Executive Director, Law Center

The U.S. restaurant industry is a cornerstone of the national economy, employing more than 16 million Americans. The industry faces an increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment that directly affects foodservice establishments' ability to grow and create jobs. The Restaurant Law Center, affiliated with and operationally supported by the National Restaurant Association, is the only independent public policy organization dedicated to representing the foodservice industry's interests in the courts, protecting and advancing the restaurant industry by promoting pro-business laws and regulations that allow restaurants and hospitality businesses to thrive.

As Executive Director, you will serve as the Law Center's chief legal strategist and spokesperson, developing the organization's litigation and amicus brief agenda in federal and state courts. Reporting to the Executive Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs at the National Restaurant Association, you will gather intelligence from diverse sources to identify emerging legal issues, align litigation strategy with the Association's legislative advocacy priorities, negotiate beneficial partnerships with outside counsel, and ensure the industry's perspective is effectively represented before courts and regulatory agencies. You will build strategic relationships with federal agencies, state restaurant association affiliates, member companies, allied organizations, and others to advance the Law Center's mission.

Beyond legal strategy, you will support the Law Center's continued success by expanding engagement, shaping the Restaurant Legal Summit's event strategy to maintain its prestige among industry general counsels and HR leaders, and working with the Law Center Board to develop a long-term vision that leverages their expertise and networks.

This high-visibility role combines institutional leadership with sophisticated legal analysis-it requires deep legal expertise, advocacy skills, and the ability to work collaboratively. Leveraging partnerships across government, industry, and the legal community, you will determine which cases and regulatory matters warrant the Law Center's involvement, where its voice can affect outcomes, and how to ensure courts and regulatory agencies understand an industry that touches nearly every community in the country.

Success in your first year will be demonstrated by sustaining the Law Center's effective litigation and amicus brief programs while establishing strong board engagement, building credibility with premier outside counsel to sustain their partnership in representing the industry, and deepening relationships with National Restaurant Association members so the Law Center continues to be recognized as essential to the Association's value proposition.

We are partnering with an executive search firm on this critical role. Please use the link below to formally apply directly to Staffing Advisors.

Executive Director of the Restaurant Law Center | Staffing Advisors

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

• This role offers a hybrid schedule: Monday through Wednesday in our Washington, DC, office, with flexibility to work remotely on Thursday and Friday.
• The targeted salary for this role is up to $345K with bonus potential, based on experience and alignment with the position. You will also enjoy comprehensive benefits designed to support your financial, professional, and personal well-being. In addition to outstanding medical, dental, and vision coverage, disability insurance, and generous vacation and leave time, benefits include a matching 401(k) plan, a unique collection of corporate discounts and memberships, as well as programs to support career and skills development, learning and tuition assistance, and so much more.

Responsibilities

Legal Strategy & Litigation

• Serve as the Law Center's chief legal strategist, providing analysis and recommendations to the Law Center Board and the National Restaurant Association leadership on significant court decisions and their implications.
• Develop and execute the Law Center's strategic litigation agenda to advance the restaurant industry's interests in federal and state courts.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize opportunities for amicus participation in cases that may significantly impact the restaurant and food service industry.
• Lead first party litigation initiatives on behalf of the Law Center when direct legal action is necessary to protect industry interests.
• Oversee the preparation and filing of amicus briefs, ensuring high-quality legal arguments that effectively communicate the industry's perspective.
• Manage relationships with outside counsel, coordinating legal strategy and ensuring cost-effective representation.
• Monitor judicial and regulatory proceedings nationwide to identify emerging legal issues that may affect the restaurant industry.
• Collaborate with the Association's Policy and Government Affairs team to ensure alignment between litigation strategy and legislative advocacy priorities.
• Represent the Law Center before courts, regulatory agencies, and in public forums as the industry's legal spokesperson.
• Develop and maintain expertise in key legal areas affecting restaurants, including labor and employment law, regulatory compliance, franchising, accessibility, and commercial litigation.

Board Relations & Governance

• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Law Center's Board of Directors, providing regular updates on litigation activities, strategic initiatives, and organizational performance.
• Prepare materials for and facilitate Board meetings, ensuring directors are well-informed and engaged in strategic decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with the Board to develop and refine the Law Center's strategic priorities and long-term vision.
• Cultivate relationships with Board members to leverage their expertise, networks, and resources in support of the Law Center's mission.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and maintain relationships with state restaurant associations and their legal counsel to coordinate nationwide litigation efforts.
• Work with member companies to understand their legal challenges and ensure the Law Center's activities address their most pressing concerns.
• Develop educational materials and presentations to inform Association members about significant legal developments affecting the industry.
• Coordinate with allied business organizations and trade associations on collaborative litigation efforts.

Membership Development & Events

• Develop and implement strategies to recruit new corporate members to the Law Center, expanding the membership base and revenue sources.
• Engage prospective corporate members through presentations, meetings, and demonstrations of the Law Center's value proposition.
• Maintain strong relationships with existing corporate members, ensuring their needs are met and their engagement remains strong.
• With logistical support from the Association's event team, plan, organize, and execute the annual Restaurant Law Summit, bringing together industry leaders, legal experts, and policymakers to address critical legal issues facing the restaurant sector.

Thought Leadership & Public Representation

• Provide thought leadership through articles, speeches, and media appearances on legal issues facing the restaurant industry.
• Represent the Law Center at legal conferences, bar association meetings, and industry events.

Operations & Management

• Manage the Law Center's budget, allocating resources effectively to maximize impact.
• Report regularly to the National Restaurant Association leadership and Law Center Board of Directors on litigation activities, outcomes, and strategic priorities.
• Ensure the Law Center's operations comply with applicable nonprofit and tax-exempt organization requirements.
• Engage prospective corporate members through presentations, meetings, and demonstrations of the Law Center's value proposition.
• Develop and implement strategies to recruit new corporate members to the Law Center, expanding the membership base and revenue sources.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of legal experience with substantial appellate experience. Experience in legal areas relevant to the restaurant and hospitality industry (labor and employment, regulatory compliance, franchising, etc.) is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record in amicus brief writing and strategic litigation, with the ability to identify cases and legal issues with industry-wide implications.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one state bar.
• Exceptional legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, with sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive legal matters.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing legal programs or directing litigation strategy, including coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Strong relationship-building skills and proven ability to work effectively with outside counsel, member companies, government officials, and allied organizations.
• Ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, accessible language for diverse audiences.
• Commitment to advancing industry interests while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The National Restaurant Association, National Restaurant Association Solutions, LLC, and The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (together, "Company") is committed to equal employment opportunity, and it is Company's policy to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status and disability, or other legally protected status, and we will ensure that all employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements.

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.