Overview
A global business networking and franchising organization is seeking a Franchise Paralegal to support the preparation, execution, and compliance of franchise legal documentation across multiple jurisdictions. This role is integral to franchise development transactions, ensuring franchise agreements, disclosure documents, and registrations comply with federal and state franchise regulations.
Responsibilities
Franchise Documentation and FDD Compliance
- Prepare, revise, and finalize franchise agreements, addenda, territory exhibits, and related legal documents.
- Process executed agreements, obtain internal signatures, and route completed documents to relevant teams.
- Maintain accurate version control across Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), agreements, and templates.
- Track FDD delivery dates and ensure compliance with FTC and state-specific disclosure timing requirements.
- Support preparation of annual FDD updates, coordinating data across multiple departments.
- Draft, review, and revise franchise agreements, purchase agreements, broker agreements, referral agreements, and agreements facilitating resale of franchise locations, ensuring compliance with regulations and company policies.
- Manage and maintain a database of franchise agreements, contracts, and related legal documents.
State Registration and Compliance Support
- Assist with preparing, submitting, and tracking initial franchise registrations and annual renewals.
- Maintain calendars for registration deadlines, deficiency letter responses, and amendment requirements.
- Organize digital archives for all state correspondence, approvals, and receipts.
- Support internal compliance audits and documentation requests from Legal or Finance.
- Maintain data accuracy for monthly and quarterly reporting related to franchise sales documentation.
- Stay informed on franchise laws, regulations, industry standards, and best practices; conduct training sessions on legal compliance matters.
Franchise Operational Support
- Address legal inquiries, resolve disputes, and facilitate communication between franchisees and the legal team.
- Draft default notices for non-compliance and cease and desist notices for trademark infringement, post-termination violations, and others.
- Assist attorneys in franchise-related litigation by conducting research, preparing legal documents, and coordinating with outside counsel as needed.
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Liaise with Legal, Franchise Development, Finance, and Operations to gather information and resolve discrepancies.
- Provide clear communication on document status, outstanding requirements, and compliance timelines.
- Perform administrative tasks including maintaining calendars, scheduling meetings, and managing correspondence related to franchise matters.
- Escalate issues appropriately when terms, data inputs, or compliance factors require clarification.
Process Adherence and Incremental Improvements
- Follow established documentation workflows, naming conventions, and repository structures.
- Identify small, scope-appropriate improvements to templates, trackers, or filing systems.
- Maintain accurate and compliant data within enterprise platforms (e.g., FranConnect, SharePoint, PandaDoc).
- Ensure confidentiality and integrity of all franchise and legal documents.
Competencies
- Critical Thinking
- Communication
- Process Management
- Quality Management
- Organizational Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Risk Management
- Strategic Thinking
- Analytical Thinking
Qualifications
- Paralegal certification or equivalent legal training.
- 4–6 years of experience in a franchised operations legal support role, preferably in-house.
- Strong organizational skills and effective communication abilities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and legal document management systems.
- Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
- Comfortable working independently while collaborating across teams.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
- Sedentary work involving occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds.
- Repetitive motion involving substantial movements of wrists, hands, and fingers.
- Close visual acuity required for preparing and analyzing data, transcribing, viewing computer screens, and extensive reading.
Additional Information
- This is a full-time position.
- Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.