1851 Interviews the Highest Profile Attorneys in Franchising for the 2018 Franchise Legal Player Awards

Name: Rochelle Spandorf
Firm: Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-spandorf-418a3a9/ 
About Your Firm: Davis Wright Tremaine is a full-service law firm with approximately 550 lawyers in nine offices on the east and west coasts of the United States and in Shanghai.  We offer franchising clients complete legal support in all substantive areas covering franchise regulatory, commercial and business law issues.  Our franchise team takes a holistic approach to client representation to ensure that franchise clients receive seamlessly coordinated services attentive to all of their legal needs in a particular transaction or dispute.

Website: www.dwt.com

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

Davis Wright Tremaine’s team of nationally-recognized thought leaders in franchise law has knowledge spanning all substantive areas of business important to franchisors today: from domestic and international franchise regulation to M&A, advertising and marketing practices, cybersecurity, tax, and dispute resolution.  We take time to understand each client’s business goals and reject cookie-cutter solutions to help our clients distinguish themselves from their competitors.  Our franchise team’s holistic approach to client service ensures all of our franchise clients’ legal needs are attended to seamlessly across practice areas.  Davis Wright Tremaine’s distinguished national restaurant practice enables us to offer franchise clients in the restaurant industry proficiency in every substantive area of practice relevant to a restaurant group’s objectives. In addition to franchise legal support, we advise clients on food safety and menu labeling, restaurant labor and employment rules, retail leasing, IP protection, alcoholic beverage control, and supply chain projects.

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

A deep understanding of franchise law combined with being a good listener enabling the franchise attorney to deliver practical and customized legal advice that advances the client’s business goals.

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

Satisfied clients who request additional legal services.

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

Revenue recognition rules for franchise fees; ability of Congress and state legislatures to enact legislation to eliminate concerns over joint employer legal risks for franchisors (risks unwelcome by franchisors and franchisees alike).

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

Business ownership and expansion opportunities for first generation business owners; continued job creation for our economy; and the increasingly diverse profile of franchisees including continued attraction of sophisticated companies and investors to franchising.