Senior Counsel, Owned & Managed Hotels

Senior Counsel, Owned & Managed
Rockville, MD (Hybrid)
Who are we looking for?
Choice Hotels, one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, has an exciting new opportunity as our Senior Counsel, Owned & Managed in the Legal Department. The Legal Department is responsible for providing legal advice to owned and managed hotel assets under the Cambria, Radisson Blu, Radisson Red, Radisson and Country Inn & Suites brands.
We invite you to apply today for our Senior Counsel, Owned & Managed role today and #MakeItYourChoice.
Your Responsibilities:
Provide advice to management related to transactional legal work associated with owned and Managed Hotels. Primary responsibilities will include:

• Development Support - drafting and negotiating LOIs, Hotel Management Agreements (HMA)/Technical Service Agreements (TSA), Financing Agreements and entity formation for new management entities.
• Transactional work arising during HMA term - HMA Amendments, SNDAs, assisting with refinancing of owned assets and space lease agreements.
• Operations Support - Advise on management/ownership relationship issues, finance questions, answer finance questions related to deal structure, work with colleagues on termination agreements for Managed Hotels, advise on safety and security issues, provide guidance on hotel employee HR issues and assist with vendor dispute resolution.
• Participation in the managed hotel staff and group meetings.
• Hotel level contracts - act as resource for hotel management when contract issues crop up with vendors, groups, individuals. Oversee outside counsel related to labor contract issues.
• Licensing - work with team to assist with liquor licensing issues and other hotel- based licensing and registration requirements.

Your Experience, Skills & Competencies

• JD and Bar membership required.
• Minimum of 6+ year's relevant experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in the hotel industry and contract drafting experience.
• Demonstrated record of strong negotiation skills required.
• Demonstrated strength in written and oral communication
• Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to effectively interact with others, including senior management, internal clients, peers, support team, franchisees required and opposing counsel.
• Familiarity with franchise law, business organization law, dispute resolution, and contract law required.
• Corporate in-house experience preferred.
• Must be able to uphold Choice's Values & Performance Principles of collaboration, performance excellence, sense of urgency, openness to new ideas, inclusion & diversity, integrity, customer focus, and respect.

This role will report to the Assistant General Counsel and may have direct reports.
Your Work Location
As our Senior Counsel, Owned & Managed, you will be based in our beautiful, state-of-the-art worldwide corporate headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. Less than 15 miles from Washington, DC, we're located directly across from the Rockville Metro station, with service on the Red Line and the MARC Brunswick line, easy access to I-270, and plenty of free parking provided by Choice Hotels.
Right now, our associates in Rockville, MD are working in a hybrid environment, between three-four days per week in the office and working virtually the remaining days. We provide flexibility and encourage ongoing communication with your leadership to establish expectations about your unique needs.
About Choice
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. With more than 7,100 hotels, representing over 600,000 rooms, in nearly 40 countries and territories as of December 31, 2021, the Choice® family of hotel brands provide business and leisure travelers with a range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upscale, midscale, extended-stay and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges® loyalty program offers members benefits ranging from everyday rewards to exceptional experiences.
At our worldwide corporate headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, and technology center in Scottsdale, Arizona, and through our associates around the globe, we keep Choice hotels thriving by serving as a champion for our franchisees and providing cutting-edge technology.
*** This role is not eligible for sponsorship ***
Ability to model Choice's Cultural Values: Welcome and Respect Everyone, Be Bold, Be Quick, Listen, Be Curious and Show Integrity.