Counsel, Franchise Registration & Disclosure

The Role:
As Counsel at A Hotel Franchising Company, you will play a critical role in ensuring the company complies with all laws and regulations relating to its core business of franchising. This position will provide legal advice in the areas of franchise registration and disclosure, franchise agreements, franchise marketing, franchise compliance, and general business operations. This position has primary responsibility for the creation and updating of the company's franchise disclosure documents for 19 US and 16 Canadian hospitality brands, and compliance with franchise registration and disclosure regulations. This position also manages all franchise development marketing and communications review and maintains registration and compliance with related regulations. In addition, the position manages master forms of franchise and associated ancillary agreements for all brands and related services provided by franchisors. Finally, this role will help ensure new business initiatives comply with the law and advise management on recent changes in laws and regulations that affect the company.

What You'll Do:

• Support completion of NAMER franchise disclosure documents, amendments and supplemental disclosures as needed. This includes, for all 19 US and 16 Canadian brands.
• Initial drafting of relevant sections of disclosures/updating existing sections and maintaining all drafts and edits; and managing the process to meet all deadlines and compliance with legal requirements.
• Keeping up to date with development and evolution of franchise laws and regulations and advising the company on compliance.
• Managing responses to inquiries and comment letters from state franchise examiners.
• Responding to questions regarding the FDDs from internal business units and field personnel.
• Revise and/or create initial drafts of all franchise agreements and all ancillary agreements; maintain library of all associated forms and historical updates.
• Manage review of franchise marketing materials, collateral and value proposition sales training materials to ensure compliance and consistency with disclosures.
• Review and approve all due diligence associated with franchise applicants for compliance with law; review disclosure exemption applications.

You'll be successful if you have

• Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
• Ability to think independently and make sound decisions without long contemplation or research.
• Strong analytical and drafting skills.
• Ability to promptly, effectively and confidently respond to questions and concerns from senior management, clients, customers, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to define problems, collect relevant information, establish facts, draw valid conclusions and exercise sound discretion and judgment in making decisions and performing duties.
• Self-starter; ability to multi-task and handle a variety of work streams at one time.
• Proven ability to quickly learn and adapt to new programs and initiatives.

Required qualifications/experience:

• Law degree.
• Admission to NJ Bar or ability to obtain NJ in-house counsel license.
• A minimum of 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in a law firm environment.
• Strong drafting, transactional and counseling foundation.
• Experience in the franchise industry required.
• Experience in the hospitality industry preferred.