Hybrid Employment Attorney — Strategic HR Counsel

YUM; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Onsite dining center

Onsite gym

401(k) with 6% matching

Vacation and holidays

Parental leave

Wellness programs

Job summary

Taco Bell is seeking an experienced Employment Attorney to join its Legal Department in Irvine on a hybrid schedule. The role provides strategic, business-focused legal counsel on a broad range of employment, labor, and employee relations matters across the organization.

The successful candidate partners with People & Culture, Operations, and business leaders to proactively manage legal risk while supporting Taco Bell's Live Más culture.

Qualifications

• JD required and CA Bar admission preferred.
• 8+ years of employment law experience advising HR and business leaders on complex matters.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws, including California law.
• Experience managing employment litigation, government agency matters, and coordinating with outside counsel.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead employment law advisor for the organization, providing strategic counsel on employee relations, investigations, accommodations, leave management, wage and hour issues, performance, and separations.
• Advise on traditional labor strategy, union activity, and campaigns; coordinate with outside labor counsel.
• Partner with senior leaders on restructures, workforce planning, and high-impact business decisions while balancing legal risk and business needs.
• Lead handling of employment-related claims, agency charges, and pre-litigation matters; manage outside counsel and litigation strategy.
• Develop, review, and implement employment policies, training, and compliance programs to mitigate risk.
• Monitor federal, state, and local employment law developments and translate into actionable guidance.

Skills

Employment law

HR advisory

Litigation management

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree

Job description

Taco Bell is seeking an experienced Employment Attorney to join its Legal Department in Irvine on a hybrid schedule. The role provides strategic, business-focused legal counsel on a broad range of employment, labor, and employee relations matters across the organization.

The successful candidate partners with People & Culture, Operations, and business leaders to proactively manage legal risk while supporting Taco Bell's Live Más culture.