Legal Counsel (Mandarin Preferred)

Teso Life • New York, NY

8d • $150,000 - $180,000 • Onsite

About The Position

As a key legal advisor to TESO Group and its business teams, the Legal Counsel provides practical, business-oriented legal advice and support across commercial, corporate, real estate, employment, regulatory, and compliance matters. The role calls for strong contract drafting and negotiation skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently in a fast-growing, fast-paced retail environment while ensuring legal compliance and effective risk management.

The position supports commercial contract management, corporate and general business matters, real estate and retail operations, and regulatory compliance. Legal provides employment-law risk assessments and recommendations; employee management and personnel decisions remain the responsibility of HR and business management in accordance with Company policies and the Delegation of Authority (DOA).

This is a full-time, on-site position. Compensation is $150,000–$180,000 per year, with eligibility for a quarterly performance-based bonus subject to the Company's program terms and requirements. Mandarin Chinese is preferred.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar.
• 1–5 years of post-admission legal experience.
• Strong foundation in U.S. corporate and commercial law.
• Extensive experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts, including leases, NDAs, and service agreements.
• Excellent legal research, drafting, and analytical capabilities.
• Ability to explain complex matters clearly to non-legal audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and legal/contract management systems.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to independently manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Sound professional judgment, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, rapidly growing retail environment.
• Excellent teamwork and cross-functional collaboration.

Nice To Haves

• New York State bar admission.
• Experience at a law firm, in a corporate legal department, or in an in-house legal role.
• Experience in retail, e-commerce, consumer products, commercial real estate, or cross-border transactions.
• Fluent Chinese/Mandarin communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage commercial agreements, including supplier, service, nondisclosure, licensing, and marketing agreements.
• Advise internal stakeholders on contractual rights, obligations, risks, and remedies.
• Lead contract negotiations with suppliers, landlords, service providers, and business partners.
• Develop and maintain standard contract templates, playbooks, and legal forms; identify material contractual risks and provide actionable recommendations to management.
• Monitor material contractual obligations, renewals, and termination rights.
• Advise on day-to-day corporate and business operations.
• Assist with corporate governance, entity management, resolutions, and corporate records.
• Support corporate transactions, new business initiatives, strategic partnerships, and special projects.
• Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda and business-oriented recommendations.
• Coordinate with external counsel on specialized legal matters and transactions.
• Support legal matters relating to retail stores, warehouses, offices, and other Company facilities.
• Review and negotiate commercial leases, lease amendments, landlord agreements, construction agreements, and related documents.
• Advise Real Estate, Construction, and Operations teams on legal and contractual issues arising during store openings and business expansion.
• Assist with permits, license applications, and other legal requirements related to retail operations.
• Monitor laws and regulations applicable to retail, e-commerce, and consumer products.
• Advise the Company on regulatory compliance with local and federal legal requirements.
• Provide employment-law risk assessments and recommendations; employee management and personnel decisions remain with HR and business management under Company policies and the DOA.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching, subject to eligibility requirements
• Paid sick leave
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Quarterly performance-based bonus, subject to program eligibility requirements, performance criteria, and terms

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree