Franchise Legal Players: Evan M. Goldman of Hill Wallack LLP

Name: Evan M. Goldman, Esquire

Firm: Hill Wallack LLP

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-goldman-66261515/

About Your Firm: Founded in 1978, Hill Wallack LLP is a leading law firm with offices in Princeton and Cedar Knolls, New Jersey and Yardley, Pennsylvania. Our regional strength places us in an ideal position in today’s market. With over 70 lawyers, our mid-market size allows us to provide sophisticated, high-level service to clients in a cost-efficient, responsive manner. Our attorneys are called upon to tackle some of the toughest legal and business challenges. The firm represents businesses, nonprofit and government entities, and individuals in litigation, transactional and regulatory issues. Beyond the Franchise Law practice group, the firm also includes those skilled in family law, trusts & estates, tax liability and other areas of individual service

Website: http://www.hillwallack.com/evan-m-goldman

What makes your firm stand out as a resource for the franchise industry? 

Unlike most law firms that focus include a franchise law practice, Hill Wallack is neither a mega firm, consisting over thousands of attorneys in dozens of offices, nor is it a too-small boutique firm that cannot handle all of a client’s needs. Because the firm is mid-sized, we can meet all of our clients’ needs, in all facets of their business and personal lives, but at a fraction of the expense of larger firms. 

What is the No. 1 thing a franchisor/franchisee should look for when identifying the right franchise attorney? 

Franchise attorneys, whether litigation or transactional, and whether franchisor or franchisee, should be focused on a long-term relationship, and not the “quick buck.” 

When it comes to your work, what makes you happiest? 

I love working with start-up entrepreneurs who are getting started in their business—both franchisors and franchisees. 

What are your top concerns for the franchise industry in the next year? 

All business sectors in the US, including franchising, continue to be impacted by economic concerns. One particular concern is the downturn in retail business, as online shopping continues to impact sales in brick and mortar store locations.  Revenue fluctuations for retail businesses of all types continue to cause anxiety as overhead expenses (e.g. rent, supplies, costs of goods at wholesale, and employee salaries) remain constant or increase). These factors impact franchisors and franchisees, and all parties must remain mindful of costs as they remain focus on growth and expansion. These issues should be considered by all businesses that are already involved in or are considering entering the franchise space. At Hill Wallack, we regularly counsel our clients with respect to these concerns as part of their overarching due diligence analysis.

What are you most optimistic about in the franchise industry in the next year? 

In the past few years, I have represented a number of burgeoning franchisors from industries ranging from restaurants to professional services franchises.  The influx of new concepts and businesses into the franchise arena signals that both the industry at large remains thriving and exciting for entrepreneurs and new concepts are entering the franchise the space to foster free market competition. I have also seen, first-hand, franchisors and franchisees working more collaboratively, either on a one-on-one basis or through franchise associations to solve problems and resolve issues, rather than immediately resorting to litigation.  For any business of this nature to thrive collaboration and free and open communication is paramount to the success of all.  These are absolutely positive indicators for the industry’s future.