Transactional Attorney

Donahue Fitzgerald LLP; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Donahue Fitzgerald, LLP seeks a mid-level attorney with transactional experience to join our IP Practice Group in our Oakland office. This role offers an exciting path into franchise law, with training provided to develop expertise and serve as outside general counsel for clients.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of complex transactional experience and will work on contracts, franchise disclosures, and regulatory compliance for franchisors across industries, collaborating with a talented team.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• California Bar license in good standing.
• 3–5 years of transactional experience including contract analysis and drafting.
• Strong drafting and negotiating skills; excellent research abilities.
• Familiarity with AI-powered legal research/drafting tools; confidentiality and accuracy.

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 on a variety of legal issues.
• Managing client communication and expectations.
• Participating in business development and networking within the franchise community.

Skills

Drafting

Negotiation

Contract analysis

Communication

Self-motivation

Education

Juris Doctor

California Bar license

Tools

MS Office Suite

Document management system

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.

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