Legal Counsel

McDonald's Corporation • Chicago, IL

22d

About The Position

McDonald’s is proud to be one of the most recognized brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries that serve 70 million customers daily. We continue to operate from a position of strength. Our updated growth strategy is focused on staying ahead of what our customers want and realizing further growth potential. Our relentless ambition is why McDonald’s remains one of the world’s leading corporations after almost 70 years. Joining McDonald's means thinking big and preparing for a career that can have influence around the world.

At McDonald’s, we see every day as a chance to create positive impact. We lead through our values centered on inclusivity, service, integrity, community and family. From support of Ronald McDonald House Charities to our Youth Opportunity project and sustainability initiatives, our values keep us dedicated to using our scale for good: good for our customers, people, industry and planet. We also offer a broad range of outstanding benefits including a sabbatical program, tuition assistance and flexible work arrangements.
Department OverviewThe Global Legal Department partners closely with corporate functions, global technology teams, operations, and market leaders to enable safe, compliant, efficient, and innovative growth for the business. Our work supports McDonald’s strategic objectives by delivering high-quality legal guidance, managing risk, negotiating commercial agreements, and collaborating cross‑functionally across the organization.

Requirements

• JD and Bar passage
• 4–6 years of legal experience.
• Strong experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Ability to communicate clearly and influence without authority.
• Strong issue‑spotting and risk-assessment skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage workloads, and deliver under time pressures.
• Experience supporting technology, supplier, or corporate transactional work.
• In‑house counsel experience or direct interaction with business stakeholders.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a large, global organization.
• Demonstrated problem-solving mindset and practical business judgment

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day business‑oriented legal advice to internal partners, primarily within Global Technology.
• Advise stakeholders on legal risks, operational considerations, and decision-making options.
• Support issue resolution related to supplier management, information security, governance, and technology implementation.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including technology, vendor, and service contracts.
• Develop and advise on contract strategies that align with business needs and risk tolerance.
• Provide clear recommendations and practical, solutions-oriented guidance to clients.
• Partner with internal legal teams, business units, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Represent Legal on cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment and clear risk understanding.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, tailoring guidance to diverse audiences.
• Participate in strategic initiatives and project teams to support legal compliance and business continuity.
• Proactively identify risks, propose mitigation strategies, and support consistent application of standards.
• Manage multiple priorities with professionalism, meeting deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

• This position offers health and welfare benefits, a 401(k) plan, adoption assistance program, educational assistance program, flexible ways of working, and time off policies (including sick leave, parental leave, and vacation/PTO).
• This position is eligible for a bonus, calculated based on individual and company performance.
• This position is eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to McDonald’s long-term incentive plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed