Franchise attorney
Setting up a franchise business is a very complicated issue and should not be done without the help of a franchise attorney. No matter how knowledgeable and skilled you are and how helpful your franchiser is but with such issues you should not take a chance and hire your own franchise attorney. The franchise attorney can help you both in cases when you start your own business and even for proprietorship. Franchise agreements are difficult to understand and you should be careful.
Generally people commit the mistake of hiring a contract attorney however; a contract attorney might not be competent in handling your franchise in the same way that a franchise attorney can handle. Protection of the brand of the franchiser is the main aim of the franchising agreement. The franchise attorney would look through the clauses of the contract and protect the franchiser from an unskilled franchisee.
How does the franchise attorney help?
Any franchise attorney who is experienced would know the terms of the franchising contract immediately if there are any abnormalities. Moreover the franchise attorney can also tell you the parts of the agreement that can be negotiated on. But the most important thing that the franchise attorney helps is in evaluating whether the franchise opportunity is worth agreeing or not. There are special franchise laws that the attorney is aware of. The franchise attorney is supposed to work according to these laws and should know the process of franchising well. Depending on the state in which you are taking the franchise the attorney would be able to guide you accordingly and help you in assessing your venture.
The franchise attorney will help you through process of franchise particularly with:
? Review of the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular
? Review of renewal agreements
Negotiation with the franchiser
? Negotiation of leases ?Preparation of shareholder agreement?
? Help with dispute resolution
Searching for a franchise attorney
You can start looking for a franchise attorney by getting referrals from other attorneys. This is one of the best ways of hiring a franchise attorney. You can also get referrals from the American Bar Association or from the International Franchise Association.
The telephone directory is also a good source from where you can get a list of franchise attorneys functioning in your area. You can look into the phone book and see the section for business or franchise attorneys.
Once you have the contacts of these attorneys then you can start contacting each of them and ask them for the following details:
? How long has the attorney been practicing?
? Is the attorney a member of the State bar association or not?
? Does the attorney deal with cases of your type?
? How many cases has the attorney handled successfully? ?What percentage of the practice does the attorney devote towards criminal cases?
? Will the attorney take up your case?
? How long will your case take? ?How much does the attorney charge?
?Does the attorney have an investigation team and whether the charges are included in the attorney fees?
? Will the attorney be available to speak to you whenever you call him regarding your case?
Franchise attorneys
Some of the franchise attorneys functioning in the United State are mentioned below.
Pitegoff Law Office:
They are devoted to serve growing businesses. They understand the complexities of the business and they draft and negotiate contracts that would help their clients achieve their business goals. Their practice is limited to the business law. They have helped a number of businesses in drafting franchise agreements and take up cases of franchise laws. You can contact them at 10 Bank Street, Suite 540; White Plains, NY 10606; Tel: 914-681-0100; Email: info@pitlaw.com.
Mario L. Herman:
He has more than 20 years of experience as a sole practitioner on franchise matters. He deals directly with the clients. They don?t pass any case to their paralegal or associate staff. If you wish to take a national or an international franchise then you can contact them for any legal issue at 2987 Hope Mills Lane; Adamstown, MD 21710; Phone: 301.607.4111; Cell: 571.245.6248; Fax: 301.874.1585.
Alschuler Grossman Stein & Kahan, LLP:
They are a nationally recognized law firm dealing with structuring franchise and other types of distribution programs. They take up legal issues related to franchise registration and disclosure compliance, trademark registration and protection, franchise and dealer dispute resolution and related areas. They have years of experience in dealing with such issues. You can contact them at 1620 26th Street; North Tower, 4th Floor; Santa Monica, CA 90404; phone: 310-907-1000; Fax: 310-907-2000; E-mail: sgrueneberg@agsk.com
Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP:
They are a franchise law firm that deal with issues related to the needs of franchise and distribution system companies to deliver complete solutions, integrating transactional creativity with regulatory experience, intellectual property protection, and litigation prosecution and management. They cover all issues related to franchise. You can contact them at Benjamin A. Levin: 856.761.3410; Robert R. Baron, Jr.: 215.864.8335; Edward J. DeMarco, Jr.: 215.864.8614; Dean T. Fournaris: 215.864.8112; Mark D. Shapiro: 856.761.3415; Dean C. Waldt: 856.761.3450; David B. Watkiss: 801.531.3066.
Bush Ross, P.A:
They are a full service law firm functioning since 1981 in the field of franchise law. They are a team of eight attorneys and are an AV rated law firm. They take up all cases related to franchise law. You can contact them at P.O. Box 3913; Tampa, Florida 33601-3913; (813) 224-9255; (813) 223-9620 (Fax).
Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP:
They represent a broad range of businesses and their franchise issues. They are a full-service law firm. You can contact them at 1230 Peachtree Street NE; Promenade II, Suite 3100; Atlanta, GA 30309; Phone: 404-815-3623; Fax: 404-815-6932; rgreenstein@sgrlaw.com
Other Articles
