This position is part of the dispute resolution function at Americana Restaurants, but ALM may be required to assist each Legal Manager (and above) throughout the entire legal function.

The role covers all disputes from all departments (including real estate, HR/employment, commercial disputes), and will require the person to work with local stakeholders (local general managers, internal counsel and external counsel) across all jurisdictions to: (1) advise and resolve issues directly for leadership stakeholders (inc. CEO and CFO), (2) manage disputes, including to (a) gather all dispute/resolution data, (b) review such disputes and (c) action accordingly (i.e., advise, settle, litigate and/or escalate to management); (3) implement risk mitigation measures to preventatively reduce disputes; and (4) build out relationships with local counsel in each jurisdiction. Given the high volume, prioritizing and focusing on material cases will be an important skill.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS:

• Anticipates issues (“sees around the corner”), estimates risk strategically and identifies pro-active, risk-weighted solutions.
• Provides strategic legal advice (inc. dispute resolution) to management, including priority areas.
• Maintains dispute resolution spreadsheet, incorporating disputes across jurisdictions, highlighting material cases, and providing next steps on each;
• Turns learnings into standard operating procedures and internal know-how
• Routinely reviews disputes, to advise on next steps (e.g., advise, settle, litigate, or escalate to management);
• Research legal issues in response to internal needs and presents in timely, digestible, solution-oriented format.
• Supports business decisions with legal information, proactively seeks ways to bring value to business.
• External Attorney Management: manages external legal counsel’s strategy, facilitates their work, and manages costs.

Education:

• BSc, J.D., LLB, or LLM degree in Law

Experience:

• 6+ years of solid experience, including private practice law firm