Practice/Organization Description
Franchise Attorney MBA franchise expert, known in the industry as Mr. Franchise, I have specialized exclusively in franchising for over three decades as a San Francisco franchise attorney, author, instructor and international franchise expert.
During this time, I have drafted, evaluated and negotiated over 500 FDD franchise disclosure documents and completed projects for firms that franchise a business for the first time. I have also worked with a large number of established franchise companies, training management and marketing personnel, as well as reviewing and editing their legal, operations, marketing and training documents.
In 2002-2003, I started, operated and subsequently sold a very successful franchise in the home improvement industry, so I know what it's like to be a franchise owner. Unlike other franchise attorneys who just talk the talk, I've actually walked the walk. I use this experience to create win-win franchise relationships for clients that retain my services.
I have also qualified, testified and rendered opinions as a franchise expert on many occasions, including franchise litigation & arbitration matters, on numerous franchise disputes, license and intellectual property issues. I draw on this experience to help clients develop effective pro-active legal strategies to stay out of the courtroom.
In 2007, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, retained me as the premier U.S. franchise expert to advise Asian government officials about the impact of franchising on small to medium sized enterprises (SME’s) operating in Asian countries as well as developing uniform franchise regulations, based on the U.S. regulatory model.
In 2008, the Jordan Intellectual Property Association selected me as the premier U.S. franchise expert to speak at their franchise symposium in Amman, Jordan. Turned on the television in the hotel room and saw my first-ever camel race.
In 2010, the World Intellectual Property Organization retained me again as the premier U.S. franchise expert to help them draft a manuscript about franchising that was published in 2011.
Honors and Awards
Selected as the premier U.S. franchise expert by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, to speak at Singapore’s World Conference about franchising in Asian countries and developing uniform franchise regulations based on the U.S. regulatory model, September, 2007, hosted jointly by WIPO and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).
