Franchise Associate Attorney

Socket.dev; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Donahue Fitzgerald, LLP seeks a Mid-Level Attorney in Oakland to join our IP Practice Group. The role focuses on transactional matters with an exciting entry into Franchise Law and outside general counsel work for diverse clients.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years in complex transactional matters, strong drafting and negotiating skills, and familiarity with AI-powered legal research tools. Excellent communication and self‑start capabilities are required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• California Bar license in good standing.
• 3–5 years of transactional experience in corporate and commercial matters; litigation, trademark, regulatory compliance or data privacy experience is a plus.
• Strong drafting and negotiating skills.
• Familiarity with AI-powered legal research and drafting tools; commitment to confidentiality and accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong organization and independence.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts including master service, license, and customer agreements.
• Drafting and revising Franchise Disclosure Documents and related agreements.
• Advising clients on compliance with federal and state franchise laws.
• Advising on franchise sales compliance, renewals, and terminations.
• Researching legal issues and providing practical business-oriented advice.
• Managing client communications and business development activities.

Skills

Drafting contracts

Negotiation

Legal research

Client communication

Analytical thinking

Time management

Education

Juris Doctor degree

California Bar license in good standing

Tools

MS Office Suite

Document Management System

AI-powered legal research tools

Job description

Donahue Fitzgerald, LLP seeks a Mid-Level Attorney with transactional experience to join our IP Practice Group in our Oakland office. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled transactional attorney looking to expand their expertise into the exciting and dynamic field of Franchise Law. While prior experience in franchise law is a plus, we are committed to training the right candidate and providing the resources necessary to become a successful franchise law practitioner and serve as outside general counsel for clients.

The ideal candidate will have 3 - 5 years of experience in complex transactional matters. Our practice primarily represents franchisors from a wide variety of industries. This position is well-suited for someone motivated by intellectual challenges, who enjoys working with a talented team of legal professionals, and who wants to work for a firm with an established path to partnership.

As a transactional attorney, you will play a key role in advising clients on various matters. You will work closely with partners, gaining hands‑on experience in:

Duties & Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, including master service agreements, license agreements, and customer contracts
• Drafting and revising Franchise Disclosure Documents and related contractual agreements
• Responding to comment letters from state regulators
• Advising clients on compliance with federal and state franchise laws and regulations
• Advising clients regarding franchise sales compliance, renewals, and terminations
• Analyzing and implementing exemption-based franchise sales strategies
• Researching and providing advice regarding a variety of legal issues
• Managing client communication and expectations
• Participating in business development activities and networking within the franchise community

Knowledge, Skills, and Educational Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• California Bar license in good standing
• Must have 3 - 5 years of transactional experience, including contract analysis and drafting and advising clients in corporate and commercial matters; Litigation, Trademark, Regulatory compliance, and/or Data Privacy experience is not required but a significant plus
• Strong drafting and negotiating skills
• Excellent research skills
• Familiarity with AI-powered legal research and drafting tools, with a commitment to leveraging technology for efficiency while maintaining strict confidentiality and professional accuracy
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Must be a self‑starter with outstanding organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments independently
• Ability to interface with clients regularly and provide sound legal advice with practical business considerations
• Strong attention to detail is a must
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team
• A genuine interest in learning and developing expertise in franchise law
• Proficient with MS Office Suite and a Document Management System desired

This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established firm that offers interesting work, a collaborative working environment, opportunities to support pro bono activities, and competitive benefits.

Salary range: $160,000 to $190,000. The salary range does not guarantee, obligate, nor set expectations of an applicant’s salary in the event of hire. Actual compensation will depend upon a number of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s years of experience, qualifications, and skill set.

DF LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer