The term "outside counsel" refers to attorneys or law firms that are hired by a company, government agency, or individual to provide legal advice and representation in a particular matter. This means that instead of having an in-house legal team, the client will seek assistance from external legal professionals when they need specialized legal services. Outside counsel can be brought on board for various reasons such as lack of expertise in house, high workload or to provide objective advice. The relationship between outside counsel and their clients is typically governed by a written agreement that outlines the scope of work, fees, and expectations.