After reviewing numerous blogs, a few things caught my attention. If it is the intention to eventually go public, the structure should follow what is typically recognized. These positions would be from the top down, the Chairman, Vice Chairman, CEO, President, General Counsel, President of Operations, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, VP of Marketing, VP of Product Development, etc. All positions report to the Chairman/Vice-Chairman and CEO. Except for the General Counsel, the Board of Directors determine who reports to who thereunder as there may be various Presidents for different divisions, departments, subsidiaries. The GC usually is the watchdog, 1st & last line of defense; protecting first the Company and it's stockholders, then making sure each Director & Officer plays nice and doesn't disresepct the company or their position. They report directly to the Chairman and CEO. They must work hand-in hand with the other Directors. But ultimately they are the "knight of the castle" protecting the castle as without the castle there is no "kingdom". Or in the case at hand, the business. Chief Legal Counsel usually answer only to the GC and are assigned specific duties for a specific department. (i.e. Chief Legal Counsel to President of Operations, Chief LC to CFO, Chief LC to [Subsidiary Name]).