Sr. Counsel

Company: Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Location: Irvine
Posted on: January 13, 2021

Job Description:

Overview:The Senior Counsel, Real Estate Legal position is a full-time position primarily responsible for providing legal counsel, strategy and direction on a wide variety of real estate matters associated with new restaurant locations. Leadership responsibilities include, but are not limited to, managing a large number of real estate transactions from LOI through restaurant opening by working closely with internal business partners and outside counsel and providing related legal counsel to Chick-fil-A, Inc. and its affiliated entities as well as outside professionals.This position is based in our California Support Center.Responsibilities:* Provide strategic direction and expert knowledge to advise, make decisions, and independently lead, influence and support a regional New Restaurant Growth team.* Analyze and direct strategy on legal due diligence (title, leases, survey, environmental, entitlements, etc.)* Review, negotiate and provide in-depth input for drafting purchase contracts, ground leases, space leases, work letters, easements, amendments, closing documents, etc.* Collaborate with other in-house counsel and paralegals on real estate matters that are impacted by other areas of law such as Franchise, Regulatory, Litigation, etc.* Assist Director-Level Counsel of the Real Estate Legal New Restaurants Team in providing day-to-day direction, strategy and legal advice to the business on issues impacting the company's real estate assets.* Advise on legal matters impacting acquisition, construction, development and operation of restaurant* properties primarily prior to opening of the restaurant.* Lead or partner with cross-functional teams and attend leadership, strategy, and execution meetings to provide legal advice to business partners across the organization relating to the company's real estate assets.* Independently manage projects and initiatives with the New Restaurant Growth Department that impact the company's new restaurant development.* Lead efforts to prepare and update forms and processes as needed and prepare other communications to support the business.* Support Chick-fil-A's new real estate growth and real estate portfolio by continuing to help develop and advise on various policies, processes and systems.* Lead (with Director supervision) efforts of identifying and on-boarding outside counsel and manage outside legal counsel work and costs.* Lead and develop, training programs, and materials for business teams regarding the company's real estate strategy and portfolio.* Develop and implement legal technology solutions for capturing and reporting real estate asset information for use by the Restaurant Development Department.* Participate in various administrative matters, such as planning, budgeting and strategy for the Legal Department and Real Estate Legal.* Attend outside seminars and other business-related events related to issues relevant to the role; stay current on real estate law in the quick-service restaurant and retail industry.Minimum Qualifications:* Eight (8) years of experience in transactional real estate law.* Four (4) year college degree.* Law degree from accredited law school.* State Bar membership.* Demonstrated academic success in law school (top 25% of class).Preferred Qualifications:* Large law firm and/or relevant boutique experience, and/or focused in-house corporate experience.* Business or legal experience in transactional real estate or retail real estate, such as a degree and/or prior work experience in a related field or legal practice.* Passion for innovation and change management.* Strong communication skills.* Strong writing and editing skills.* Ability to identify and set priorities.* Strong organizational skills.* High level of initiative and desire to work with an in-house legal department.* Strong experience in building teams, creating and improving processes and producing work product that aligns with corporate goals.* Ability to serve leadership and supporting roles in cross-functional projects and/or on cross-functional teams.* Competence in the use of technological systems and standard MS office applications.* Excellent planning and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple, simultaneous and shifting demands, priorities and tight deadlines.Minimum Years of Experience: 8 Travel Requirements: 15% Required Level of Education: JD Degree

Keywords: Chick-fil-A, Inc., Irvine , Sr. Counsel, Legal , Irvine, California