At Fogo de Chão, we strive to give our guests an unforgettable dining experience of discovery while showcasing the Culinary Art of Churrasco. Our mission is to ignite fire and joy to care for our team, our guests, and our communities. We believe better futures start when we bring our best to the table every day to Feed a Purposeful Future – starting with our team members. We feed our teams with fulfilling job opportunities, making space around the table so everyone feels welcome. At Fogo, we’ll provide you with a fulfilling career with professional and personal growth opportunities at every level. Our values of teamwork, integrity, excellence, humility and Deixa Comigo (we’ve got you!) are more than just words, it’s how we do things every day.

We are seeking an Associate General Counsel to join our legal team during a phase of strategic growth. The Associate General Counsel will provide legal support and guidance for an international restaurant company that operates company-owned restaurants in the United States and globally, and franchises restaurants globally. This role requires a dynamic and experienced legal professional who can navigate the complexities of domestic and international business operations and contribute to the company's strategic goals.

This individual will be a key partner in navigating the company through a future IPO process. This role is intended as a succession position for our current General Counsel and will involve close collaboration with senior leadership, Bain Capital, and external stakeholders.

The preferred candidate will possess extensive expertise in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and public company preparedness. Additionally, they should have significant experience with cross-border transactions and regulatory frameworks. This role will also be involved in supporting our Brazil operations, making fluency in Portuguese or Spanish proficiency a strong asset. This role involves working directly with the executive team, board of directors, and private equity sponsor.

Key Responsibilities

• IPO Readiness & Execution: Contribute to IPO strategy, documentation (S-1), due diligence, and corporate restructuring efforts. Assist in building and implementing governance frameworks and compliance infrastructure required for public company operations. Coordinate with internal stakeholders, external counsel, and underwriters.
• Corporate Governance & Business Advisory: Support the General Counsel on board and committee governance, bylaw maintenance, and executive/board compliance programs. Provide legal support for strategic business initiatives, including acquisitions, divestitures, global expansion (with a focus on Brazil), and new entity formation.
• Post-IPO Public Company Matters: Partner in compliance with SEC regulations, Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, and FASB revenue recognition standards. Involved in preparation and review of public disclosures (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K), proxy statements, and investor communications. Support executive leadership on earnings call prep and related disclosure matters.
• Legal Compliance: Partner in compliance with local, national, and international laws and regulations across all operational jurisdictions, including franchise laws, labor laws, and corporate governance.
• Contract Management: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of legal documents including franchise agreements, vendor contracts, and licensing agreements.
• Risk Management: Identify potential legal risks and provide strategic advice to mitigate those risks, safeguarding the company’s interests.
• Litigation Support: Manage and oversee litigation and dispute resolution processes, working with external counsel as necessary.
• Corporate Governance: Partner in supporting the Board of Directors and executive team in matters of corporate governance, ensuring adherence to best practices and legal standards.
• Franchise Operations: Provide legal counsel specific to franchising operations, including franchisee relations, compliance, and expansion strategies.
• Other Areas of Focus: Assist as needed in various other areas as needed (i.e. Intellectual Property, Real Estate Portfolio Management, Property Management)
• Mergers and Acquisitions: Advise on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other corporate transactions, including due diligence and integration processes.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from accredited law school
• Licensed and in good standing with at last one U.S state bar or equivalent international qualification
• 10+ years of legal experience
• Experience working with or advising public companies or companies preparing for IPO.
• Familiarity with private equity ownership structures and public company compliance (SOX, FASB).
• Experience supporting international operations, with a preference for Brazil-related legal and regulatory matters.

Preferred Attributes:

• Strategic legal leader with experience navigating complex, cross-border transactions and capital markets.
• Bilingual fluency in Portuguese and English is strongly preferred; additional language skills (e.g., Spanish) a plus.

Competencies & Traits

• Visioning – Able to think long-term and craft legal frameworks that support business goals.
• Business Acumen – Understand financial models, equity structures, and operational impacts of legal decisions.
• Influence & Courage – Confident in advising executive leadership and challenging the status quo where necessary.
• Organizational Savvy – Navigate complex structures, especially in private equity-backed environments.
• Integrity & Ethics – Act as a champion of compliance and sound corporate citizenship.
• Continuous Learning – Stay abreast of evolving laws, governance practices, and regulatory shifts.

Career Path

This position is designed as a succession role to the General Counsel, with ongoing development, strategic exposure, and leadership opportunities to support that trajectory.

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance are available for full-time Team Members on the first of the month following their start date. Additionally, company-paid Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability are provided where allowed. We offer a comprehensive voluntary benefits package including Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Accident Coverage.