Job Description
General Counsel
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Location: Southern California (Corporate Headquarters)
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Salary: $180,000 – $250,000 + Comprehensive Benefits
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Lead the Legal Strategy of a Growing International Retail Organization
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We are seeking an experienced General Counsel to serve as the company's senior legal advisor and strategic business partner. This executive-level role will oversee all legal, employment, compliance, corporate governance, litigation, and risk management matters across our U.S. operations.
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⭐ We are specifically seeking an attorney with extensive California Labor & Employment Law expertise.
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This is the most critical requirement for the role. The ideal candidate has deep experience advising management on California employment laws, minimizing employment risk, and partnering closely with HR executives on complex employee relations matters.
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Key Responsibilities
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- Serve as the primary legal advisor to executive leadership.
- Provide expert legal guidance on California Labor Code, employment regulations, wage & hour laws, PAGA, FEHA, ADA, FMLA/CFRA, workplace investigations, employee relations, and HR compliance.
- Partner closely with HR leadership on disciplinary actions, terminations, leaves of absence, accommodations, investigations, and employment policies.
- Lead company-wide compliance and enterprise risk management initiatives.
- Manage litigation, employment claims, and outside counsel.
- Review and negotiate commercial agreements including:
- Real Estate & Leasing
- Construction & Store Development
- Vendor & Supply Agreements
- Employment Agreements
- Corporate Contracts
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Oversee corporate governance, board records, resolutions, and legal documentation.
- Provide legal support for new store development and retail operations.
- Advise executives on strategic initiatives and business expansion.
- Coordinate with the global legal team in Japan.
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Required Qualifications
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MUST HAVE
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- J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
- Active license to practice law in California
- 10+ years of legal experience
- Extensive expertise in California Labor & Employment Law
- Significant experience advising executive leadership and HR on employment matters
- Strong knowledge of:
- California Labor Code
- Wage & Hour Compliance
- PAGA
- FEHA
- ADA
- FMLA / CFRA
- OSHA
- Workplace Investigations
- Employment Litigation Prevention
- Experience managing outside counsel
- Corporate governance and compliance experience
- Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills
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Preferred
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- Retail, restaurant, grocery, or multi-location business experience
- International company experience
- Experience supporting organizations operating across the U.S. and Asia
- M&A and commercial transaction experience
- Japanese language ability Preferred
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Ideal Background
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We are looking for a business-minded legal executive who understands that legal advice should not only minimize risk but also support business growth. The successful candidate is confident working directly with executive leadership while balancing legal, operational, and commercial considerations.
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If you are a seasoned legal professional with deep California employment law expertise and are looking to make a strategic impact within a growing international organization, we'd love to hear from you