Associate General Counsel

Position Summary :

The AssociateGeneral Counsel will be responsible to assist the General Counseland legal department in managing the organization’s legal matters and will advise executive and senior management on such matters. These duties include: 1) assisting in the compliance and risk management activities for the Company, including a) compliance with regulatory, employment and corporate governance laws and practices, and b) risk management for new store development and store operation activities; 2) reviewing and/or drafting agreements and documents relating to mergers and acquisitions, new store development and construction, leasing, employment, vendors and sales, and internal corporate records(minutes, resolutions and consents); 3) reporting to and coordination with the group Headquarters’ legal department in Japan; and 4) assisting with hiring and managing of outside legal counsel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES (responsibilities include,but are not limited to)

Assists General Counseland Legal Department to:

Provide accuratelegal guidance to senior management and the executive staff on all matters that affect the company

Manage the compliance, risk management and legal servicesgroups

Attend executive level meetings related to the strategic direction of the company, including potential mergersand acquisitions, changesin company policies,and other strategic matters

Review and/ordraft M&A, store development, construction, real estate, lease,employment, vendor and operational agreements

Oversees the company’s compliance with all regulatory, employment and corporate governance laws and practices

Manage and overseeinternal investigations and reviews

Manage and overseeclaims and litigation

Provide legal guidance on HR, employment and personnel matters

Oversees the Company’s compliance with trade, labeling, employee safety and consumer protection regulations

Manage copyrights and trademarks

Oversee work that'sbeen outsourced to attorneys at independent firms

Draft, maintainand preserve businessrecords such as minutes of meetings, resolutions, and consents

Training:

Provide trainingin new policies and procedures for all companyexecutives and staff

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

Complies with all applicable professional responsibility, professional conduct and ethics rules applicable to U.S. attorneys

Maintains and preserves the attorney-client privilege for the Company in connection with confidential and privileged communications

Follows Company guidelines for managing confidential information, customer satisfaction and supervising store personnel

Oversees maintenance, appearance and condition of store locations to comply with security, safety and environmental codes and ordinances

Oversees compliance with all local, state, federal regulations and company policy pertaining to safety and loss prevention

Oversees compliance with all OSHA requirements

QUALIFICATIONSAND PRIOR EXPERIENCE

The required qualifications are as follows:

A minimum of 2 to 4 years of work experience in a law firm or legal related setting

Experience in working in multi-cultural environment (U.S. and Asia preferred)

Experience with interactions with external or internal clients, and external or internal attorneys and other legal personnel in a multi-cultural environment (U.S. and Asia preferred)

Ability to make prudent and practical legal decisions and recommendations taking into account business and multi-cultural considerations

Strong verbal and written communication skills in a multi-cultural environment (U.S. and Asia preferred)

Mature, adaptable, flexible, and patience are key qualities

Pleasant and positive attitude of “can do”

Outstanding advocacy and people skills

Ability to interact with all levels of management

Experience with corporate governance issues and corporate administrative duties

Knowledge and understanding of statutes, rules and regulations pertaining to the Essential Duties and Additional Duties set forth above

Ability to effectively communicate and respond to questions from the general public and management

Proficient with communication by e-mail and computers in general

Licensed to practice law in the State of California or Hawaii

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor degree from American Bar Association accredited law school

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Noise level is moderate. Local, statewide and international traveling by is required.

SKILLS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to frequently reach, lift, stack and maneuver objects of varying dimensions and weights up to approximately 50 lbs. with a lifting aid. And up to 20 lbs. without aid.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time, walk and move rapidly, bend, stoop, climb, twist, and turn frequently. Manual dexterity and good eye-hand coordination are necessary.

Mental alertness is necessary to ensure safe and accurate completion of work activities. Requires knowledge of basic math, weights and measures. Ability to learn section policies and procedures.