General Counsel

Inter-State Studio & Publishing Co.; Sedalia (MO); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life Insurance

401k with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Inter-State Studio & Publishing Co. is seeking a strategic General Counsel to lead the Legal & Compliance function and support a growing multi-state franchise network.

The role blends corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and commercial contracting to drive business success while safeguarding the company’s interests. The ideal candidate will have a JD, Missouri eligibility to practice, at least 10 years in corporate or law firm settings, and proven franchise regulatory experience.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Eligible to practice law in Missouri or eligible for in-house counsel registration.
• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience, including corporate or law firm background.
• Franchise regulatory law experience, including FDD prep, filings, multi-state compliance.
• Experience advising at a senior level, ideally as General Counsel or senior in-house counsel.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal leadership to executive management and department leaders.
• Lead and develop the Legal & Compliance team; oversee priorities and coaching.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and business risks across the company.
• Develop policies, procedures, and compliance programs to reduce risk and support business goals.
• Oversee franchise regulatory compliance, including FDD filings and state registrations.
• Draft and negotiate contracts with vendors, schools, leases, and service agreements.
• Ensure privacy and other regulatory compliance across the business.
• Guide employment law issues and provide training to employees and franchisees.
• Evaluate and govern AI tools and legal tech to improve operations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Risk management

Ethical standards

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

AI-powered legal tools

Job description

General CounselInter-State Studio is a family-owned school photography and yearbook company that has been successfully serving schools for 90 years.By listening to the needs of our customers and utilizing the latest technologies, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality school portraits and yearbooks with affordable pricing and excellent service.About the RoleWe are looking for a strategic and collaborative General Counsel that will translate Inter-State Studio's vision into actionable legal strategy that protects and supports the company and its growing network of franchise partners.This is a business-minded leadership role that pairs broad corporate legal responsibility with focused ownership of our franchise regulatory program. Leading the company's Legal & Compliance function, will include supervision and development of the Legal & Compliance team, as well as partnering closely with executive leadership, teams across the organization, and our franchise partners.In addition to the legal work performed, success in this role will also include the business outcomes achieved, risks appropriately managed, and trust built across the organization.What You'll DoLegal Leadership & Risk ManagementServe as a trusted legal advisor to executive leadership and department leaders on a wide range of legal and business mattersLead and develop the Legal & Compliance team, providing direction, coaching, and oversight of departmental prioritiesIdentify, assess, and mitigate legal and business risks, including commercial disputes, regulatory matters, and contract breachesDevelop and implement legal policies, procedures, and compliance programs that support business objectives and mitigate riskCoordinate with external counsel and represent the company in legal proceedings as neededPartner with executive leadership to proactively identify organizational risks and develop appropriate response strategiesFranchise Regulatory ComplianceOversee the drafting, review, and approval of the Inter-State's annual Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreementsLead annual FDD filings and franchise registration and renewal processes across applicable statesEnsure ongoing compliance with the Federal Trade Commission's Franchise Rule and applicable state franchise lawsProvide real-time legal guidance regarding disclosure requirements, exemptions, franchisee onboarding, territories, and transaction structuringLead the company's franchise compliance program in partnership with Franchise, Operations, and Legal & Compliance teamsSupport process improvements and automation that enhance FDD production and franchise complianceCorporate Governance & Commercial MattersOversee corporate governance practices and maintain corporate documents and the company's legal entity structureDraft, review, and negotiate contracts and agreements, including vendor and supplier contracts, school bids, acquisition contracts, leases, and service agreementsFacilitate licensing, trademark, statutory, and business license filingsEnsure compliance with privacy regulations and other regulatory requirements relevant to the businessCollaborate with Sales, Operations, Finance, IT, Franchise, and other departments on contracts, agreements, and legal mattersEmployment & PeopleProvide legal guidance on employment law, employee relations, labor matters, and regulatory complianceDraft and review employment agreements, non-disclosure agreements, non-compete provisions, and related documentsProvide legal and compliance training to employees and franchiseesPartner with leadership and HR on employment-related risk and compliance mattersLegal Operations & InnovationLead the evaluation, implementation, and governance of AI-enabled legal tools and technologiesIdentify opportunities to improve contract management, legal research, compliance monitoring, risk assessment, and legal workflowsEstablish appropriate controls for the ethical and compliant use of AI and legal technology, including data privacy considerationsContinuously improve legal processes to increase efficiency, consistency, and business valueWhat You'll NeedMinimum QualificationsJuris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law schoolEligible to practice law in Missouri or eligible for in-house counsel registrationMinimum of 10 years of legal experience, including significant experience in a corporate legal department or law firmFranchise regulatory law experience, including FDD preparation, filings, and multi-state complianceProven experience providing legal counsel at a senior level, ideally as General Counsel or senior in-house counselExtensive knowledge of corporate, employment, commercial, and regulatory lawStrong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skillsHigh ethical standards and professional integrityPreferred QualificationsExperience in franchising, retail, or another multi-unit business modelExperience leading or supervising legal and compliance professionalsHands-on experience leveraging AI tools, legal technology, and workflow automation to improve legal operationsExperience in manufacturing or with distribution agreements*Please note: You do not need to meet every qualification listed to be considered. We encourage you to apply if you meet most of the requirements and are comfortable opening a dialogue about the role.Additional InformationRemote or hybrid work options availableRegularly 40 hours per week, as business needs requirePeriodic travel of approximately 10% or more to Sedalia, field locations, or franchise locationsPrimarily office-based work requiring extended computer use with occasional lifting and movement of up to 25 poundsWhat We OfferCompetitive Salary based on experienceTechnology AllowanceAnnual performance merit and discretionary bonusCoverage and reimbursement for business travel expensesBenefits options include Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, 401k with a company match, and paid time offA supportive work environment that lives our values- People, Integrity, Innovation, and QualityInter-State Studio & Publishing Co. is an equal opportunity employer. Accommodations are available upon request during the recruitment [e-mail]