Counsel (Litigation)

About the role

Based in Pasadena, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN) operates Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP®, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® brands, with over 3,500 restaurants across 20 international markets as of December 28, 2025. The company is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies worldwide and expanded into the Fast Casual segment in 2022. This hybrid position is for an exceptional attorney to serve as Litigation Counsel, reporting to the Associate General Counsel.

Responsibilities

• Hands‑on management and handling of litigation matters for Dine Brands and its brands (Applebee’s and IHOP), including direct involvement in case strategy, investigations, discovery, witness preparation, motion support, and resolution in arbitration, mediation, and state and federal courts.
• Processing and conducting initial review of new lawsuits, attorney demands, and regulatory complaints.
• Active management of outside counsel for strategic and economic resolution of litigation matters.
• Serving as counsel of record as necessary.
• Advising and counseling on pre‑litigation matters.
• Providing business counseling for compliance and risk mitigation.

Requirements

• 5+ years of civil litigation experience in a top‑tier law firm and/or corporation.
• Knowledge of all phases of litigation and trial process in both state and federal court, with hands‑on experience in all aspects of discovery and litigation preparation.
• Experience in alternative dispute procedures, including mediation and arbitration.
• Experience advising on and managing a variety of litigation and threatened claims, ability to oversee outside counsel and personally perform litigation functions to drive efficient, cost‑effective outcomes.
• Ability to provide practical, business‑focused legal counsel on potential disputes, legal risks, and other pre‑litigation matters.
• Ability to handle oversight and review of discovery responses, including legal hold implementation, document preservation, collection strategies, and responses to discovery requests.
• Self‑starter with ownership and initiative on all matters and issues.
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Track record of initiative, problem‑solving abilities, and intellectual curiosity.
• Interest and understanding of a wide range of litigation matters, including labor and employment, trademark, patent, consumer litigation, class actions, regulatory, privacy, and general business disputes.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Excellent business judgment, ability to think strategically and give practical advice.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; must be a team player and work well in a fast‑paced, highly collaborative team environment.
• Experience with the restaurant or hospitality industry, franchise law, employment law, or privacy law is a benefit.
• JD from a top‑tier law school and a member of the California Bar, or qualified to register as an in‑house attorney in California.

Pay

Target base salary: $175,000–$190,000, depending on experience.