Franchise & Distribution

Our franchise practice attorneys advise and assist large, small, regional, national, and international franchise clients in a wide array of industries providing a broad spectrum of products and services. Lewis Brisbois’ Franchise and Distribution practice team is comprised of franchise law professionals working in coordination with an interdisciplinary group of experienced commercial law, intellectual property, corporate, real estate and antitrust attorneys (among others) from across the nation who have extensive experience providing both litigation and transactional services to businesses involved in franchising. As franchise attorneys, we understand the intricacies of franchise documentation, regulatory compliance, intra-franchise disputes, operating within a franchise system and the many complex relationships and interests that exist in a franchise structure. We regularly provide support and guidance in evaluating, enforcing, documenting, registering, defending, expanding and protecting our franchise clients’ systems and other interests.

With attorneys in offices located from Los Angeles to New York, and Seattle to Fort Lauderdale, our firm’s deep national footprint and longstanding experience also give us unique understanding and abilities within all jurisdictions where our domestic franchise clients do business, including knowledge of federal and local laws, regulations, and ordinances that directly affect their business practices from location to location. With built-in local counsel within our offices nationwide, we are able to service our franchise clients in any venue with a view toward strengthening their brand while minimizing possible exposure, cost and damages. With the understanding that a franchisor is only as strong as its franchisees, our lawyers work closely with franchisors to maintain their business relationships with franchisees to prevent unnecessary litigation.

Our nationwide reach is matched by the breadth of our legal practice, which includes more than 40 legal specialties and a multitude of sub-specialties. This is particularly valuable to our franchise clients who require a full-service solution to their legal needs.

Of particular benefit is our experience in the areas of:

Franchises and Distributorships
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Transactions (FDDs)
Intellectual Property
Employment Liability
Class Actions
Data Privacy & Network Security
Consumer Litigation Defense

With a clientele as diverse as our legal practice, we have the ability to service franchises in an array of industries such as food and beverage, healthcare, staffing, education, retail, fitness, hospitality, real estate, automotive services, and other service providers.