Sr. Counsel

Overview

This position is responsible for providing legal counsel, strategy, and direction on a wide variety of real estate matters associated with our existing real estate portfolio. Leadership responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing legal counsel and risk-analysis on matters that require a high-touch due to their potential operational impact, determining the level of legal review and partnership necessary for newly created projects or ventures and providing legal counsel, strategy, and direction for business-critical reinvestment projects from LOI through restaurant re-opening by partnering closely with internal business partners and outside counsel. The right person for this role will be able to work effectively across many different teams, manage the tension between senior leaders with strong divergent views, influence strategy and provide real estate and general contract expertise.

 

Our Flexible Future model offers a healthy mix of working in person and remotely, strengthening key elements of the Chick-fil-A culture by fostering collaboration and community.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and possess expert knowledge to advise, make decisions, and independently lead, influence, and support regional Real Estate, Portfolio Management and Property Management Teams.
• Serve as regional real estate legal lead for Capital Asset Reporting, Facilities and Equipment and Strategic Reinvestment partners to set and pursue strategies to accomplish business objectives.
• Independently manage projects and initiatives with Tests & Rollouts, Innovation & New Ventures and other internal teams impacting the company's real estate portfolio.
• Review, negotiate and provide in-depth input for drafting purchase contracts, ground leases, mall leases, work letters, easements, amendments, closing documents, etc.
• Analyze and direct strategy on legal due diligence (title, survey, environmental, entitlements, 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.
• Provide day-to-day direction, strategy and legal advice to the business on issues impacting the company’s real estate assets.
• Lead or partner with cross-functional teams and attend leadership, strategy, and execution meetings to provide legal advice to business partners across the organization.
• Serve as a point of escalation for franchisee real estate related concerns.
• Lead efforts to prepare and update forms, policies and processes as needed and prepare other communications to support the business.
• Lead 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.
• 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

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.)
• 4-year college law degree from accredited law school
• State bar membership in good standing
• Demonstrated academic success in law school
• 8-years of experience in transactional real estate law
• Large law firm, real estate boutique law firm or in-house corporate experience.
• Legal experience in transactional real estate or retail real estate
• 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
• Strong experience in building teams, creating, and improving processes and producing work product that aligns with corporate goals
• Ability to partner with leadership and support cross-functional projects and cross-functional teams.
• Competence in the use of technology and standard MS Office applications
• Excellent planning and organizational skills with the ability to manage shifting demands and tight deadlines

Minimum Years of Experience

8

Travel Requirements

20%

Required Level of Education

JD Degree