Description:

Position Summary:
The Senior Corporate Counsel R/E is primarily responsible for providing legal counsel, strategy, and direction on a wide variety of real estate, corporate and franchise matters. Leadership responsibilities include, but are not limited to, managing many transactions by working closely with internal business partners, senior management and outside counsel and providing related legal counsel to CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc. and its affiliated entities as well as outside professionals. This position participates with senior management to establish strategic plans and objectives, negotiates matters significant to the organization.

Essential Functions – Real Estate
May perform any or all of the following duties:

Develop and provides strategy, vision and direction to multiple functions supporting the real estate portfolio of the Company.
Provide strategic direction and expert knowledge to advise, make decisions, and independently lead, influence and support members of the Development and Asset Management Teams on real estate matters.
Analyze and direct strategy on legal due diligence (title, leases, survey, environmental, entitlements, etc.).
Responsible for drafting and amending leases and other documentation for restaurant transactions.
Review Asset Management work product and provide legal advice with respect to estoppel issues, subordination and non-disturbance documentation and lease interpretation issues.
Assist with managing the legal processes and procedures of the Company's Development Department, including Real Estate, Lease Administration, Asset Management, Design, Construction and Facilities teams, ensuring the delivery of timely and cost-effective legal advice and the coordination of other team resources in order to facilitate achievement of Development team's business goals.
Provide support and assist in resolution of real estate disputes and litigation matters.

Essential Functions – Franchise & Corporate
May perform any or all of the following duties:

Independently manage legal projects and initiatives with the Development Department that impact the company's new restaurant development.
Oversees renewals, amendments, and terminations of franchise agreements.
Oversees the distribution of Company FDDs (Franchise Disclosure Agreements).
Reviews, examines and analyzes franchisees' corporate entity structures.
Coordinates and meets with field Franchise Business Consultants on individual franchisee matters to ensure consistent documentation and communication.
Assist Vice President and senior management in managing and facilitating M&A transactions from inception to closing.
Manage, facilitate and assist with legal and business due diligence for prospective acquisitions and dispositions.
Handle transactional matters such as negotiations and preparation of a variety of franchise-related agreements.
Ensure compliance with franchise-related agreements (defaults and terminations), policies and procedures.
Preparation and review of franchise sales and development materials such as the renewal and amendment of Franchise Disclosure Documents and Franchise Agreements, review and consultation of development advertising, franchise presentations, training, and other franchise communications
Assist Vice President and Franchise Operations and Development teams with franchise deals, issues, and reporting responsibilities.
Assist Franchise Team in the development and improvement of process and procedures to maintain a streamlined, proactive approach to managing franchise legal compliance and contracts.
Performs other duties and/or special projects as assigned in response to changing business conditions and/or requirements.

Position Qualifications/Core Competencies

Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school is required.
Member of a State Bar in good standing.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience practicing real estate law in a reputable law firm, and/or in a corporate role, ideally in the restaurant or other retail industry.
Ability to effectively collaborate and lead cross-functionally, juggle conflicting demands, and prioritize deadlines.
Expert communication skills to influence, advocate for and drive change and compliance across a global company
Working proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook)
Must be self-motivated and able to prioritize multiple projects individually or with a team.
Be intellectually curious, adaptable to change and agile in a dynamic environment with a strong sense of urgency.
Exceptional customer focus, approachability, organizational skills, and ability to consistently prioritize, coordinate and satisfy numerous competing demands and successfully achieve deadline driven results and effectively achieve business objectives.