The Corporate Attorney will work under the direction and supervision of the Director of Legal Affairs, who will manage the Legal Department and retain primary responsibility for the Company’s legal affairs. The primary areas of focus will be commercial contracts, litigation management, and labor and employment matters. The position will also assist the Director of Legal Affairs with other legal matters and departmental initiatives as assigned, helping ensure the efficient management of the Legal Department’s day-to-day operations.
Approximately 65% of the role will be dedicated to commercial contracts, litigation management, and labor and employment matters, with the remaining 35% devoted to supporting the Director of Legal Affairs across the Company’s other legal functions.
Primary Responsibilities
Commercial Contracts
- Draft, review, negotiate, and administer a wide range of commercial agreements, including vendor, supply, services, marketing, confidentiality, information technology, franchise, and construction agreements.
- Identify contractual risks and advise business stakeholders regarding the legal and practical implications of proposed terms.
- Ensure agreements comply with applicable federal and state laws, Company policies, and established contracting standards.
- Provide guidance regarding contract interpretation, enforceability, performance obligations, and disputes.
- Develop, update, and maintain contract templates, playbooks, and standardized provisions.
- Assist with tracking material contractual obligations, expiration dates, and renewal deadlines.
Litigation Management
- Assist the Director of Legal Affairs in managing pre-litigation disputes, litigation, arbitration, mediation, and other contested matters.
- Coordinate with and oversee the day-to-day work of outside counsel, subject to the Director’s supervision.
- Review pleadings, discovery requests and responses, settlement agreements, legal correspondence, and proposed litigation strategies.
- Assist with internal investigations, document preservation, discovery collection, and mediation and arbitration preparation.
- Track litigation deadlines, case developments, budgets, and outside legal spend.
- Provide the Director of Legal Affairs with timely matter updates, risk assessments, and recommended next steps.
Labor and Employment
- Assist the Director of Legal Affairs and Human Resources with employee investigations and other workplace matters.
- Review proposed disciplinary actions, terminations, and other employment decisions for legal risk.
- Draft and review separation agreements, employment-related correspondence, policies, and other labor and employment documents.
- Research and provide practical legal guidance regarding workplace and employment issues.
- Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local labor and employment laws.
- Assist with employment claims, agency charges, demand letters, and employment-related litigation.
Additional Legal Support
The Corporate Attorney will provide support across the Company’s other legal functions, including franchise matters, operational legal issues, corporate governance, compliance initiatives, insurance claims, regulatory matters, customer disputes, promotional and advertising reviews, and general legal support for the Company’s business departments. The Junior Corporate Counsel will also assist, as needed, with real estate, leasing, construction, and development matters through document review, legal research, due diligence, correspondence, and coordination with outside counsel.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
- Attorney (in good standing) licensed to practice law in the State of Texas (any additional licenses are a plus).
- 1-3 years of legal experience, with significant focus on contract law and corporate governance (in-house or law firm background).
- Experience supporting multiple business functions in a corporate environment is preferred.
- Excellent negotiation, drafting, and communication skills.
- Strong business acumen with ability to balance legal risk and business objectives.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong PC skills (Microsoft Office) as well as the ability to navigate and use business systems software
- English and Spanish proficiency is preferred.