HR advisory • Contract drafting​,​ review & negotiation • IP strategy & protection • Data protection & PAIA compliance • The law encompassing AI • In-house legal training • Ongoing legal advisory & fractional counsel services 💡 I work on a flexible engagement basis​,​ offering ad-hoc support​,​ fixed-fee projects​,​ and monthly retainer arrangements (fractional or embedded legal support)​,​ depending on your needs​,​ stage and budget. Think fractional in-house counsel - senior​,​ commercial legal support without the cost or commitment of a full-time in-house hire. I leverage technology and AI to work efficiently and transparently​,​ and advise clients on the legal implications of their own use of AI. While Lay Law doesn’t conduct reserved work like litigation or conveyancing​,​ we operate at the centre of a broader advisory ecosystem​,​ working closely with a trusted network of partners across litigation​,​ conveyancing​,​ tax​,​ accounting​,​ bookkeeping​,​ AI tools & consulting​,​ coaching​,​ web development​,​ digital marketing​,​ specialised compliance and more. This allows Lay Law to function as a legal-led business consultancy​,​ helping clients access and coordinate the right expertise as their business grows. 👉 Initial consultations are free - no pressure​,​ just a practical conversation to see if we align and can help.