Legal Administrator

Position Summary

The Legal Administrator reports to the General Counsel and supports the Legal Department by keeping records, trackers, filings, permits, licenses, invoices, and deadlines organized and up to date across Fogo’s multi‑state restaurant footprint. This role coordinates legal operations, new restaurant permits and liquor license applications, third‑party licensing administration, and documentation for both existing locations and new restaurant openings.

• Provide day‑to‑day administrative support to the Legal Department, including scheduling, signature coordination, invoice and fee processing, mailing/courier coordination, notarization coordination, meeting support, and other department needs.
• Prepare, coordinate, and track permit and liquor license applications and related filings for new restaurants across multiple states and local jurisdictions.
• Coordinate renewal activity for restaurant licenses and permits across multiple states and jurisdictions, including status, deadlines, documentation, fees, escalations, and completion of filings.
• Save, organize, and maintain legal documents, naming conventions, folder structures, searchable files, permission coordination, and active and historical records.
• Maintain Legal Department trackers, including Smartsheet‑based trackers, for contracts, permits and licenses, entities, deadlines, responsible parties, approvals, fees, renewal dates, filing dates, jurisdiction‑specific requirements, new market application milestones, agency follow‑ups, and supporting documents.
• Process licensing consultant invoices, outside counsel invoices, and other Legal Department payments.

• High school diploma required; associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Business, Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, Records Management, or a related field preferred.
• 3‑5 years of legal administrative, executive assistant, licensing coordinator, or comparable administrative experience.
• Experience in‑house, in a law firm, restaurant/hospitality, retail, multi‑unit, franchise, multi‑state, new‑market expansion, or consumer‑facing business environment preferred.
• Experience with multi‑state liquor licensing, permitting, government filings, renewals, new location openings, new jurisdiction research, or state and local regulatory processes strongly preferred.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, deadline management, and ability to maintain accurate trackers and records.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and administrative workflow tools required.
• Experience with SharePoint, Smartsheet, document management, e‑signature tools, licensing platforms, and AI‑enabled productivity tools strongly preferred.

• Organization and Execution: manages priorities, deadlines, documents, and follow‑ups with accuracy.
• Attention to Detail: maintains clean records, accurate trackers, complete files, and reliable documentation.
• Judgment and Confidentiality: handles sensitive legal, licensing, and business information with discretion.
• Communication and Follow‑Through: communicates clearly with internal partners, agencies, consultants, outside counsel, and vendors.
• Learning Agility and Digital Curiosity: adapts to new systems, uses technology to improve work, and remains open to AI‑enabled tools and process improvements.

The Legal Administrator serves as a central point of support for legal records, trackers, licensing calendars, Smartsheet‑based workflows, SharePoint files, third‑party licensing coordination, and other department workflows. Must maintain organized systems, keep data accurate, follow up consistently, and appropriately alert on approaching deadlines, missing information, or jurisdiction‑specific risks.

Ability to work in a professional office environment and use a computer, phone, and standard office equipment for extended periods.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.

Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external partners.

Ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with applicable laws.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Must have a high level of endurance and mental acuity and toughness to manage conflict and deal successfully with high‑stress situations.

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance available for full‑time Team Members from the first of the month following their start date. Company‑paid Life Insurance and Short‑Term Disability are provided where allowed. Voluntary benefits package includes Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Coverage, Permanent Life, and Pet Insurance.

Addison, TX (Texas‑based, in‑office position).

Fogo de Chão is an Equal Opportunity & E Verify Employer.