2026 Top Franchise Lawyers You Should Know: Fredric A. Cohen — Cheng Cohen LLC

Franchise Legal Player: Fredric A. Cohen
Firm: Cheng Cohen LLC

Fredric A. Cohen is known for guiding franchise brands through the legal and operational challenges that come with growth. Over the years, he has advised franchisors from different industries, helping leadership teams navigate compliance requirements while managinglong-term risk.

1851 Franchise connected with Cohen to discuss what franchisors often overlook, where legal risk hides during expansion and the lessons that continue to shape their advisory philosophy.

1851 Franchise: What originally drew you to franchise law, and what has kept you engaged in the space over time?

Fredric A. Cohen: I stumbled into franchising, as I’ve stumbled into many great things in my life. I went to law school to become a “technician of the constitution,” an admission I made on the first day of law school, thereby earning myself the dubious nickname “the technician” for the next three years. I became a franchise lawyer when I took a job working for Lewis Rudnick and Dennis Wieczorek at Rudnick & Wolfe, legends and titans of the franchise law world, and wonderful human beings to boot. I was truly blessed to have been mentored by them and to have spent nearly 40 years working with some of the most creative and inspiring individuals in franchising.

1851: As franchising continues to evolve, what legal issue do you see brands most often underestimating today?

Cohen: The potential antitrust and other implications of brand consolidation. This requires thoughtfulness, analysis and planning that some may be overlooking.

1851: In your experience, where do emerging franchisors tend to get tripped up from a compliance or documentation standpoint?

Cohen: Easy. Overeagerness to close the deal. Those legacy deals will result in liability where the franchisee fails or, perhaps worse, headaches that won’t go away and can stifle real growth down the road.

1851: What distinguishes your approach or philosophy when working with franchise clients?

Cohen: I let the objective drive the approach. Some lawyers are happy to display their expertise in the law at the expense of what the client needs. Others are happy to tell the client what he or she wants to hear. Neither approach is appropriate. Our job is not to tell clients what they can or can’t do; our job is to help clients navigate the minefield to arrive in one piece at the destination.

1851: Looking back, what lesson from your legal career has had the greatest impact on how you advise clients today?

Cohen: Honest, thoughtful counsel is what clients want and need, and what will build lasting relationships.

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