Counsel
Date: Jun 26, 2025
Location: Chicago, IL, US, 60607
Company: McDonald's Corporation
Company Description:
McDonald’s is proud to be one of the most recognized brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries that serve 70 million customers daily. We continue to operate from a position of strength. Our updated growth strategy is focused on staying ahead of what our customers want and realizing further growth potential. Our relentless ambition is why McDonald’s remains one of the world’s leading corporations after almost 70 years. Joining McDonald's means thinking big and preparing for a career that can have influence around the world.
At McDonald’s, we see every day as a chance to create positive impact. We lead through our values centered on inclusivity, service, integrity, community and family. From support of Ronald McDonald House Charities to our Youth Opportunity project and sustainability initiatives, our values keep us dedicated to using our scale for good: good for our customers, people, industry and planet. We also offer a broad range of outstanding benefits including a sabbatical program, tuition assistance and flexible work arrangements.
Department Overview
The Legal Commercial Practice Group is comprised of lawyers and other professionals who provide support to a variety of McDonald’s U.S. and Global Business Functions covering areas such as Supply Chain, Global Impact, Operations, Internal Audit, and Human Resources, primarily in connection with commercial transactions and corporate initiatives. The Commercial Practice Group has an immediate opening for a Counsel.
Duties
- Provide day-to-day legal and business advice to various departments.
- Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts for select departments and groups within McDonald’s, including synthesizing complex issues and options for decision makers, including with respect to direct supply chain engagements aimed at supporting various ESG commitments.
- Work collaboratively across various Legal and client teams, such as Global Impact, Communications, Supply Chain, Finance and Investor Relations.
- Represent the Legal department on cross-functional project teams charged with procuring and deploying global initiatives.
- Identify and understand the potential legal risks associated with each initiative and engage domestic and international attorneys with subject matter expertise, if necessary, to address such risks and provide practical, solution-based advice to clients.
- Act as the primary legal support for each project team and facilitate and lead the participation of all attorneys required for the project.
- Engage with and advise senior management charged with owning the project on legal and business issues.
- Develop innovative approaches to legal issues in support of strategic business initiatives and objectives.
- Establish proactive and trustworthy relationships with clients as well as other members of the legal organization globally.
- Work independently and efficiently under time pressures and deadlines in a dynamic, demanding environment.
Qualifications
- JD with at least 3 years of transactional legal experience required.
- Commercial contracts experience required, including reviewing, drafting, negotiating and advising on commercial relationships with major vendors. Experience with ESG claims and related transactions a plus.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Proven ability to identify risks and to comfortably make risk recommendations and decisions, escalating where appropriate.
- Outstanding communications and leadership skills with proven success in building internal and external partnerships.
- Ability to be a strategic partner and trusted advisor for US and global business clients.
- Ability to find practical solutions to business challenges.
- Must exercise sound judgment, be able to work efficiently under time pressures and deadlines in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
- Ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams.
- Experience within a global and/or franchised organization is preferred.
Compensation
Benefits eligible: Yes
Bonus eligible: Yes
Long term incentive eligible: Yes
Competencies
Additional Information:
Benefits eligible: This position offers health and welfare benefits, a 401(k) plan, adoption assistance program, educational assistance program, flexible ways of working, and time off policies (including sick leave, parental leave, and vacation/PTO). Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment.
Bonus eligible: This position is eligible for a bonus, calculated based on individual and company performance.
Long term Incentive eligible: This position is eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to McDonald’s long-term incentive plan.
McDonald’s is an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our workforce. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone. McDonald’s provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact mcdhrbenefits@us.mcd.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
McDonald’s provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, disability status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, protected military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Nothing in this job posting or description should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.
Nearest Major Market: Chicago