1851

1851: Tell us about your background and your firm.

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/murraylaw/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-legal-players-jason-m-murray-shareholder-franchise-distribution-group-leader-at-gunster-yoakley-stewart-pa-2709556" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Jason M. Murray</a>, Shareholder, Franchise &amp; Distribution Group Leader at <a href="https://gunster.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-legal-players-jason-m-murray-shareholder-franchise-distribution-group-leader-at-gunster-yoakley-stewart-pa-2709556" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Gunster, Yoakley &amp; Stewart, P.A.</a>: I practice in the area of franchise and distribution law and provide counsel and assistance with creating, managing, licensing, protecting and enforcing franchised business relationships, product distribution systems and dealership networks. Additionally, I practice in the areas of general commercial litigation in state and federal courts including intellectual property, real property, trade secrets and non-compete litigation as well as business litigation and trade regulation matters. &nbsp;

I work for Gunster, Florida&rsquo;s law firm for business, providing full-service legal counsel to leading organizations and individuals from its 13 offices statewide. The franchise and distribution law practice specifically relates to licensing and development, regulation and compliance, and dispute resolution through mediation, arbitration and litigation. 

1851: What are some <a href="https://1851franchise.com/4-tips-for-engaging-a-franchise-lawyer-2705137" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">must-ask questions when franchisors and franchisees</a> are vetting potential franchise attorneys? 

Murray: Prospective franchisor/franchisee clients should ask or determine how much of the attorney&rsquo;s law practice is devoted to franchise law. As Aristotle once remarked, &ldquo;One swallow does not a summer make...&rdquo; Similarly, one franchise case or matter does not make a lawyer a &ldquo;franchise attorney.&rdquo; A good franchise attorney should have experience representing franchisors and/or franchisees. If the franchise attorney has represented both franchisors and franchisees, then the franchise attorney is a tremendous asset. Prospective franchisor/franchisee clients should look for an attorney committed to understanding many different points of view within franchise and distribution systems. Commitment to understanding different viewpoints fosters creative solutions that have the potential to result in a win-win approach to problem-solving, deal-making and dispute resolution.

1851: In broad terms, do you have a particular case that stands out to you as an industry learning experience? 

Murray: There are a number of vicarious liability cases against franchisors as well as the ongoing &ldquo;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/a-new-joint-employer-rule-could-change-everything-for-franchisors-2708086" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">joint employer</a>&rdquo; litigation directed at franchisors and franchisees that provide valuable instruction and present an industry learning experience about franchisor over-reach and control-related liability of franchisors.

1851: What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?

Murray: The most rewarding and enjoyable aspect of my work is serving as a key business advisor and problem solver that assists clients in achieving their business goals.

1851: What are your top concerns for the franchise industry in the next year?

Murray: My top concerns for the franchise industry involve immigration, labor and employment. &nbsp;The current political climate is calling for a more restrictive immigration policy. These policies may adversely affect several sectors in the franchise industry such as lodging and hospitality, quick service restaurants, table/full-service restaurants and personal services to name a few. &nbsp;Many of these sectors have relied on new arrivals for their labor force and the labor force for their supply chains. Additionally, several of these sectors have served as pathways to business ownership for new arrivals using immigration visa programs such as E-2 and EB-5. In addition to immigration policy impacting the sale of franchises and the labor force for many sectors, the franchise industry also is still facing uncertainty concerning possible findings from the National Labor Relations Board that franchisors can be held liable for labor mistakes from franchisees if the NLRB embrace a &ldquo;joint employer&rdquo; view and interpretation of certain employment laws.

1851: What are you most optimistic about in the franchise industry in the next year?

Murray: I am optimistic about continued economic growth in the franchise industry. Several of my franchisee clients are acquiring additional business locations or franchise units in order to enjoy the benefits of being a multi-unit operator. In addition, I have seen an uptick in startup franchisors wanting to expand their concepts through area development and multi-unit sales. We also are seeing a number of franchise systems being purchased by new owners who have expressed a commitment to growing their franchise system. It appears that &ldquo;growth&ldquo; is the word for the franchise industry for 2019!

1851 Franchise, Franchise Legal Players, top franchise attorneys, franchise lawyers

Jason M. Murray | Franchise Attorney Insights  | 1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise

As part of its annual Franchise Legal Players issue, 1851 profiled the top franchise attorneys in the field to shine a spotlight on the work they do for the franchise industry.

Franchise Legal Players: Jason M. Murray, Shareholder, Franchise & Distribution Group Leader at Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A.

franchise-legal-players-jason-m-murray-shareholder-franchise-distribution-group-leader-at-gunster-yoakley-stewart-pa

Layne's Chicken Fingers

image of laynes chicken finger restaurant with 4 hands holding cups in the air to celebrate 

 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Crosses Mid-Year Mark With 11 New Restaurants Opened, Including the First Time the Brand has Seen Two Openings on the Same Day on July 14

laynes-chicken-franchise-growth-2025

HomeTeam Inspection Service

image of an employee from home team checking an outlet with an ipad

HomeTeam Inspection Service Franchise Owners Diversify Income With Multi-Service Model

hometeam-inspection-service-revenue-streams

Right at Home

image of jennifer selden right at home franchisee for a webinar with nick powills

Right at Home Franchise Owner Jennifer Selden To Share Franchise Journey, Sparked by Personal Care Experiences

jennifer-selden-right-at-home-franchise-journey-webinar

Paris Baguette Canada

image of a paris baguette bakery cafe latte with delicious food, croissants, and pastries

What Paris Baguette Franchisees Have To Say About Their Experiences

paris-baguette-franchise-canada-eric-chang

image of right at home franchisee gregory brewer for a webinar with nick powills

Gregory Brewer To Share 20-Year Franchise Journey With Right at Home in Upcoming Webinar

gregory-brewer-right-at-home-franchise-winston-salem-webinar

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

AI Is Reshaping Franchising: $100 Billion Valuations and Hyper-Localized Advertising

ai-is-reshaping-franchising-100-billion-valuations-and-hyper-localized-advertising

Mega Franchisee Sizzling Platter Acquired by Bain Capital

mega-franchisee-sizzling-platter-acquired-by-bain-capital

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

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

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

Mike Revak - Chief Business Officer - Sky Zone - Franchise Marketing Leaders - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Mike Revak — President and Chief Business Officer, Sky Zone

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-mike-revak-chief-business-officer-sky-zone

Coffee & Analytics graphic with photo of Nick Powills

Franchise Growth Is Messy. Lead Gen Is Uncomfortable. Let’s Fix It.

franchise-lead-generation-insights

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

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

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

Franchise Legal Players: Jason M. Murray, Shareholder, Franchise & Distribution Group Leader at Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A.

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS