Franchise Associate Attorney

Donahue Fitzgerald LLP

$160K — $190K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
  • California Bar license in good standing.
  • 3 - 5 years of transactional experience, particularly in contracts and corporate matters.
  • Strong drafting and negotiating skills.
  • Familiarity with AI-powered legal research and drafting tools.

Responsibilities

  • Draft, review, and negotiate various contracts and agreements.
  • Create and revise Franchise Disclosure Documents and related contracts.
  • Respond to state regulators' comment letters.
  • Advise clients on compliance with franchise laws and regulations.
  • Provide guidance on franchise sales compliance and related matters.
  • Analyze and implement franchise sales strategies based on exemptions.
  • Conduct legal research and manage client communications.

Benefits

  • Collaborative working environment.
  • Opportunities for professional development with mentorship.
  • Support for pro bono activities.
  • Access to resources for growth in franchise law.
  • Potential path to partnership within the firm.
Full Job Description
Donahue Fitzgerald, LLP seeks a Mid-Level Attorney with transactional experience to join our IP Practice Group in our Oakland office. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled transactional attorney looking to expand their expertise into the exciting and dynamic field of Franchise Law. While prior experience in franchise law is a plus, we are committed to training the right candidate and providing the resources necessary to become a successful franchise law practitioner and serve as outside general counsel for clients.

The ideal candidate will have 3 - 5 years of experience in complex transactional matters. Our practice primarily represents franchisors from a wide variety of industries. This position is well-suited for someone motivated by intellectual challenges, who enjoys working with a talented team of legal professionals, and who wants to work for a firm with an established path to partnership.

As a transactional attorney, you will play a key role in advising clients on various matters. You will work closely with partners, gaining hands-on experience in:

Duties & Responsibilities
  • Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, including master service agreements, license agreements, and customer contracts
  • Drafting and revising Franchise Disclosure Documents and related contractual agreements
  • Responding to comment letters from state regulators
  • Advising clients on compliance with federal and state franchise laws and regulations
  • Advising clients regarding franchise sales compliance, renewals, and terminations
  • Analyzing and implementing exemption-based franchise sales strategies
  • Researching and providing advice regarding a variety of legal issues
  • Managing client communication and expectations
  • Participating in business development activities and networking within the franchise community


Knowledge, Skills, and Educational Requirements
  • Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
  • California Bar license in good standing
  • Must have 3 - 5 years of transactional experience, including contract analysis and drafting and advising clients in corporate and commercial matters; Litigation, Trademark, Regulatory compliance, and/or Data Privacy experience is not required but a significant plus
  • Strong drafting and negotiating skills
  • Excellent research skills
  • Familiarity with AI-powered legal research and drafting tools, with a commitment to leveraging technology for efficiency while maintaining strict confidentiality and professional accuracy
  • Superior verbal and written communication skills
  • Must be a self-starter with outstanding organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments independently
  • Ability to interface with clients regularly and provide sound legal advice with practical business considerations
  • Strong attention to detail is a must
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • The ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • A genuine interest in learning and developing expertise in franchise law
  • Proficient with MS Office Suite and a Document Management System desired


This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established firm that offers interesting work, a collaborative working environment, opportunities to support pro bono activities, and competitive benefits.

Salary range: $160,000 to $190,000. The salary range does not guarantee, obligate, nor set expectations of an applicant's salary in the event of hire. Actual compensation will depend upon a number of factors, including but not limited to the candidate's years of experience, qualifications, and skill set.

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