Company Overview:
At the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), we crave speed. We race the fastest vehicles in motorsports at speeds of more than 300 mph, with power exceeding 11,000 hp, NHRA is the most extreme sport on the planet! At NHRA, we believe in Speed for All, which provides competitive opportunities for all drivers, from streetcar owners to professional racers.
NHRA continues to race forward with a number of key initiatives, including a multiyear partnership with FOX Sports to televise NHRA events from the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, and the Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. FOX Sports networks aired more than 500 hours of programming throughout the year, highlighted by 20+ race-day shows, including eight on FOX’s national network, in addition to qualifying broadcasts throughout the weekend. NHRA fans continue to be some of the most loyal in any sport.
Position Summary:
NHRA’s Legal Department is building for the future and we are looking for a full-time Associate Counsel who is as operationally sharp as they are legally sound. This role supports NHRA’s day-to-day business operations through a diverse range of commercial transactions such as sponsorship and marketing partnerships, suite licenses, vendor contracts, facility licenses, and more, while helping the department operate faster, more efficiently, and more collaboratively across the organization. The Associate Counsel will report directly to the General Counsel and work closely with departments across NHRA, serving as a trusted, practical, and approachable legal advisor.
This position is based in San Dimas, California, and is subject to NHRA’s hybrid work policy, currently requiring at minimum three (3) in-office days per week. Occasional travel to NHRA national events or related business functions may be required.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
· Partner directly with internal stakeholders to draft, review, and negotiate the deals that power NHRA’s business.
· Provide accurate, timely counsel to executives and internal clients on a broad range of operational and strategic matters, balancing legal risk with practical solutions.
· Review advertising, promotional, and marketing materials to ensure compliance with applicable laws and NHRA policies.
· Identify and assess potential legal issues early, develop strategies to reduce risk, and help the organization avoid unnecessary disputes and delays.
· Contribute to continuous improvement across the legal department by refining contract templates, standard practices, and workflow processes that drive speed and consistency.
· Manage contract intake and prioritization across multiple stakeholders, ensuring deadlines are met without sacrificing accuracy or quality.
· Maintain exceptional attention to detail in drafting, analysis, and communication while managing numerous, time-sensitive projects simultaneously.
· Conduct targeted legal research and draft clear, actionable summaries and recommendations.
· Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external business partners, enhancing the legal department’s accessibility, responsiveness, and business-focused approach.
· Stay current on relevant legal trends and regulatory developments affecting NHRA’s operations, partnerships, and events.
· Support the management and administration of NHRA’s records retention policy.
· Prepare and deliver client alerts, training sessions, and educational materials to keep employees informed on relevant legal issues and developments.
· Support the General Counsel in select litigation, dispute resolution, incident response, insurance, and compliance matters.
· Contribute to special projects and other duties and initiatives as assigned by the General Counsel.
Minimum Skills and Qualifications:
· A self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and takes ownership from day one.
· Exceptionally organized and able to prioritize competing demands while meeting tight deadlines with accuracy and composure.
· Curious, detail-oriented, and pragmatic thinker.
· Able to translate complex legal concepts into clear, concise, and actionable guidance for business teams and executives.
· Skilled at building consensus across departments, thinking creatively, and partnering with leadership to achieve business goals.
· Approachable and confident, with the presence to engage directly with senior executives and key partners.
· Motivated to improve how the legal department operates by developing efficient processes, templates, and playbooks that help the business run more smoothly.
· Comfortable operating in the grey, exercising sound judgment to balance legal risk with practical business realities.
· Equipped with strong analytical, drafting, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills, and capable of delivering concise, effective solutions under pressure.
· An exceptional communicator and relationship-builder, capable of building and maintaining trust with internal clients and external stakeholders.
· Eager to learn the inner workings of a dynamic sports organization and contribute to its continued growth and modernization.
Equal Opportunity Statement
NHRA is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
I acknowledge that all information I have provided in conjunction with this employment application is true, accurate, and complete. I understand that any false statement, omission, or misrepresentation provided by me can lead to the rejection and elimination of my employment consideration, rescission of a job offer, or termination of employment if hired. I understand that this application is not an offer of employment and that, if hired, my employment is at-will, meaning either the company or I can terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause, subject to applicable law.
