Position: Director, Legal Counsel

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Our Blend

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is one of the world’s largest independent and privately-owned specialty coffee and tea retailers. In 1963 we opened our very first store, and today we have over 1200 cafes in 24 countries.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is on an inspiring journey to become the world’s coffee and tea brand. We are united by our passion for connecting people through the daily rituals of coffee and tea—viewing every cup as an opportunity to impact someone’s day.

Our Brew Crew is a diverse team of hard-working optimists with a passion for learning about our craft, the people we serve, and the world around us. We offer the tools, the environment, and the support for you to make your unique contribution and grow as a person.

Passion is contagious, and we’ve got a serious case of it.  If you are just as passionate as we are, come join our Brew Crew!

Brew Crew Opportunity

Our Global Brew Crew is seeking a Legal Counsel to be based in our Los Angeles office.

This role will report to the VP, Global Head of Legal and provide legal support for CBTL’s company-owned and franchised operations in North America, as well as its affiliated entities in the region. This role requires a strong generalist background with experience across a broad range of legal areas, including contracts, franchising, employment, litigation, and regulatory compliance. The Legal Counsel will partner closely with internal teams, work with external counsel, and deliver practical, business-focused legal advice in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will focus on:

• Contracts & Transactions: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements, including franchise, distribution, manufacturing, supply, service, financing, purchase/sale, and vendor contracts.
• Litigation Support: Manage litigation matters in North America in coordination with internal and external counsel, including monitoring claims, assessing risks, developing strategies, and negotiating settlements across areas such as real estate, franchise, intellectual property, and class actions.
• Regulatory & Compliance: Advise on employment, privacy, consumer protection, and marketing laws; review promotional campaigns and contests for legal compliance; research and apply data privacy requirements.
• Corporate Governance: Oversee corporate maintenance for CBTL’s North America entities and support related governance matters.
• Advisory & Counsel: Provide day-to-day legal advice to business leaders and staff at all levels, ensuring practical, solution-oriented guidance aligned with company goals.

Your Ingredients

• J.D. (or foreign equivalent) with active membership in a U.S. state bar.
• California State Bar membership preferred; if not admitted, must be eligible and willing to obtain Registered In-House Counsel status in California and maintain it during employment.
• Minimum 4 years of law firm and/or in-house experience.
• Procurement, human resources, real estate, data privacy, franchise, and litigation experience preferred.
• The ideal candidate is one who received quality training at a law firm and then successfully transitioned to an in-­house position.

Performance & Rewards

At The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, we embrace a high-performance culture that rewards and encourages our values of teamwork, ownership, and respect for one another.

Perks:

• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pet, Accident, Life, Long-Term & Short-Term Disability, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, EAP programs including Legal, ID Theft, & more
• Discounts on our Coffee & Tea
• Gym Discounts
• Mobile phone plan benefits
• Pay Range: $130,000 - $170,000 base pay per year with eligibility for 20% bonus
• Observed Holidays
• Vacation Pay
• Sick Pay

This is a hybrid position: Mon-Wed in our Los Angeles office & Thurs/Fri remote.

Our ‘FROTH’ VALUES

We believe in the fundamental truths that guide us through our daily lives: 

• FRIENDLINESS - We go above and beyond in everything we do. Friendliness and customer-centricity is embedded in our culture.
• RESPECT - We are inclusive and honour each other’s values, opinions and diversity.
• OWNERSHIP - We take ownership and accountability for our individual, team and business results, every day.
• TEAMWORK - As a team, we collaborate, innovate, and leverage our diverse strengths to grow the business.
• HONESTY - We live up to the highest levels of integrity by being truthful and transparent with each other, the business and ourselves.

At The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, we are a global company committed to representing the neighborhoods we serve. We welcome all to apply to our Brew Crew and we value the impact of diversity on our culture and in our work.

International Coffee & Tea, LLC dba The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, sex, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, genetics, or any other status protected by state or federal law. The Coffee Bean &Tea Leaf® expressly prohibits any form of employee harassment or discrimination on the basis of any such protected status.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. This policy was intended to comply, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® so complies, with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.   

Position: Director, Legal Counsel

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Our Blend

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is one of the world’s largest independent and privately-owned specialty coffee and tea retailers. In 1963 we opened our very first store, and today we have over 1200 cafes in 24 countries.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is on an inspiring journey to become the world’s coffee and tea brand. We are united by our passion for connecting people through the daily rituals of coffee and tea—viewing every cup as an opportunity to impact someone’s day.

Our Brew Crew is a diverse team of hard-working optimists with a passion for learning about our craft, the people we serve, and the world around us. We offer the tools, the environment, and the support for you to make your unique contribution and grow as a person.

Passion is contagious, and we’ve got a serious case of it.  If you are just as passionate as we are, come join our Brew Crew!

Brew Crew Opportunity

Our Global Brew Crew is seeking a Legal Counsel to be based in our Los Angeles office.

This role will report to the VP, Global Head of Legal and provide legal support for CBTL’s company-owned and franchised operations in North America, as well as its affiliated entities in the region. This role requires a strong generalist background with experience across a broad range of legal areas, including contracts, franchising, employment, litigation, and regulatory compliance. The Legal Counsel will partner closely with internal teams, work with external counsel, and deliver practical, business-focused legal advice in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will focus on:

• Contracts & Transactions: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements, including franchise, distribution, manufacturing, supply, service, financing, purchase/sale, and vendor contracts.
• Litigation Support: Manage litigation matters in North America in coordination with internal and external counsel, including monitoring claims, assessing risks, developing strategies, and negotiating settlements across areas such as real estate, franchise, intellectual property, and class actions.
• Regulatory & Compliance: Advise on employment, privacy, consumer protection, and marketing laws; review promotional campaigns and contests for legal compliance; research and apply data privacy requirements.
• Corporate Governance: Oversee corporate maintenance for CBTL’s North America entities and support related governance matters.
• Advisory & Counsel: Provide day-to-day legal advice to business leaders and staff at all levels, ensuring practical, solution-oriented guidance aligned with company goals.

Your Ingredients

• J.D. (or foreign equivalent) with active membership in a U.S. state bar.
• California State Bar membership preferred; if not admitted, must be eligible and willing to obtain Registered In-House Counsel status in California and maintain it during employment.
• Minimum 4 years of law firm and/or in-house experience.
• Procurement, human resources, real estate, data privacy, franchise, and litigation experience preferred.
• The ideal candidate is one who received quality training at a law firm and then successfully transitioned to an in-­house position.

Performance & Rewards

At The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, we embrace a high-performance culture that rewards and encourages our values of teamwork, ownership, and respect for one another.

Perks:

• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pet, Accident, Life, Long-Term & Short-Term Disability, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, EAP programs including Legal, ID Theft, & more
• Discounts on our Coffee & Tea
• Gym Discounts
• Mobile phone plan benefits
• Pay Range: $130,000 - $170,000 base pay per year with eligibility for 20% bonus
• Observed Holidays
• Vacation Pay
• Sick Pay

This is a hybrid position: Mon-Wed in our Los Angeles office & Thurs/Fri remote.

Our ‘FROTH’ VALUES

We believe in the fundamental truths that guide us through our daily lives: 

• FRIENDLINESS - We go above and beyond in everything we do. Friendliness and customer-centricity is embedded in our culture.
• RESPECT - We are inclusive and honour each other’s values, opinions and diversity.
• OWNERSHIP - We take ownership and accountability for our individual, team and business results, every day.
• TEAMWORK - As a team, we collaborate, innovate, and leverage our diverse strengths to grow the business.
• HONESTY - We live up to the highest levels of integrity by being truthful and transparent with each other, the business and ourselves.

At The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, we are a global company committed to representing the neighborhoods we serve. We welcome all to apply to our Brew Crew and we value the impact of diversity on our culture and in our work.

International Coffee & Tea, LLC dba The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, sex, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, genetics, or any other status protected by state or federal law. The Coffee Bean &Tea Leaf® expressly prohibits any form of employee harassment or discrimination on the basis of any such protected status.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. This policy was intended to comply, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® so complies, with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.