Associate Counsel

Company Overview

At the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), we crave speed. We race the fastest vehicles in motorsports at speeds of more than 300 mph, with power exceeding 11,000 hp, NHRA is the most extreme sport on the planet! At NHRA, we believe in Speed for All, which provides competitive opportunities for all drivers, from streetcar owners to professional racers.

NHRA continues to race forward with a number of key initiatives, including a multiyear partnership with FOX Sports to televise NHRA events from the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, and the Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. FOX Sports networks aired more than 500 hours of programming throughout the year, highlighted by 20+ race-day shows, including eight on FOX’s national network, in addition to qualifying broadcasts throughout the weekend.

NHRA fans continue to be some of the most loyal in any sport.

NHRA’s Legal Department is building for the future and we are looking for a full-time Associate Counsel who is as operationally sharp as they are legally sound. This role supports NHRA’s day-to-day business operations through a diverse range of commercial transactions such as sponsorship and marketing partnerships, suite licenses, vendor contracts, facility licenses, and more, while helping the department operate faster, more efficiently, and more collaboratively across the organization.

The Associate Counsel will report directly to the General Counsel and work closely with departments across NHRA, serving as a trusted, practical, and approachable legal advisor.

This position is based in San Dimas, California, and is subject to NHRA’s hybrid work policy, currently requiring at minimum three (3) in-office days per week. Occasional travel to NHRA national events or related business functions may be required.

• Partner directly with internal stakeholders to draft, review, and negotiate the deals that power NHRA’s business.
• Provide accurate, timely counsel to executives and internal clients on a broad range of operational and strategic matters, balancing legal risk with practical solutions.
• Review advertising, promotional, and marketing materials to ensure compliance with applicable laws and NHRA policies.
• Identify and assess potential legal issues early, develop strategies to reduce risk, and help the organization avoid unnecessary disputes and delays.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across the legal department by refining contract templates, standard practices, and workflow processes that drive speed and consistency.
• Manage contract intake and prioritization across multiple stakeholders, ensuring deadlines are met without sacrificing accuracy or quality.
• Maintain exceptional attention to detail in drafting, analysis, and communication while managing numerous, time-sensitive projects simultaneously.
• Conduct targeted legal research and draft clear, actionable summaries and recommendations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external business partners, enhancing the legal department’s accessibility, responsiveness, and business-focused approach.
• Stay current on relevant legal trends and regulatory developments affecting NHRA’s operations, partnerships, and events.
• Support the management and administration of NHRA’s records retention policy.
• Prepare and deliver client alerts, training sessions, and educational materials to keep employees informed on relevant legal issues and developments.
• Support the General Counsel in select litigation, dispute resolution, incident response, insurance, and compliance matters.
• Contribute to special projects and other duties and initiatives as assigned by the General Counsel.

• A self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and takes ownership from day one.
• Exceptionally organized and able to prioritize competing demands while meeting tight deadlines with accuracy and composure.
• Curious, detail-oriented, and pragmatic thinker.
• Able to translate complex legal concepts into clear, concise, and actionable guidance for business teams and executives.
• Skilled…