In-House Counsel​/General Counsel

IN-HOUSE COUNSEL / GENERAL COUNSEL

Franchise

• Corporate
• Litigation
• Complex Transactions

LaMar’s Donuts & Coffee (Franchisor)

MLJ Lux Design Builders, LLC

Denver, Colorado (On-Site) Soon in Castle Rock, Colorado

Full-Time | Exempt

LaMar’s Donuts & Coffee and MLJ Lux Design Builders are seeking an experienced In-House Counsel / General Counsel to lead legal strategy across a national franchise system and an ultra-luxury real estate and construction enterprise.

This role serves as the primary legal advisor to executive leadership and, as applicable, the Board of Directors. The successful candidate will oversee franchise law compliance, FTC regulatory matters, contractual governance, litigation oversight, fraud response, and enterprise risk management, while ensuring the companies operate with integrity, compliance, and long‑term brand protection.

This position requires prior in‑house or General Counsel experience within a franchise, multi‑unit retail, hospitality, and construction environment and the professional judgment to engage external legal subject‑matter experts when issues arise outside the candidate’s direct expertise.

• Lead all franchise legal matters, including Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), Franchise Agreements, and compliance with the FTC Franchise Rule and applicable state laws.
• Oversee royalty and advertising fee collection, franchise compliance enforcement, renewals, transfers, defaults, and terminations.
• Draft, negotiate, and enforce complex commercial contracts, including vendor, licensing, development, construction, and confidentiality agreements.
• Manage and direct litigation strategy, including franchise disputes, commercial litigation, employment matters, and regulatory actions.
• Identify, investigate, and respond to fraud and financial misconduct, including falsified loan documents and lender misrepresentation (including multistate and New York‑based matters).
• Analyze and interpret financial statements, including P&Ls/income statements, balance sheets, and franchisee tax returns for legal and compliance purposes as outlined in each individual franchise agreement.
• Advise on employment law compliance, corporate governance, intellectual property protection, proprietary ingredient safeguards, distribution and manufacturing contracts and asset protection strategies.
• Provide legal support related to commercial and ultra‑luxury residential real estate, zoning, developments, and construction matters for MLJ Lux Design Builders.
• Retain and manage outside counsel and specialized legal subject‑matter experts when issues fall outside internal expertise.
• Stay current on federal, state, and regulatory legal changes through ongoing CLE and professional development.
• Provide level of confidence on all legal matters with regards to addressing any legal issues internally or whether it needs to be outsourced to a legal subject‑matter expert.
• Other duties as assigned or needed.

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA‑accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; ability to practice in Colorado or obtain admission as required.
• 10+ years of legal experience.
• Prior in‑house counsel or General Counsel experience within a franchise system, multi‑unit retail, hospitality, construction environment (preferred).
• Substantial experience in:
  • Franchise Law and FTC Franchise Rule compliance.
  • Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), Franchise Agreements and system enforcement.
  • Commercial and contractual law, litigation oversight.
  • Demonstrated experience with financial analysis, fraud investigations, and regulatory compliance.
• Commitment to maintaining licensure and continuing legal education with no hesitation on furthering education on certain legal issues where insufficient knowledge has been determined (company‑sponsored).

$200,000 – $325,000 annually, based on prior salary and compensation history, experience and qualifications.

• Performance‑based annual compensation increases and eligibility is based on performance.
• Potential long‑term incentive or participation if mutually agreed…