General Counsel

About the Company

Home Franchise Concepts is one of the largest franchising systems in the home improvement goods and services space. The Company’s brands: Budget Blinds, The Tailored Closet, PremierGarage, AdvantaClean, Kitchen Tune-Up, Bath Tune-Up, Two Maids, Aussie Pet Mobile, Lightspeed Restoration and Concrete Craft are consistently rated at the top of their categories and supported by more than 2,500 franchise territories.

Home Franchise Concepts is a subsidiary of JM Family Enterprises, a family-owned, professionally managed diversified automotive company. 

A few of the Company’s many accolades and awards include:

• Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500
• Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 Best in Category
• Entrepreneur’s Top Low-Cost Franchise
• Entrepreneur’s Top New & Emerging Franchises
• Entrepreneur’s Top Home-based Franchises
• Entrepreneur’s Top 100 Global Franchises

Summary 

The General Counsel will serve as the chief legal officer for Home Franchise Concepts (HFC) overseeing all legal matters, compliance, and risk management. This role requires extensive experience in franchise law, regulatory compliance, contract negotiation, litigation management, and corporate governance. The General Counsel will work closely with the executive leadership team to ensure that all legal strategies align with business objectives while mitigating risks and protecting HFCs interests. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Manages legal department staffing by hiring, onboarding, training, assigning work, delegating tasks, managing workload distribution, ensuring adequate coverage, determining staffing needs, and advocating for appropriate resources.
• Manages team performance by setting expectations and goals, providing feedback, coaching, and mentoring, conducting performance reviews, addressing performance issues, and identifying professional development opportunities.
• Provides team leadership by fostering a positive and collaborative work environment, promoting teamwork and communication, resolving conflicts, addressing employee concerns, and motivating and inspiring the team to achieve departmental goals.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide legal guidance on all aspects of franchising, including franchise disclosure documents (FDD), franchise agreements, regulatory compliance, and state and federal franchise laws.
• Oversee franchisee relations, addressing disputes, terminations, and compliance issues.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including franchise agreements, supplier/vendor agreements, and commercial leases.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws affecting the franchise system, including FTC regulations and state franchise registration laws.
• Manage litigation and disputes, including working with outside counsel on franchise-related claims, intellectual property protection, and employment matters.
• Provide legal counsel on corporate governance, board matters, and risk management.
• Support the company in mergers, acquisitions, and expansion efforts, including due diligence and integration.
• Advise on employment law issues, including policies, disputes, and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee intellectual property matters, including trademark registrations, enforcement, and brand protection strategies.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure legal best practices across the organization.
• Advise on corporate governance matters and ensures compliance.
• Ability to travel as needed to support franchise operations and legal matters.
• Manage Outside Counsel relationships and work as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization

 Skill Requirements:

• Strong contract negotiation and drafting skills.
• Proven experience managing litigation, working with outside counsel, and handling dispute resolution.
• Familiarity with real estate and lease negotiations is a plus.
• Exceptional business acumen, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with executives and franchisees.

 Education and Experience Qualifications:

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 15+ years of legal experience, with a strong background in franchise law, corporate law, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience as in-house counsel for a franchisor or in a law firm specializing in franchise law preferred.

Physical & Workplace Requirements:

• Light-duty work environment – primarily office-based with minimal physical exertion.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while working on a computer.
• Occasional standing or walking for presentations or facilitation.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs occasionally.
• Hybrid model – Work from the office on Tues/Wed/Thurs and from home on Mon/Fri.
• Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

This job description is intended to describe the basic, critical elements of the job. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment. It may be modified or amended at any time at the employer’s discretion.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

HOME FRANCHISE CONCEPTS IS PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Home Franchise Concepts is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, retaining, and promoting qualified associates without regard to age, race, religion, color, gender, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, mental or physical disability, national origin, marital status, citizenship, military status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, provincial, or local law.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS 

If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact HFC's Talent Acquisition department at HR@gohfc.com for assistance. If you have an accommodation request for one of our recruiting events, please notify us at least 72 hours prior so that we may provide assistance. 

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