1851

Whether franchising your business, protecting your current franchise, buying a franchise, or expanding your portfolio as a franchisee, franchise attorneys will be essential to your success. In fact, with the depth of regulations, you cannot survive without them.

But finding a franchise attorney is not as easy as thumbing through the Yellow Pages. Here&rsquo;s what ten of 1851&rsquo;s Franchise Legal Players said is important when picking a franchise attorney:

Alexander Tuneski, <a href="https://www.dlapiper.com/en/us?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-things-to-look-for-in-a-franchise-attorney-according-to-the-attorney-2703480" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DLA Piper:</a> The best franchise attorneys are ones that take the time to develop a full understanding of their client&rsquo;s business, so they can not only help address existing concerns, but can proactively avoid problems before they arise. While knowledge of the law is certainly critical, business acumen is an even more important trait.

Andrew Bleiman, <a href="http://marksklein.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-things-to-look-for-in-a-franchise-attorney-according-to-the-attorney-2703480" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Marks &amp; Klein</a>: A great franchise attorney brings a practical approach to his or her practice, is able to find balance between the sometimes conflicting legal and business issues which pop up on a day-to-day basis and who can figure out how to move forward in the face of those issues.

Michael Daigle, <a href="http://www.chengcohen.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-things-to-look-for-in-a-franchise-attorney-according-to-the-attorney-2703480" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cheng Cohen</a>: Lots of things. The ability to forge a great, trusting relationship with the client that can last the entire lifecycle of the franchise system. An unwavering commitment to client service with the ability to deliver substantive knowledge quickly and efficiently. Each piece of paper sitting on my desk is a piece of the client&rsquo;s business that isn&rsquo;t getting done. The ability to think proactively to help the client understand and anticipate issues in order to make informed business decisions. The ability to stay abreast of what can be a rapidly changing regulatory and legal landscape. And something that isn&rsquo;t legal-related - a true passion for being a part of the clients&rsquo; success.

Richard Morey, <a href="https://www.dlapiper.com/en/us?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-things-to-look-for-in-a-franchise-attorney-according-to-the-attorney-2703480" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DLA Piper:</a> A great franchise attorney is one that strikes the right balance between advocate and counselor. As an advocate, I need to do my best to get my franchise client her desired outcome. But just because a franchisor can do something (require a remodel, for example) doesn&#39;t mean she should. So as a counselor my job is also to provide suggestions and guidance on approaches that might be more successful (like maybe further testing the remodel, getting franchisee input, etc.). This can be a difficult balance sometimes, because ultimately the client makes the call, but it&#39;s important to make sure the client is considering all the options and impacts. A lawyer who always blindly does exactly what the client asks without describing possible ramifications and alternative approaches, like the lawyer who always says &quot;no&quot; to a client&#39;s taking on even a little legal risk in the pursuit of her business goals, seems to be falling short of the ideal.

Carl Zwisler, <a href="http://www.gpmlaw.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-things-to-look-for-in-a-franchise-attorney-according-to-the-attorney-2703480" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gray Plant Mooty</a>: Zwisler: A great franchise attorney understands the legal and business implications of language used in agreements, FDDs, advertising and manuals. A great franchise attorney takes the time to understand how and why franchisors and franchisees make the decisions that they make. A great franchise lawyer educates himself about developments in franchise law on an ongoing basis. A great franchise lawyer helps her clients to anticipate the ultimate consequences of any proposed action and communicates clearly with her clients about them. A great franchise attorney invests the time to keep his clients apprised of developments in franchising law and is involved in shaping the regulations that affect franchising. Finally, a great franchise attorney surrounds himself with other franchise lawyers who share their knowledge, insights and experiences with each other for the benefit of their clients.

David Paris, <a href="https://paslawfirm.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-things-to-look-for-in-a-franchise-attorney-according-to-the-attorney-2703480" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paris Ackerman</a>: The thing I hear most from our clients is that we think like business people; we are business-minded attorneys who focus on progress and breaking down roadblocks rather than creating them.

Lee Plave, <a href="http://plavekoch.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-things-to-look-for-in-a-franchise-attorney-according-to-the-attorney-2703480" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Plave Koch</a>: That&rsquo;s the $64,000 question. Listening to what your clients are trying to accomplish and helping them reach that goal is critical. And while this will sound trite, putting your clients&rsquo; interests first will help them in the short-term and forge a long-term relationship that&rsquo;s based on something much more than legal fees generated this quarter.

Mark Kirsch, <a href="http://www.gpmlaw.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-things-to-look-for-in-a-franchise-attorney-according-to-the-attorney-2703480" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gray Plant Mooty</a>: A great franchise attorney &ndash; or, for that matter, a great attorney in any field &ndash; should have the following characteristics and skills: a good listener; creativity; the ability to understand both the legal and business risks involved in an issue, and communicate those risks clearly and concisely and to help shape a solution that advances the client&rsquo;s goals; to be willing to invest time and energy into learning about ancillary aspects of the client&rsquo;s business and industry, recognizing that other information will provide context and insights necessary to develop coherent and strategic solutions for the client; to act and provide counsel as a strategic advisor; and to be a true partner in growth of the business.

Harris Chernow, <a href="https://www.regerlaw.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-things-to-look-for-in-a-franchise-attorney-according-to-the-attorney-2703480" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reger Rizzo &amp; Darnall</a>: It&rsquo;s not just the knowledge of the franchise attorney, but it&rsquo;s also how he/she conducts his/herself with the clients, advisories and others. A great franchise lawyer listens and tries best to determine the real goals and objectives of the client and overcome the client&#39;s emotional and/or unrealistic goals and objectives. However, there is a fine line in trying to determine what are unrealistic goals and objectives (more so in transactional matters). Is a lawyer the one to tell the client that his/her/its goals aren&rsquo;t realistic for a business project? A great lawyer will express the opinion, but at the same time will not be the one to make that decision. How many of us have clients that we thought were going to fail and are now some of our most successful clients? Most clients will appreciate your efforts and opinions as long as they are well grounded with good intentions and you provide clear and concise explanation/rationale for the recommended actions to be taken. We are advisors and need to earn the trust of the client beyond simply the monetary engagement.

Mike Drumm, <a href="http://www.drummlaw.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-things-to-look-for-in-a-franchise-attorney-according-to-the-attorney-2703480" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Drumm Law</a>: The ability to understand their client&rsquo;s business and give practical legal advice.

10 Things to Look for in a Franchise Attorney, According to the Attorney

1851 Franchise

Ready to pick an attorney? Follow these tips

10-things-to-look-for-in-a-franchise-attorney-according-to-the-attorney

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Unlocking the Potential: How Much Can You Earn as an Onigilly Franchisee?

unlocking-the-potential-how-much-can-you-earn-as-an-onigilly-franchisee

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno 

Grease, Grit, and Growth: DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno, Nevada

grease-grit-and-growth-dewitts-ignite-new-chapter-for-filta-environmental-kitchen-solutions-in-reno-nevada

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-50 Unit-Wendy's-Franchisee-June-2025

Why This 50 Unit Wendy’s Franchisee Is Betting on Layne’s for His Next Big Move

wendys-franchisee-expands-with-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

CapitalSpring

CapitalSpring’s Jim Balis Talks Growth, ROI and the Future of Fast Casual on “Rock My Restaurant”

capitalsprings-jim-balis-talks-growth-roi-and-the-future-of-fast-casual-on-rock-my-restaurant

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

childrens-lighthouse-ramps-up-growth-in-first-half-of-2025-with-strategic-expansions-franchise-signings-and-new-headquarters

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Love for Dogs Into a Business with Dog Training Elite

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Lifelong Love for Dogs Into a Growing Business with Dog Training Elite

how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photos of Danielle Rosemond & Usman Khan & TruBlue logo

Family Members of Local Physicians Bring TruBlue Franchise to North Central Nassau, Long Island: A Health Care-Inspired Approach to Aging in Place

family-brings-trublue-franchise-to-north-central-nassau

10 Things to Look for in a Franchise Attorney, According to the Attorney

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS