VP, Deputy General Counsel

3535 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USAJob DescriptionPosted Friday, September 12, 2025 at 7:00 AMOur restaurants are only the tip of the flame. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, innovative and welcoming workplace then a career with our Corporate Familia is right for you.What’s in it for you!Hybrid work scheduleCompetitive pay and bonusMedical + Dental + Vision Insurance + Flexible Spending Accounts401(K) Plan with match and immediate vestingFree El Pollo Loco food (Dine Out Card) + Restaurant Discount • Discounts on theme parks, movie tickets, sports events, hotels and more...POSITION PURPOSE:The Deputy General Counsel provides strategic legal counsel and practical business solutions across employment, corporate governance, franchising, litigation, commercial contracts, marketing, and risk management. Serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, this role ensures that El Pollo Loco achieves its objectives within legal, regulatory, and ethical boundaries while fostering a culture of collaboration and integrity.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Serve as a trusted advisor to internal clients, including senior leadership team members, on legal strategy, employment law, pre-litigation disputes and litigation management, securities law and corporate governance, commercial transactions, and regulatory and corporate complianceAssist the CLO in overseeing the legal and risk strategyAdvise internal clients, including senior leadership and the Board of Directors, in an objective and unbiased manner that assists the company to achieve its business objectives within legal and ethical constraints. The successful candidate will be highly intelligent, with practical business sense, and a true believer in a servant-leader corporate culture.Provide leadership within the legal department and to internal clients, manage retained law firms cost-effectively and ensure that quality of outside legal services meet the Company’s high expectationsOversee the management and execution of matters relating to litigation, labor and employment law, risk management and all other compliance mattersSupport and advise the Human Resources department concerning personnel issuesMonitor developments in the restaurant industry and federal law and state law in each state in which the company is doing business and assist to ensure that the company has developed appropriate systems, controls, procedures, and compliance reporting mechanisms to deal with anticipated statutory requirementsAssist with Company’s SEC and public filings, corporate governance, including board and committee operations, corporate secretary function and oversight of organizational documents, corporate minute books, policies and board guidelinesAssist CLO in managing legal affairs associated with the Company’s franchise systems and Company owned operationsNegotiating, structuring, drafting and/or reviewing leases, commercial contracts and licensing agreementsProvide legal and business advice to Marketing department in the areas of advertising and claims review and support, promotions, contests/sweepstakes, licensing, and agency managementOversee EPL’s regulatory and corporate compliance program, including Code of Conduct maintenance, investigations, and employee trainingManage risk management matters, including General Liability and Workers Compensation matters, insurance procurement and coverage, and restaurant and employee safety and securityManage legal affairs associated with the Company’s intellectual property portfolio including providing legal support associated with the Company’s consumer products and food service licensing activitiesOther activities, duties or responsibilities that are assigned by your supervisor.QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The requirements listed below are representative of the education and/or experience required.Education/Work Experience:J.D. from an ABA accredited law school. Minimum of 10+ years of legal experience, including serving as a Deputy General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, or senior leader within the legal department of a similarly sized or larger company.Preferred:Restaurant or retail experience as clients or as an in-house attorney strongly preferred3-5 years of in-house experience as an attorney within the legal department of a similar-sized or larger corporation is highly preferred2-3 years of training at a large law firm is strongly preferredSolid, tested judgment and experience in serving as an advisor to internal clients and senior management either directly or through client relationshipsSignificant experience with SEC and corporate governance issues and lawsExperience with Board and committee operations, corporate secretary function and oversight of organizational documents, corporate minute books, policies and Board policiesFranchising or multi-unit retail expertise; ability to navigate the nuances of franchisee/franchisor relationshipsLicense/Certifications:Licensed to practice law in California.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Significant experience in employment law advice and counsel and litigationExpertise in cost-effective complex litigation management, including but not limited to PAGA actions and wage and hour class actions and a track record of consistent excellent outcomesAbility to negotiate significant commercial transactions and agreements (settlement agreements, contracts, separation agreements, etc.)Experience with successfully recruiting, building, and developing a team (based on current and future needs).Confidence in execution of strategic initiatives.Must be decisive and able to make fact-based decisions.Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset and skills; meticulous attention to detailAbility to effectively communicate with internal and external business partners.Ability to prioritize and plan work assignments and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines.High level of proficiency with technology including Microsoft Office Suite applications, Adobe Acrobat, customized database applications, and internet research tools.Ability to read, write, and interpret complex reports, documents, and correspondence.Adept at managing and prioritizing competing time sensitive requests while working well in a team atmosphere that may be under pressure.Ability to exercise independent judgment on matters of significance to the company.Ability to work at the Support Center consistent with the hybrid work policy.Our CompanyIn 1980 the first American El Pollo Loco opened on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles, quickly becoming a destination for the best citrus-marinated, fire-grilled pollo in town. Over the past four decades, El Pollo Loco has grown into more than 490 restaurants across 7 states, becoming an L.A. mainstay and cultural benchmark along the way. And today, we continue to work just as hard to always provide customers with fresh and innovative L.A. Mex from our famous family dinners to Mexican entrees.The pay range identified is the hourly or salary rate El Pollo Loco expects to pay for the posted position. This range does not include any benefits or bonus opportunities that might be available for the position based on position and eligibility criteria. Individual pay will vary based on a variety of factors including years of experience, industry experience, education, geography, etc. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-17