Lead Counsel - Americas

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary :

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, the Lead Counsel, Americas , is the strategic legal lead for the company’s operations in the US and Canada and will help leaders worldwide proactively manage risk. Main responsibilities include overseeing legal matters related to franchise transactions and compliance, collaborating cross-functionally to ensure legal integrity, operational alignment and business growth, and risk management.

Roles and Responsibilities :

• Build relationships with key internal stakeholders
• Draft, review, and negotiate franchise agreements, disclosure documents, and related contracts
• Advise on federal and state franchise regulations, including FTC compliance
• Support franchise registration and renewal processes across jurisdictions
• Collaborate with internal departments on advertising, development, and operational compliance.
• Manage franchisee disputes, defaults, and terminations in coordination with litigation counsel
• Provide strategic legal guidance on franchise expansion, transfers, and restructuring
• Support and collaborate with the team of in-house attorneys and the compliance team
• Advise senior and executive members of both new and existing laws that impact the business
• Oversee the legal matters of the business, including acting as the business’ legal representative, and leverage expertise of external counsel where appropriate
• Maintain knowledge of the company’s legal documents and operations
• Craft and review legal strategy in response to any litigation
• Assess current practices and developing a roadmap to manage risk more effectively
• Any additional duties needed to help demonstrate our core values, drive our vision, and fulfill our mission.

Demonstrated Competencies :

Required Qualifications :

Preferred Qualifications :

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and / or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and / or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.

This is a full-time position. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

An equal opportunity employer.