Workplace Counsel

Panda Restaurant Group, the world leader in Asian dining experiences and parent company of Panda Inn, Panda Express and Hibachi-San, is dedicated to becoming a world leader in people development. Whether through sharing good food with guests or providing opportunities for professional and personal growth with associates, all are embraced in a genuine family environment that is uniquely Panda.

Workplace Counsel provide professional legal support on workplace issues and corporate issues, by providing advice and counsel, managing litigation, including single plaintiff and class actions, guiding and leading compliance initiatives, and managing administrative claims and audits and internal investigations, while applying established standards, principles and practices. Responsibilities include legal negotiations of settlements of cases and/or matters, reviewing and preparing policies and procedures, legal memoranda and related documents, leading, developing and/or implementing compliance initiatives. Will be responsible for training HR and Operations teams on relevant workplace topics. Also, reviews and oversees outside counsel on various legal matters related to workplace issues. Applies legal reasoning and business concepts. Maintains integrity of Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.’s transactional documents, policies and procedure, and assures the best legal position for Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.

* Fields inquiries and assists internal clients with minimal supervision and provides team support to the Corporate Legal Department, Workplace & Employment Team, HR team members and Operators and business partners. * Will work in concert with and as a team with other team members, including attorneys and paralegal(s). * Reviews and revises pleadings, related to matters such as single plaintiff administrative charges and lawsuits * Revises policies and procedures and assists on larger nationwide issues. * Conduct and coordinates internal investigations with minimal supervision. * Responsible for learning and applying intermediate wage and hour, discrimination, and leave of absence/benefit laws and concepts; subject matter expert in a least two major areas of workplace laws. * Takes on internal investigations and litigation matters by coordinating information and documents as needed, applying case handling and litigation strategy and with minimal supervision. * Assists in complex investigations and litigation matters under supervision of Sr. Workplace Counsel, Director or General Counsel. * Stays abreast of changes in the law or current policies and issues related to Workplace/Employment matters to review and/or update Company policies and/or procedures. * Travel 25% for trainings

* 5-7 years of relevant experience with a J.D. and licensed or qualified to practice law in CA * Competent to perform advice and counsel questions unsupervised, such as compliance with wage and hour laws while being proactive in partnership with the business partner. * Class action litigation experience * Strong knowledge of workplace legal concepts and practices * Strong communication skills and ability to work with teams * Strong computer/technical skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite * Strong presentation and training skills, ability to persuade and influence cross functional teams and leaders * Travel 25% for trainings.