Paralegal II – North America Franchise Transactions

Marriott International, Inc., based in Bethesda, Maryland, operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts and branded residential properties globally. Marriott’s Law Department services the Company's lodging and hospitality business and provides legal advice and counsel to Marriott’s internal clients.

The Franchise Transactions team is responsible for representing Marriott in meeting its growth objectives and is also responsible for providing owner relations and day-to-day operations legal support for the 5,000 open Marriott franchised hotels in the United States and Canada. The team works with various Marriott corporate departments and disciplines, and helps Marriott achieve its business objectives by negotiating and drafting contracts with owners, operators, and lenders for each franchised hotel in the United States and Canada.

This paralegal position is part of the larger Corporate Transactions and North American Hotel Development practice group of the Law Department and will report to a franchise transactions attorney.  Currently, several franchise transactions attorneys and paralegals are assigned to a geographic territory of the United States and Canada, and they share responsibility for contractual matters for hotels in their territory and for the data entry and maintenance of the databases with respect to such hotels.  The paralegal will work in such a team but would be expected to assist other attorneys and paralegals in the Group as the need arises.

Specific Job Summary

The primary responsibilities of this position will be:

• Provide direct support to the attorneys and assist other members of the Group in the performance of their duties and responsibilities.
• Interface with the internal Marriott franchise transactions personnel, as well as franchisees and their administrative staff, to conduct organizational due diligence and obtain all required information for completion of franchise agreements and related documents.
• Prepare drafts of franchise documents (including franchise agreements, guaranties, comfort letters, amendments, and other agreements), primarily utilizing forms and standardized provisions; prepare drafts of negotiated changes to agreements.
• Review and screen information, comments, and questions received from franchisees and their counsel, and prepare initial draft responses for attorney review.
• Facilitate full execution of documents by franchisees and ensure executed originals are returned and filed appropriately.
• Leverage technology to improve efficiency throughout contract generation and execution process.
• Undertake special assignments, including research, review, and analysis of contract documentation and other issues, as requested.
• Maintain and update enterprise legal management database for up-to-date tracking of the status of franchise documents.
• Obtain information and assist in the preparation of franchise disclosure documents and collateral documents for submission to government authorities. 
• Respond as necessary to miscellaneous franchise development and operational issues.

Candidate Profile

Required:

• Two year college degree and
• Minimum relevant work experience of three years.

OR

• Four year college degree and
• Minimum relevant work experience of one year.

OR

• At least ten years of relevant work experience as a paralegal

Has basic subject matter paralegal experience; Paralegal Certificate preferred but not required

Successful candidates should possess knowledge and skills as follows:

• Strong project management skills, and ability to meet simultaneous deadlines in a fast-paced environment;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact and communicate effectively, specifically:
  • Ability to present ideas and information in a clear, concise manner both in writing and verbally;
  • Ability to interact effectively and develop positive, professional working relationships with clients as well as team members
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Good judgment and use of discretion;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Diligence, dependability, and strong work ethic;
• Ability to remain calm in high stress situations, demonstrate “grace under pressure,” and lead by example;
• Ability to adapt to changing work demands;
• Strong organizational and time management skills;
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and Outlook;
• Familiarity with database functionality and operation;
• Availability for minimal travel; and
• Flexibility for overtime.