Senior Paralegal

Our restaurants are only the tip of the flame! If you’re looking for a fast-paced, innovative and welcoming workplace then a career with our Familia is right for you.

What’s in it for you!

• Hybrid work schedule
• Competitive pay and bonus
• Medical Dental Vision Insurance
• 401(K) Plan with match and immediate vesting
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Vacation Sick Pay 12 Paid Holidays
• Dog friendly office
• Amazing office culture
• Free El Pollo Loco food (Dine Out Card) Restaurant Discount
• Discounts on theme parks, movie tickets, sports events, hotels and more…
  
  

POSITION PURPOSE:

Provides legal support related to real estate, leasing, property management, asset management and franchising. Serves as a strategic business partner for Legal, Real Estate, Development, Franchise Operations, Accounting and other departments in achieving corporate strategic initiatives. Applies a balanced business and legal focus to proactively identify and manage risks and issues, and propose solutions, as well as a strategic view to facilitate growth and expansion. Apprises, consults and escalates current and potential risks/issues to Director, Legal Services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Critical collaborator with Legal, Real Estate, Development, Franchise Operations and Accounting.
• Prepare, and record as applicable, purchase agreements, leases, lease amendments and assignments, estoppels, SNDAs and other real estate related ancillary documents, in consultation with the Director of Legal Services, outside counsel, title companies, lenders, and landlords as necessary.
• Prepares franchise agreements, franchise development agreements, amendments, assignments, defaults, terminations and other franchise related ancillary documents, in consultation with Director of Legal Services.
• Assists in both the collection of relevant data from departments to update and issue the Franchise Disclosure Document (“FDD”) and with registration of the FDD with state franchise regulatory authorities.
• Partners with business groups to develop a clear understanding of internal customer and program requirements to ensure documentation is aligned with corporate business strategy and risk tolerance and to ensure legal and/or corporate governance compliance in all transactions.
• Supports all lease and franchise recordkeeping activities, including communicates with and secures documentation execution from landlords and franchisees.
• Manages the issuance of notices, amendments, extensions, etc. as required; communicates with property and asset management on accurate rent, lease commencement dates and other critical deadlines.
• Responds to ad hoc landlord and lease issues and secures execution on recordable documents in coordination with the title company; works with outside counsel as necessary.
• Supports all phases of the franchise agreement lifecycle including communicates with franchisees and secures franchise application documentation, performs credit and background checks, reviews financial documentation, collects franchise entity documentation, insurance certificates, leases, and other documentation as necessary.
• Manages the issuance of franchise agreements and franchise development agreements; performs timely execution and follow up on such agreements.
• Manages the issuance of franchise notices, defaults, terminations, assignments, etc. as necessary.
• Responsible for managing and communicating key terms and critical deadlines to accounting, franchise operations and development.
• Updates and maintains franchise database and responds to ad hoc franchise related issues.
• Works with outside counsel as necessary.
• Provides assistance with litigation involving real estate and franchise matters and assists managing legal costs associated with real estate and franchise issues.
• Serves as an ambassador for the Legal function, builds rapport and open and honest working relationships with all levels of employees.
• Interacts professionally and ethically, constructively participating as a collaborative team member or leader in pursuit of common goals.
• Perform other activities, duties or responsibilities that are assigned by the Director of Legal Services.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The requirements listed below are representative of the education and/or experience required.

Education And/or Experience

Associate degree or equivalent required, BA degree preferred. Minimum 5 years as a paralegal specializing in the retail/hospitality/restaurant industry with a concentration in real estate or franchise highly preferred.

License/Certifications

• Paralegal certificate from an accredited program required.
• Notary license a plus.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to speak clearly, concisely, accurately and timely with internal customers, external customers, vendors, and counsel.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with a strong commitment to detail and follow up.
• High level of proficiency with technology including Microsoft Office Suite applications, Adobe Acrobat, customized database applications, and internet research tools.
• Solid understanding of concepts related to real estate and franchising, particularly retail leasing, lease interpretation, property management concepts, franchise agreements and franchise agreement interpretation.
• Ability to analyze and understand legal and business concepts related to contractual and compliance issues.
• Adept at managing and prioritizing competing time sensitive requests while working well in a team atmosphere that may be under pressure. Knowing how to manage and work well with a variety of people and prioritize and coordinate a high volume workload is important. Detail oriented without losing the overall picture.
• Exercise discretion in working with and maintaining highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to work with limited supervision, exercising good judgment in taking initiative and proceeding on a project or getting direction or clarification.
• Ability to work at the Support Center consistent with the hybrid work policy.
  
  

Our Company

In 1980 the first American El Pollo Loco opened on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles, quickly becoming a destination for the best citrus-marinated, fire-grilled pollo in town. Over the past four decades, El Pollo Loco has grown into more than 490 restaurants across 7 states, becoming an L.A. mainstay and cultural benchmark along the way. And today, we continue to work just as hard to always provide customers with fresh and innovative L.A. Mex from our famous family dinners to Mexican entrees.

The pay range identified is the hourly or salary rate El Pollo Loco expects to pay for the posted position. This range does not include any benefits or bonus opportunities that might be available for the position based on position and eligibility criteria. Individual pay will vary based on a variety of factors including years of experience, industry experience, education, geography, etc.

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