Practice/Organization Description
Mulcahy LLP is a boutique litigation firm that provides legal services to franchisors, manufacturers and other companies in the areas of antitrust, trademark, copyright, trade secret, unfair competition, and franchise and distribution laws. Our years of hands-on experience as former General Counsels and seasoned litigators provide us with the expertise to achieve our clients' business goals.
Our primary objective is to provide our clients with the highest quality legal services with a small firm touch to efficiently and cost-effectively aid them in achieving their business goals. Mulcahy LLP is a recognized expert in the competition, franchise and distribution injustries. Our lawyers understand the relationship between litigation strategy and business needs to craft innovative solutions for our clients.
Based in Southern California, the firm serves clients nationally.
With more than 30 years of experience, Jim Mulcahy is one of the leading authorities in California on franchise and distribution law. Jim is widely recognized for his ability to assist corporations in structuring solid franchise and distribution business solutions and in identifying potential conflicts before they arise. His experience includes litigating, trying, and arbitrating hundreds of matters involving disputes between franchisors/suppliers and franchisees/dealers, franchise disclosure and relationship statutes, antitrust and trade regulation, unfair competition issues, dealer and distribution programs, vertical marketing issues, claims of trademark and copyright infringement, allegations of tortious business conduct, and a myriad of contractual and other business disputes.
Jim has taken over 60 cases to trial, and he brings the seasoned perspective of a former general counsel, having served in that capacity for American Suzuki Motor Corporation for over four years. He began his legal career at Chicago-based Wildman Harrold, Allen & Dixon, where he was a partner for nine years before joining American Suzuki. Jim has served as a faculty member at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and for the College of Trial Advocacy.
Professional highlights:
Jim is a Certified Specialist in Franchise and Distribution Law for the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization.
Jim is a member of the International Network of Boutique Law Firms, and is currently the President of INBLF’s Los Angeles chapter. The INBLF is an organization of the most highly credentialed and preeminent single-discipline law firms throughout the United States and some of the world’s most prominent full-service law firms in foreign nations.
Member (2005–2007), Franchise Law Consulting Group, and Franchise & Distribution Law Advisory Commission, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. He is one of seven attorneys charged with writing the exam and establishing the necessary qualifications for attorneys to become certified specialists in franchise and distribution law — a new certified specialty practice in California.
In 2005–2006, Jim served as Co-Chair of the Franchise Law Committee of the California State Bar.
Jim is a frequent author and speaker on franchise, distribution, and competition issues for, among others, the California State Bar, the International Franchise Association, and the American Bar Association Antitrust Section.
Jim’s previous publications and speaking engagements include:
Inadvertent Franchises: Risks and Remedies, presented to the San Diego County Bar Association Financial Professional Liaison Section in March, 2009
Chapter 5 (Handling Department of Corporations Enforcement Actions) and Chapter 11 (California State Antitrust Law Issues) of the CEB’s new publication entitled California Franchise Law and Practice (February, 2009)
Inadvertent Franchises: Risks and Remedies, presented to the Orange County Bar Association Business and Corporate Law Section in January, 2009
