Corporate Counsel - Franchise

KIA Motors Group; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 177,401 - 257,195; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) match

Paid time off

Lease program

Holiday shutdown

Volunteer hours

Campus amenities

Job summary

Kia Motors Group in Irvine, CA is seeking a seasoned in-house counsel to advise on dealer network operations across the United States. You will lead policy development for dealer establishment, transfers, terminations, and branding, while coordinating with outside counsel.

The role demands strong drafting, risk assessment, and cross-functional collaboration across business leaders and legal teams. Qualified candidates will hold a JD from a top ABA-accredited school, California bar admission, and

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from a top-tier ABA-accredited law school preferred.
• Experience from a top-tier law firm preferred.
• Admitted to California State Bar.
• 7–10 years top-tier law firm or in-house experience preferred.
• Experience in automotive industry is helpful; dealer franchise law helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to improve dealer network operations in the United States.
• Develop policies related to dealer establishment and transfer, dealer termination and wind-down, and dealership operations including branding and marketing.
• Collaborate with in-house lawyers and outside counsel on projects and cases.
• Manage litigation, risk assessment, case strategy, settlements, budgeting, discovery, and other case-management activities.
• Advise and train managers in various departments on dealer operations and legal issues.

Skills

Managerial skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal communication

Written communication

Microsoft Office

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive reporting

Care for People

Risk assessment

Education

Juris Doctor from a top-tier ABA-accredited law school

Tools

Microsoft Office

Case management software

Job description

Kia provides team members with competitive benefits including premium paid medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) plan matching of 100% up to 6% of the salary deferral, and paid time off. Kia also offers company lease and purchase programs, company-wide holiday shutdown, paid volunteer hours, and premium lifestyle amenities at our corporate campus in Irvine, California.

Status

Exempt

General Summary

Your primary focus will be providing legal advice to the company to improve all aspects of the performance and operation of Kia’s dealer network in the United States. In particular, you will develop policies and provide advice related to dealer establishment and transfer, dealer termination and wind-down, and dealership operations, including sales operations, distribution, service operations, dealership facility improvement and branding, and marketing.

In this position, you will work collaboratively with a group of in‑house lawyers on projects and cases which influence multiple aspects of the business. You will also manage and work with outside counsel, as appropriate, to assist you in your areas of responsibility and collaborate with and interact with the company’s business leaders. As an integral part of the team, you will proactively assess legal risks and advise on decisions that will advance the company’s business.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1st Priority – 30%

Work closely with executives and managers to achieve objectives related to the dealer network. This includes providing advice on dealer franchise law, and review and development of company policies related to network planning, dealer sales performance, dealer financial performance, dealer establishment, dealership transfers, dealership facility requirements, sales incentives, marketing, service and warranty operations, distribution, and customer service.

2nd Priority – 30%

Assist with the drafting of policy documents, letters, dealer agreements, and dealership performance reviews.

3rd Priority – 20%

Manage litigation, including risk assessment, case strategy, settlement, budgeting, discovery and other case management activities. This includes claims and defenses related to dealer add points, protests, terminations, bankruptcies, audits, etc.

4th Priority – 10%

Proactively address other legal matters as needed and work collaboratively with your colleagues, as appropriate.

5th Priority – 10%

Advise and train managers in many departments of the company related to dealer operations and legal issues.

Qualifications/Education

Juris Doctor from a top‑tier ABA‑accredited law school preferred

Experience from a top‑tier law firm preferred

Admitted to California State Bar

Job Requirement

7‑10 years top‑tier law firm or in‑house experience preferred

Experience in automotive industry is helpful

Direct experience in dealer franchise law is helpful but not required; Kia may provide substantive business and legal training for the appropriate candidate

Both transactional and litigation background is helpful

Specialized Skills and Knowledge Required

• Demonstrate managerial, organizational, and excellent interpersonal communication (verbal and written) skills, particularly in high‑pressure situations
• Ability to create timely and insightful executive reports and analysis; outstanding writing and editing skills
• Mastery of standard office software (Microsoft Office) and ability to learn other company software systems as needed and as technology develops
• Work collaboratively and cross‑functionally with other in‑house counsel team members in other legal areas to identify and resolve legal issues
• Care for People
• Chase Excellence Every Day
• Dare to Push Boundaries
• Empower People to Act
• Move Further Together

Pay Range

$177,401 – $257,195

Pay will be based on several variables that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to, job‑related skills, experience, relevant education or training, etc.

KUS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, including pregnancy and childbirth and related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, legally protected physical disability or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. KUS complies with applicable law governing non‑discrimination in employment in every location in which KUS has offices. The KUSEEO policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

Disclaimer: The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and for this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.