Answers to the Questions
We Hear Most
If you’re wondering whether we’re the right fit, this is a good place to start.
Who We Are
What is the DuRoss Group?
The DuRoss Group is a strategic advisory and operations consulting firm built for the legal services industry. I provide advisory retainers, project-based engagements, and Fractional COO services to court reporting agencies, legal services companies, small law firms, and legal tech companies.
What makes your approach different?
Twenty years inside the industry. Every department, every role, every type of company. I understand the sense of urgency behind every click and process in this business, and I bring that to every engagement.
Are you a solo consultant?
I work solo with the support of a curated network of professionals for services outside my scope. If your needs point somewhere else, I’ll tell you and connect you with the right person.
What do clients say about working with you?
The most common thing I hear is relief. A collective exhale. Most clients tell me they wonder what they’d do without the DuRoss Group, and the fact that most of them have been with me for years says more than I ever could.
What do clients say about working with you?
The most common thing I hear is relief. A collective exhale. Most clients tell me they wonder what they’d do without the DuRoss Group, and the fact that most of them have been with me for years says more than I ever could.
How do I know if we're a good fit?
Do you find yourself having more questions than answers? A to-do list that can never get accomplished and an even longer wish list of fixes or changes that can never be thought through, let alone implemented? If you’re a court reporting agency, legal services company, small law firm, or legal tech company, and you’re carrying a known problem you can’t get to, schedule a complimentary discovery call. We’ll know quickly whether I’m the right person for it.
How do I know if we're a good fit?
Do you find yourself having more questions than answers? A to-do list that can never get accomplished and an even longer wish list of fixes or changes that can never be thought through, let alone implemented? If you’re a court reporting agency, legal services company, small law firm, or legal tech company, and you’re carrying a known problem you can’t get to, schedule a complimentary discovery call. We’ll know quickly whether I’m the right person for it.
Services & Expertise
What services do you offer?
Strategic Advisory Retainers at three access levels, Project-Based Engagements for defined deliverables, and Fractional COO engagements for companies ready for deep operational transformation.
Do you offer both strategy and implementation?
Yes, depending on the engagement. Advisory retainers are strategy and access. Project work includes implementation at the level scoped. Fractional COO is the deepest level of implementation I offer.
Can you help with efficiency and profitability?
Efficiency is my true specialty. Wasted minutes add up, and overwhelm is one of the top reasons companies lose great employees and stall on innovation. I believe happy employees equal a growing company, and I build systems that support both.
Can you help with efficiency and profitability?
Efficiency is my true specialty. Wasted minutes add up, and overwhelm is one of the top reasons companies lose great employees and stall on innovation. I believe happy employees equal a growing company, and I build systems that support both.
Do you work with startups?
Yes. The systems I put in place for startups work to scale. Getting organized early saves significant time, money, and stress as you grow.
Do you work with startups?
Yes. The systems I put in place for startups work to scale. Getting organized early saves significant time, money, and stress as you grow.
How We Work
What does the engagement process look like?
Discovery call, scope agreement, NDA, and engagement letter signed, then work begins. For retainers, onboarding takes less than a week. Projects are scoped before any work starts.
How often do we meet?
It depends on your retainer level. Advisory Access has no regular meetings, and communication is asynchronous through emails and texts. Advisory + Strategy includes one 60-minute call per month. Partnership includes two 60-minute calls per month. Fractional COO includes weekly or biweekly leadership syncs, meetings, and calls as needed.
What are your communication hours?
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Preferred meeting days are Tuesday through Thursday, with other days left for project completion and admin duties. I respond to all messages within 24 to 48 hours, though typical response time is much faster, often within a few hours outside of scheduled meetings.
Do you travel or work onsite?
The majority of my work is done remotely via Zoom. I’m available for travel and onsite visits for an additional fee.
Do you travel or work onsite?
The majority of my work is done remotely via Zoom. I’m available for travel and onsite visits for an additional fee.
How do we get started?
Schedule a complimentary 30-minute discovery call. If we’re a fit, I’ll send a scope agreement and NDA. Once both are signed, work begins.
How do we get started?
Schedule a complimentary 30-minute discovery call. If we’re a fit, I’ll send a scope agreement and NDA. Once both are signed, work begins.
Will you manage our employees or daily operations?
No.
Will you manage our employees or daily operations?
No.
Pricing & Structure
How are your services priced?
Advisory retainers are billed monthly across three access levels. Fractional COO is a higher monthly engagement, scaled to the size of the company and its needs. Projects are quoted individually based on scope. You can see full pricing for every option on the Services page.
Is there a long-term commitment?
Retainers are month-to-month and can be cancelled with 15 days’ written notice. Projects have a defined scope and timeline.
Can I change my retainer level?
Yes, at any time. Upgrades or downgrades take effect on the next billing cycle.
Can I change my retainer level?
Yes, at any time. Upgrades or downgrades take effect on the next billing cycle.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes. A mutual NDA is signed at the start of every engagement. Anything learned in our working relationship stays confidential.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes. A mutual NDA is signed at the start of every engagement. Anything learned in our working relationship stays confidential.
Fractional COO
What is a Fractional COO?
A Fractional COO is an experienced executive who works with your company on a part-time, short-term basis to provide operational leadership without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire. I step in, build the systems and structure your company needs, and hand off a company that runs better without my ongoing involvement.
How is a Fractional COO engagement different from a retainer?
A retainer is advisory. I advise; you implement. Fractional COO is operational, and I become embedded in your leadership, co-owning outcomes and driving transformation from the inside.
How long is a typical Fractional COO engagement?
3 to 9 months. Structured in phases: audit, implementation, metrics build-out, and handoff.
How long is a typical Fractional COO engagement?
3 to 9 months. Structured in phases: audit, implementation, metrics build-out, and handoff.
What happens when my Fractional COO engagement ends?
You leave with documented systems, a trained team, and, if useful, an advisory retainer to maintain access without the full engagement.
What happens when my Fractional COO engagement ends?
You leave with documented systems, a trained team, and, if useful, an advisory retainer to maintain access without the full engagement.
Strategic Advisory Retainers
What is a strategic advisory retainer?
Ongoing executive-level access to me, without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire. You get a sounding board and strategic guidance on the problems as they come up, billed monthly across three access levels.
What's the difference between the three levels?
They scale by how involved you want me to be. Advisory Access is quick calls, emails, and texts whenever you need a sounding board. Advisory + Strategy adds a standing monthly meeting to work on company initiatives and improvements. Partnership adds a second monthly meeting and direct access for your leadership team. Every level includes priority scheduling on project work. For full details, request the services menu or book a discovery call.
Who is a retainer best for?
Owners and operators who don’t need a full transformation but want experienced eyes on their operation, someone to think through decisions with before they make them.
Who is a retainer best for?
Owners and operators who don’t need a full transformation but want experienced eyes on their operation, someone to think through decisions with before they make them.
Can I start with a retainer and move to something bigger?
Yes. Many clients begin with advisory access, then scale up to a project or fractional COO engagement once we’ve identified the priority. You can change levels at any time.
Can I start with a retainer and move to something bigger?
Yes. Many clients begin with advisory access, then scale up to a project or fractional COO engagement once we’ve identified the priority. You can change levels at any time.
Project-Based Engagements
What is a project-based engagement?
A defined piece of work with a clear scope, deliverable, and end date. For the specific thing that’s been sitting on the list too long, not an open-ended commitment.
What kinds of projects do you take on?
Process design, systems documentation, billing and production workflows, rate analysis, software evaluation, and similar operational fixes. If it’s a known problem with a definable outcome, it can usually be scoped as a project.
How is a project different from a retainer?
A retainer is ongoing access and advice. A project is a one-time, scoped deliverable with a beginning and an end. Projects are quoted individually based on scope. Request a quote and I’ll send a written estimate before any work begins.
How is a project different from a retainer?
A retainer is ongoing access and advice. A project is a one-time, scoped deliverable with a beginning and an end. Projects are quoted individually based on scope. Request a quote and I’ll send a written estimate before any work begins.
What do I walk away with?
The completed deliverable, documented so your team can run with it. If you want ongoing support afterward, the project can roll into a retainer.
What do I walk away with?
The completed deliverable, documented so your team can run with it. If you want ongoing support afterward, the project can roll into a retainer.
Beyond the Record
What is Beyond the Record?
Beyond the Record is the educational arm of the DuRoss Group. It’s a free resource hub and webinar series for court reporters, students, and legal professionals. It’s separate from my consulting work, but the insights and industry pulse it provides directly inform what we do here.