Church's Texas Chicken
Director, Associate General Counsel
Church's Texas Chicken, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30383
Job Summary:
The Associate General Counsel (AGC), which is based at the Atlanta Restaurant Support Center, plays a critical role in supporting the Chief Legal Officer and providing strategic legal counsel across the organization, with a primary focus on franchising and franchise system support. The AGC will advise internal clients on a broad range of legal matters including, but not limited to, franchise development and compliance, real estate, general corporate governance, marketing and advertising, information technology, supply chain and distribution, intellectual property, product development, and litigation.
Given the centrality of franchising to Church’s business model, this role requires deep experience in franchise transactions, regulatory frameworks, and relationship management. An essential function of this role will be to proactively identify legal risks and opportunities within the franchise network and help protect Church’s assets by anticipating and mitigating potential issues and disputes. The AGC also will be responsible for keeping Church’s employees informed of evolving laws and regulations that impact the franchise system and broader business operations.
Key Duties/Responsibilities:
Provides support to the Chief Legal Officer on legal matters for the Company’s global business interests, with a primary focus on franchising, including franchise agreements, enforcement, compliance, and regulatory filings.
Leads the drafting, filing, and maintenance of U.S. state and federal franchise disclosure documents, as well as international franchise disclosure documents where required.
Manages all franchisee enforcement matters—domestic and international—including defaults, terminations, workouts, dispute resolution, and litigation.
Advise on franchise development strategies, including structuring of franchise relationships, negotiation of agreements, and risk mitigation.
Advise and represent the Company in real estate matters for Company-owned properties and properties subleased to franchisees, including lease drafting and negotiation, compliance oversight, and resolution of property-related disputes.
Provides legal counsel on mergers and acquisitions, supply and distribution, marketing, IT, and general corporate matters.
Provides legal counsel on all business transactions and contractual relationships, with special attention to franchise-related agreements.
Supports the Chief Legal Officer in civil litigation and other methods of dispute resolution in the area of franchising.
Participates in the development, implementation, and enforcement of corporate policies, procedures, and programs, including those affecting the franchise system.
Selects, retains, manages, and evaluates external counsel, especially those engaged in franchise-related matters.
Stays current on legal and regulatory developments, including international laws and regulations impacting franchising.
Supervises senior manager of litigation and external affairs, and manager of franchise administration.
Serves as Secretary and legal advisor to the board of the Church's Partners Foundation, a 501(c)(3) entity.
Position Requirements (Education, Qualifications, Experience):
Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school; licensed to practice law in a U.S. state.
5–10 years of legal practice in a law firm or in‑house legal department, preferably within the restaurant or retail industries.
Extensive experience in franchising law is required, including franchise disclosure, enforcement, compliance, and transactional work.
Experience in corporate transactions required.
Experience in litigation preferred.
Proven ability to manage legal matters in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization and with franchisees.
Skilled in facilitating meetings and delivering presentations.
Innovative thinker with strong problem‑solving and negotiation skills.
Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication abilities.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high‑quality legal support under pressure.
Capable of producing internal documents, presentations, training sessions, collateral materials, and field communications.
Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
Excellent project‑management capabilities.
Deep understanding of legal principles and practices, including civil, contract, corporate, and business law.
Familiarity with civil litigation procedures, judicial processes, and rules of evidence.
Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, franchisees, and government agencies.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Legal
Benefits/Inferences
Medical insurance
Vision insurance
401(k)
Disability insurance
Paid maternity leave
Tuition assistance
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Given the centrality of franchising to Church’s business model, this role requires deep experience in franchise transactions, regulatory frameworks, and relationship management. An essential function of this role will be to proactively identify legal risks and opportunities within the franchise network and help protect Church’s assets by anticipating and mitigating potential issues and disputes. The AGC also will be responsible for keeping Church’s employees informed of evolving laws and regulations that impact the franchise system and broader business operations.
Key Duties/Responsibilities:
Provides support to the Chief Legal Officer on legal matters for the Company’s global business interests, with a primary focus on franchising, including franchise agreements, enforcement, compliance, and regulatory filings.
Leads the drafting, filing, and maintenance of U.S. state and federal franchise disclosure documents, as well as international franchise disclosure documents where required.
Manages all franchisee enforcement matters—domestic and international—including defaults, terminations, workouts, dispute resolution, and litigation.
Advise on franchise development strategies, including structuring of franchise relationships, negotiation of agreements, and risk mitigation.
Advise and represent the Company in real estate matters for Company-owned properties and properties subleased to franchisees, including lease drafting and negotiation, compliance oversight, and resolution of property-related disputes.
Provides legal counsel on mergers and acquisitions, supply and distribution, marketing, IT, and general corporate matters.
Provides legal counsel on all business transactions and contractual relationships, with special attention to franchise-related agreements.
Supports the Chief Legal Officer in civil litigation and other methods of dispute resolution in the area of franchising.
Participates in the development, implementation, and enforcement of corporate policies, procedures, and programs, including those affecting the franchise system.
Selects, retains, manages, and evaluates external counsel, especially those engaged in franchise-related matters.
Stays current on legal and regulatory developments, including international laws and regulations impacting franchising.
Supervises senior manager of litigation and external affairs, and manager of franchise administration.
Serves as Secretary and legal advisor to the board of the Church's Partners Foundation, a 501(c)(3) entity.
Position Requirements (Education, Qualifications, Experience):
Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school; licensed to practice law in a U.S. state.
5–10 years of legal practice in a law firm or in‑house legal department, preferably within the restaurant or retail industries.
Extensive experience in franchising law is required, including franchise disclosure, enforcement, compliance, and transactional work.
Experience in corporate transactions required.
Experience in litigation preferred.
Proven ability to manage legal matters in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization and with franchisees.
Skilled in facilitating meetings and delivering presentations.
Innovative thinker with strong problem‑solving and negotiation skills.
Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication abilities.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high‑quality legal support under pressure.
Capable of producing internal documents, presentations, training sessions, collateral materials, and field communications.
Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
Excellent project‑management capabilities.
Deep understanding of legal principles and practices, including civil, contract, corporate, and business law.
Familiarity with civil litigation procedures, judicial processes, and rules of evidence.
Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, franchisees, and government agencies.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Legal
Benefits/Inferences
Medical insurance
Vision insurance
401(k)
Disability insurance
Paid maternity leave
Tuition assistance
#J-18808-Ljbffr