What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate General Counsel position at Fourteen Foods?
NOTE: This position will be on-site at our corporate office in Franklin, TN.
Who we are: Fourteen Foods is the largest Dairy Queen franchisee in the world, with nearly 250 restaurants in 13 states, and we’re growing! We are faith-based with a mission of, “Shepherding world-class restaurants that celebrate our commitment to faith, people and community.” Our Support Center headquarters is in Franklin, Tennessee, where we work together on-site. We also have offices in Louisville, KY., and Bloomington, MN. Please visit www.fourteenfoods.net to learn more about us.
What you'll do: The Associate General Counsel provides commercial real estate and general corporate-related legal counsel and services to Fourteen Foods and its affiliated companies (the “Companies”) in support of their Quick Service Restaurant (QSR), commercial real estate and other businesses. This position will report to the General Counsel and partner closely with all divisions of the Companies.
How you'll do it:
- Advise and assist the real estate team with the execution of real estate acquisition, disposition, and financing strategies.
- Negotiate and draft commercial real estate LOIs and purchase/sales agreements.
- Manage real estate due diligence and lead purchase, sale, and finance closings.
- Title and survey examination and clearance.
- Negotiate, draft and analyze leases, lease amendments, REAs, SNDAs, license agreement, estoppels, consents, brokerage agreements, NDAs, closing documents and other ancillary commercial real estate documents.
- Draft, negotiate and manage business contracts.
- Manage insurance claims processes with the risk management team and outside counsel.
- Manage outside counsel and work with principals to manage claims and litigation matters and recommend legal strategies.
- Examine and interpret documents, actions, statutes, decisions, and ordinances affecting, or potentially affecting, the Companies, and advise leadership and personnel on legal issues impacting their areas of responsibility, as needed or requested.
- Monitor legal developments and trends in both real estate and corporate law to proactively advise on risk mitigation strategies.
- Develop and implement strategies on legal issues and resolve disputes and conflicts.
- Actively participate in complex or difficult transactions or corporate initiatives as assigned and work to creatively solve legal issues.
- Establish a reputation of being approachable, competent, professional, and responsive.
- Oversee legal department team members as assigned.
- Assume responsibility for special projects as assigned.
Experience requirements and what you need to be great at:
- High level of knowledge and expertise, and solid experience with legal and business of both commercial real estate transactions and general corporate matters.
- Minimum of ten years' experience.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, and ability to establish positive and effective business relationships both within and outside the Companies and articulate complex issues and ideas in simple, easy to understand concepts.
- High level of skill in analyzing, negotiating, and drafting legal documents.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and prioritize multiple projects with attention to detail, meet concurrent deadlines and initiatives with efficiency and strong follow-through and accountability.
- Ability to practically and creatively solve legal issues with confidence.
- Litigation experience helpful.
- Strong critical thinking skills.
- Experience with a closely held and entrepreneurial business not required, but a plus.
- Franchise experience not required, but a plus.
- JD degree and excellent academic credentials.
- Admitted to practice law in the state of Tennessee and maintain annual registration and continuing legal education.
- Positive energy, enthusiasm, flexibility, confidence, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
- Solid team player with strong interpersonal skills and a strong, reliable work ethic.
