1851

1851: Tell us about your background and your firm.

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-o-keefe-565a1510/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-legal-players-thomas-okeefe-attorney-at-law-and-president-and-general-counsel-for-regymen-fitness-2709553" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Thomas E. O&#39;Keefe</a>, Attorney-at-Law and President and General Counsel for <a href="https://www.regymenfitness.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-legal-players-thomas-okeefe-attorney-at-law-and-president-and-general-counsel-for-regymen-fitness-2709553" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Regymen Fitness</a>: I operate a private practice specializing in civil defense litigation. I became the in-house counsel to various franchise companies including Popeyes/Church&#39;s, SpeeDee Oil, Ruth&#39;s Chris Steak House and Anytime Fitness. I also served as President of Smoothie King. 

1851: What are some must-ask questions when franchisors and franchisees are vetting potential franchise attorneys? 

O&rsquo;Keefe: Some great questions to ask include, &lsquo;Do you practice in the area and not just as a transactional or contract attorney? Are you familiar with the FTC Rule? Have you drafted FDDs?&rsquo;

1851: In broad terms, do you have a particular case that stands out to you as an industry learning experience? 

O&rsquo;Keefe: Not a case but the issue of making franchisors legally responsible for their franchisees&rsquo; employees.

1851: What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?

O&rsquo;Keefe: Helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

1851: What are your top concerns for the franchise industry in the next year?

O&rsquo;Keefe: Franchisors being legally responsible for their franchisees&rsquo; employees.

1851: What are you most optimistic about in the franchise industry in the next year?

O&rsquo;Keefe: The economy should create a lot of small franchised businesses.

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

Thomas O'Keefe | Franchise Legal Players | 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: Thomas O’Keefe, Attorney-at-Law and President and General Counsel for Regymen Fitness

franchise-legal-players-thomas-okeefe-attorney-at-law-and-president-and-general-counsel-for-regymen-fitness

Paris Baguette Canada

Photo of exterior of a Paris Baguette location

How Much Can I Make as a Paris Baguette Franchisee?

paris-baguette-franchise-disclosure-document-analysis

Busy Bee Jumpers

Busy Bee Jumpers: Where Proven Success Meets People-First Franchising

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-culture-success

busy-bee-jumpers-consumer-positioning-image-kids-jumping-bounce-house

Delivering Fun With a Smile: How Busy Bee Jumpers Earns 5-Star Raves From Families Across New England

busy-bee-jumpers-party-rentals

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-positioning-image

Bouncing Into Business: How Busy Bee Jumpers Is Building the First National Bounce House Franchise

franchise-opportunity-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Photo of exterior of Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurant

Layne’s Franchisees Capitalize on First-To-Market Advantage in Chicken Finger Frenzy

laynes-franchise-first-mover-advantage

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 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

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers - 1851 Franchise

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers

ai-unemployment-impact-white-collar-job-loss

How To Sell Just One Franchise: What You’ll Learn at FranCamp NJ 2025

how-to-sell-just-one-franchise-what-youll-learn-at-francamp-nj-2025

House Passes Tax Relief Package With Key Benefits for Small Businesses and Franchises

house-passes-small-business-tax-relief-bill-2025

McDonald’s To Hire 375,000 Workers as It Prepares for Major U.S. Expansion

mcdonalds-to-hire-375000-workers-as-it-prepares-for-major-us-expansion

franchise supplier award design with Locate AI logo and 1851 Franchise badge

Franchise Real Estate Services | Locate AI — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

locate-ai-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition — Point of Differentiation

how-to-position-your-value-proposition-with-a-point-of-differentiation

Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Build a Successful PR Campaign

ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises-how-to-build-a-successful-pr-campaign

Guide To Selling Franchises: How To Set the Right Expectations

guide-to-selling-franchises-how-to-set-the-right-expectations

The Top 20 Handyman Franchises To Invest in for 2025

top-handyman-franchises-to-invest-in

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

The Top 20 Cleaning Franchises to Invest in for 2025

top-cleaning-franchises-to-invest-in

Affordable Franchise Opportunities: Exploring Low-Cost Home Service Franchises Under $50K

affordable-franchise-opportunities-exploring-low-cost-home-service-franchises-under-50k

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Brianna and Matt Fitchett, Seniors Helping Seniors logo

Nonprofit Leaders to Bring Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise to East Bay, California

nonprofit-leaders-to-bring-seniors-helping-seniors-franchise-to-east-bay-california

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Abid Khan and Paris Baguette logo

Longtime Tim Horton’s Franchisee Signs 4-Unit Agreement with Paris Baguette in Toronto

longtime-tim-hortons-franchisee-signs-4-unit-agreement-with-paris-baguette-in-toronto

Franchise Legal Players: Thomas O’Keefe, Attorney-at-Law and President and General Counsel for Regymen Fitness

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS