Executive Director, Law Center

The U.S. restaurant industry is a cornerstone of the national economy, employing more than 16 million Americans. The industry faces an increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment that directly affects food service establishments' ability to grow and create jobs. The Restaurant Law Center, affiliated with and operationally supported by the National Restaurant Association, is the only independent public policy organization dedicated to representing the food service industry's interests in the courts.

It protects and advances the industry by promoting pro‑business laws and regulations that allow restaurants and hospitality businesses to thrive.

As Executive Director, you will serve as the Law Center's chief legal strategist and spokesperson, developing the organization’s litigation and amicus brief agenda in federal and state courts. Reporting to the Executive Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs at the National Restaurant Association, you will gather intelligence from diverse sources to identify emerging legal issues, align litigation strategy with the Association’s legislative advocacy priorities, negotiate beneficial partnerships with outside counsel, and ensure the industry’s perspective is effectively represented before courts and regulatory agencies.

You will build strategic relationships with federal agencies, state restaurant association affiliates, member companies, allied organizations, and others to advance the Law Center’s mission.

Beyond legal strategy, you will support the Law Center's continued success by expanding engagement, shaping the Restaurant Legal Summit's event strategy to maintain its prestige among industry general counsels and HR leaders, and working with the Law Center Board to develop a long‑term vision that leverages their expertise and networks.

This high‑visibility role combines institutional leadership with sophisticated legal analysis—it requires deep legal expertise, advocacy skills, and the ability to work collaboratively. Leveraging partnerships across government, industry, and the legal community, you will determine which cases and regulatory matters warrant the Law Center's involvement, where its voice can affect outcomes, and how to ensure courts and regulatory agencies understand an industry that touches nearly every community in the country.

Success in your first year will be demonstrated by sustaining the Law Center’s effective litigation and amicus brief programs while establishing strong board engagement, building credibility with premier outside counsel to sustain their partnership in representing the industry, and deepening relationships with National Restaurant Association members so the Law Center continues to be recognized as essential to the Association’s value proposition.

We are partnering with an executive search firm on this critical role. Please use the link below to formally apply directly to Staffing Advisors.

• This role offers a hybrid schedule:
  Monday through Wednesday in our Washington, DC, office, with flexibility to work remotely on Thursday and Friday.
• The targeted salary for this role is up to $345 K with bonus potential, based on experience and alignment with the position. You will also enjoy comprehensive benefits designed to support your financial, professional, and personal well‑being. In addition to outstanding medical, dental, and vision coverage, disability insurance, and generous vacation and leave time, benefits include a matching 401(k) plan, a unique collection of corporate discounts and memberships, as well as programs to support career and skills development, learning and tuition assistance, and so much more.

• Serve as the Law Center's chief legal strategist, providing analysis and recommendations to the Law Center Board and the National Restaurant Association leadership on significant court decisions and their implications.
• Develop and execute the Law Center's strategic litigation agenda to advance the restaurant industry's interests in federal and state…