TRAVERSE CITY, MI / ACCESS Newswire / January 29, 2026 / Veteran attorney and legal strategist Anne Marie Engel has announced the launch of her independent practice, offering services as of counsel and fractional general counsel to law firms, businesses, and organizations navigating increasing legal, regulatory, and operational complexity.

After years leading Crowned Legal and advising across litigation, governance, and compliance matters, Engel is shifting away from a traditional firm-centric model in favor of a more flexible, high-impact role. Her focus is on supporting organizations that need seasoned legal insight without the overhead or rigidity of full-time counsel.

"I am not interested in building a conventional firm for its own sake," Engel said. "What organizations increasingly need is perspective. They need someone who can step in, see the full picture, and help them untangle issues before they become crises, or stabilize them once they already have."

A Strategic Response to a Changing Legal Landscape

Engel's move reflects a broader shift within the legal profession, as law firms and businesses seek experienced counsel who can operate at the intersection of strategy, risk, and execution. In her of counsel capacity, Engel works alongside litigation teams, leadership groups, and boards to provide independent analysis, discovery support, legal audits, and case strategy. As a fractional general counsel, she partners directly with organizations to identify vulnerabilities, strengthen internal systems, and improve decision-making before disputes arise.

Her work is particularly relevant for organizations facing regulatory scrutiny, operational strain, or high-stakes litigation where fresh eyes and disciplined structure can materially alter outcomes.

Introducing Accountability Architecture

At the center of Engel's approach is a proprietary framework she calls Accountability Architecture, a system designed to rebuild trust within legal and organizational environments by clarifying responsibility, aligning incentives, and reducing ambiguity.

Rather than focusing solely on compliance after problems surface, Accountability Architecture emphasizes prevention, transparency, and disciplined governance. The framework helps organizations understand how legal risk accumulates, where accountability breaks down, and how to create durable structures that support ethical and effective leadership.

"Most legal problems are not caused by a single bad decision," Engel explained. "They emerge from systems that allow confusion, diffusion of responsibility, or unchecked assumptions. Accountability Architecture is about fixing the system, not just reacting to the symptom."

Designed for Collaboration, Not Control

Unlike traditional advisory models, Engel's independent practice is built for collaboration. She works with existing legal teams rather than replacing them, offering support during discovery-heavy litigation phases, pre-trial preparation, or complex regulatory reviews. Her role is intentionally flexible, allowing organizations to scale her involvement based on need.

This structure also allows Engel to serve both law firms and businesses without conflicts of interest, providing objective guidance grounded in decades of experience.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As organizations prepare for heightened regulatory enforcement, economic uncertainty, and increased scrutiny of governance practices, Engel believes the demand for experienced, independent legal partners will only grow.

"2026 is shaping up to be a year where organizations want to clean up their structures, their processes, and their exposure," Engel said. "My goal is to help them do that thoughtfully, before pressure forces rushed decisions."

Anne Marie Engel is currently available for of counsel engagements, fractional general counsel partnerships, and strategic legal advisory roles nationwide. She is also holding a conference Fiduciary First: AI Ethics and Professional Renewal in the beautiful Traverse City, Michigan on Friday, June 12, 2026. You can learn more about her offerings and connect with her here.

Schedule an appointment: https://calendly.com/engel-annemarie/innovate-with-legal

Media Contact:

Name:Anne Marie Engel
Location: Traverse City Michigan
Email: annemarieengel.attorney@gmail.com

SOURCE: Anne Marie Engel