Franchise Legal Player Awards | Q&A with David Paris

Name: David Paris

Firm: Paris Ackerman

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-paris-1abb1b15/

About Paris Ackerman: Paris Ackerman is a boutique law firm with a primary focus on sophisticated franchise transactions. Our attorneys represent multi-unit operators in the world's largest and most recognizable systems in franchise mergers and acquisitions, franchise finance and commercial real estate and leasing transactions.

Website: www.parisackerman.com

1851: How did you fall into franchising?

Paris: I started out representing a number of Dunkin' franchisees who were terminated and litigating with corporate in an attempt to retain their restaurants. Over the years, my practice evolved from litigating to exclusively handling multi-unit franchise transactions. We now close hundreds of millions of dollars in franchise deals each year!

1851: What do you love most about franchising?

Paris: I love that the deals I work on and brands that I work with can be seen on every street corner in every town and city throughout the country. I feel like the work that I do is part of the fabric of people's lives.

1851: What makes a great client?

Paris: For our firm, a great client is someone with a vision toward growth and expansion and an ability to execute. The vast majority of our clients are expanding into multiple brands, building, buying, leasing and borrowing every day.

1851: What makes a great franchise attorney?

Paris: 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.