Legal Counsel - Compliance & Litigation

Pizza Hut of America•Plano, TX

1d•$125,200 - $132,480•Hybrid

About The Position

As a member of Pizza Hut’s legal team, the Legal Counsel serves as a business partner and legal adviser, reporting to the Global Legal Directors. The role supports the global compliance practice and assists with Pizza Hut’s ethics, compliance, due diligence, training, and internal investigations programs. The attorney manages and conducts investigations and advises on matters including privacy and AI, anti-bribery and anti-corruption, sanctions, conflicts of interest, international trade, and other compliance topics. The position also supports strategic defense of litigation matters, excluding employment and franchise litigation, and performs other Law Department functions as assigned. The position is based in the Plano, Texas office, with in-person work required Tuesday through Thursday and remote work permitted Monday and Friday. The successful candidate is expected to work collaboratively across business units and model Pizza Hut’s cultural values.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
Active license to practice law in Texas, or ability to obtain in-house counsel registration where required.
4–8 years of experience in a law firm or in-house legal department.
Strong understanding of federal civil procedure.
Ability to assess and weigh risks against operational needs and develop reasoned recommendations, including risk mitigation strategies.
Ability to prioritize, manage, and multitask quickly and competently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to provide sound, clear, practical legal advice verbally and in writing.
Ability to develop strong working relationships with colleagues and internal clients.
Ability to self-start and proactively advance business objectives to completion.
Solution-oriented and collaborative mindset, including ability to work successfully in a team environment.
Excellent communication and listening skills, including the ability to explain complex legal issues to non-lawyers one-on-one and in large presentations.
High personal and professional integrity and ability to establish credibility within the department and company.
At least 18 years of age and authorized to work in the United States.
Must work in person at the Plano, Texas office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; remote work is permitted Monday and Friday.

Nice To Haves

Preferred focus in general litigation, internal investigations, corporate compliance, and/or corporate governance.

Responsibilities

Monitor legal and policy developments and provide day-to-day compliance-focused legal advice to Global HR and Total Rewards, Digital and Technology, Development, Operations, Finance, legal partners, and other stakeholders.
Manage and maintain a portfolio of global corporate compliance and legal/workplace policies, ensuring they are current, clear, scalable, and compliant.
Develop and deliver training for HR Business Professionals, business leaders, and coaches on legal topics and emerging risks.
Create and manage the rollout of annual global compliance training.
Conduct internal audits with internal teams in high-risk regulatory areas.
Conduct risk assessments on issues affecting the company’s customers, vendors, operations, franchisees, industry, or business, and advise management on appropriate responses.
Establish and manage the internal investigations program with stakeholders; ensure timely, thorough, and fair investigations; track and analyze trends; and recommend corrective actions.
Manage global vendor, supplier, and franchisee due diligence.
Lead records management and oversight, with support from the Litigation Paralegal.
Maintain the company’s compliance communications program, including promoting the whistleblower hotline and awareness of the Code of Conduct, compliance issues, and related policies and procedures.
Assist with litigation matters and coordinate with outside and insurance counsel on strategic defense nationwide, primarily involving commercial, consumer protection, patent infringement, and data privacy matters, with possible matters including real estate and antitrust.
Review and revise draft pleadings, discovery responses, and motions prepared by outside counsel.
Coordinate with the Litigation Paralegal to collect and provide responsive, non-objectionable information and documentation for discovery, and manage e-discovery.
Assist the Director with forecasting and managing the legal budget by period and annually.
Coordinate with the Risk/Insurance Team and cross-functional partners as appropriate.
Partner with the Litigation Paralegal on responses and objections to subpoenas and other legal documents.
Assist in developing compliance frameworks arising from litigation, as needed.
Perform other essential Law Department functions and responsibilities as assigned.