About this role
company
About TESO Group
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in New York, TESO Group is a rapidly growing Asian lifestyle retail group in the United States. Its portfolio includes TESO Life, its flagship general merchandise retail brand; TESO X, a collectible toy retail concept; TESO Mini, an Asian convenience store concept; and proprietary brands including MONKIMON and O’HOMNI.
The Group currently operates 35 stores across 14 states, with another 67 locations under construction or in development, and aims to open more than 300 stores by 2030. Its product categories include beauty, snacks, collectible toys, home goods, stationery, and pet products, serving more than 450,000 customers per month.
role
Position Overview
As a key legal advisor to TESO Group and its business teams, the Legal Counsel provides practical, business-oriented legal advice and support. This position provides comprehensive support across a wide range of commercial, corporate, real estate, employment, regulatory, and compliance matters. The ideal candidate possesses strong contract drafting and negotiation skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently in a fast-growing, fast-paced retail environment, ensuring legal compliance and effective risk management.
Job Responsibilities
- Commercial Contract Management
- Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a variety of commercial agreements, including supplier agreements, service agreements, nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), licensing agreements, and marketing agreements.
- Advise internal stakeholders on contractual rights, obligations, risks, and remedies.
- Lead contract negotiations with suppliers, landlords, service providers, and business partners.
- Develop and maintain standard contract templates, playbooks, and legal forms; identify material contractual risks and provide actionable recommendations to management.
- Monitor material contractual obligations, renewals, and termination rights.
- Corporate and General Business Matters
- Provide legal advice on day-to-day corporate and business operations.
- Assist with corporate governance, entity management, resolutions, and corporate records.
- Support corporate transactions, new business initiatives, strategic partnerships, and other special projects.
- Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda and business-oriented recommendations.
- Coordinate with external counsel on specialized legal matters and transactions.
- Real Estate and Retail Operations
- Support legal matters relating to retail stores, warehouses, offices, and other Company facilities.
- Review and negotiate commercial leases, lease amendments, landlord agreements, construction agreements, and related documents.
- Advise Real Estate, Construction, and Operations teams on legal and contractual issues arising during store openings and business expansion.
- Assist with permits, license applications, and other legal requirements related to retail operations.
- Regulatory and Compliance
- Monitor laws and regulations applicable to retail, e-commerce, and consumer products.
- Advise the Company on regulatory compliance to ensure operations comply with local and federal legal requirements.
- Employment Law Support / Legal Consultation
- Legal provides legal risk assessments and recommendations; employee management and personnel decisions remain the responsibility of HR and business management in accordance with Company policies and the Delegation of Authority (DOA).
Required Qualifications
- Education : Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree from an accredited law school; active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar. New York State bar admission preferred.
- Professional Experience : 1–5 years of post-admission legal experience, preferably at a law firm, in a corporate legal department, or in-house legal role. Experience in retail, e-commerce, consumer products, commercial real estate, or cross-border transactions preferred.
- Knowledge & Skills :
- Legal Knowledge : Strong foundation in U.S. corporate and commercial law; extensive experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts (including leases, NDAs, and service agreements).
- Professional Skills : Excellent legal research, drafting, and analytical capabilities.
- Language : Ability to explain complex matters clearly to non-legal audiences; fluent Chinese/Mandarin communication preferred.
- Technology : Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and legal/contract management systems.
- Core Competencies : Strong attention to detail; ability to independently manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines; sound professional judgment, integrity, and confidentiality; ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, rapidly growing retail environment; excellent teamwork and cross-functional collaboration.
Compensation
- $150,000 - $180,000 per year
- Quarterly Performance Bonus: This position is eligible for a quarterly performance-based bonus, subject to the eligibility requirements, performance criteria, and terms of the Company's bonus program.
Benefits
- 401(k) & 401(k) matching - subject to the eligibility requirements
- Paid Sick Leave
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid Time Off
Language Requirement : Mandarin Chinese preferred
Job Type: Full-Time (On-Site)