Counsel (Litigation)

Dine Brands Global; Pasadena (CA); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Dine Brands Global, Inc. in Pasadena, California is seeking an exceptional attorney to serve as Litigation Counsel.

You will manage and handle civil litigation for Dine Brands and its brands, including Applebee’s and IHOP, across state and federal courts, with strategic input on discovery, motions, and settlements. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of civil litigation experience, a California Bar license (or eligibility to register as in-house), and a track record of cost-effective dispute

Qualifications

• 5+ years of civil litigation experience in a top-tier law firm and/or corporation.
• Knowledge of all phases of litigation and trial process in both state and federal court including discovery and litigation preparation.
• Experience in alternative dispute procedures, including mediation and arbitration.
• Experience advising on and managing a variety of litigation and threatened claims, with ability to oversee outside counsel and perform litigation functions.
• Experience providing practical, business-focused legal counsel on potential disputes, legal risks, and pre-litigation matters.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on management and handling of litigation matters for Dine Brands and its brands.
• Direct involvement in case strategy, investigations, discovery, witness preparation, motion support, and arbitration/mediation/resolution.
• Review of new lawsuits, attorney demands, and regulatory complaints.
• Active management of outside counsel for strategic and economic resolution of litigation matters.
• Counseling on pre-litigation matters and business risk mitigation.

Skills

Civil litigation

Trial prep

Discovery

Mediation/Arbitration

Outside counsel management

Pre-litigation advice

Negotiation

Regulatory/compliance

Labor & employment litigation

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Top-tier law school

Job description

Based in Pasadena, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries and franchisees, supports and operates restaurants under the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP®, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® brands. As of December 28, 2025, these three brands consisted of over 3,500 restaurants across 20 international markets. Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world and in 2022 expanded into the Fast Casual segment. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company’s website located at www.dinebrands.com. Job Location Type Hybrid Dine Brands Global, Inc. has an immediate opening for an exceptional attorney to serve as Litigation Counsel. Under the direction of the Associate General Counsel, this attorney’s primary responsibilities will include: (1) hands-on management and handling of litigation matters for Dine Brands, and its brands, including Applebee’s and IHOP. This will include direct involvement in case strategy, investigations, discovery, witness preparation, motion support, and resolution in arbitration, mediation, and state and federal courts; (2) processing and conducting initial review of new lawsuits, attorney demands, and regulatory complaints; (3) active management of outside counsel for strategic and economic resolution of litigation matters; (4) serving as counsel of record as necessary; (5) advising and counseling on pre-litigation matters; and (6) business counseling for compliance as well as risk mitigation. Skills & Requirements

• 5+ years of civil litigation experience in a top-tier law firm and/or corporation
• Knowledge of all phases of litigation and trial process in both state and federal court including hands-on experience with all aspects of discovery and litigation preparation
• Experience in alternative dispute procedures, including mediation and arbitration
• Experience advising on and managing a variety of litigation and threatened claims, with the ability to both oversee outside counsel and personally perform litigation functions to drive efficient, cost-effective outcomes.
• Experience providing practical, business-focused legal counsel on potential disputes, legal risks, and other pre-litigation matters
• Ability to handle oversight and review of discovery responses, including legal hold implementation, document preservation, collection strategies, and responses to discovery requests
• Self-starter, ownership and initiative of all matters and issues
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Track record of initiative, problem solving abilities, and intellectual curiosity
• Interest and understanding of a wide range of litigation matters, including in labor and employment, trademark, patent, consumer litigation, class actions, regulatory, privacy, and general business disputes
• Strong organizational and time management skills required
• Excellent business judgment, ability to think strategically and give practical advice
• Excellent interpersonal skills; must be a team player and work well in a fast-paced, highly collaborative, team environment
• Experience with the restaurant or hospitality industry, franchise law, employment law, or privacy law is a benefit
• JD from a top-tier law school and a member of the California Bar, or qualified to register as an in-house attorney in California
• Target base salary 175-190k depending on experience

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Dine Brands Global strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the "Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers" and the "California Fair Chance Act" and/or other applicable laws and regulations in other jurisdictions. Dine Brands reviews criminal history in connection with a conditional offer of employment. The following is a list of all material job duties which Dine Brands reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: comply with applicable laws, mitigate risk, provide competent legal advice, and securely obtain, store, and handle employees’ and third parties’ personal, financial, and medical information. For information on how we collect and use your personal information, please visit our Applicant & Employee Privacy Notice.