2025’s Top Franchise Legal Players: Norman Leon - DLA Piper

Legal Player: Norman Leon
Firm: DLA Piper

Norman Leon is a franchise attorney and partner at DLA Piper whose path into the field began in a New York courtroom. As a junior associate, he was tapped to work on a trial for a large hamburger franchisor; they won, and the case set his career in motion. Today he practices inside a deep bench at DLA Piper, collaborating with a group of about 10 attorneys who each bring more than 30 years of franchise-law experience, a structure he views as a real advantage for complex matters.

Leon’s counsel is rooted in consistency and credibility. He urges franchisors to enforce their agreements the same way every time — and to drop provisions they won’t enforce — while reminding prospects that Item 19 is only one data point and that conversations with existing owners are often more telling. He flags a common legal pitfall — ignoring small problems until they become big ones — and he works by a simple code: credibility, once lost, is rarely regained. Be an advocate, know where the line is, and own mistakes if you cross it.

1851 Franchise reached out to Leon to learn how franchisors can protect their brand and avoid legal mistakes. Check out his insights below.

1851 Franchise: How did you fall into franchising?

Norman Leon: When I was a very junior associate, practicing at a firm in New York, the head of the firm’s litigation department asked me to work on a case for a very large hamburger franchisor that was heading to trial. We prevailed at trial, and so began my career in franchising.

1851: What do you see as the most important things franchisors should do to protect their brand?

Leon: Just as franchising is based on consistency, franchisors need to be consistent about enforcing the terms of their franchise agreements. If a provision is not worth enforcing consistently, it should probably be removed from your franchise agreement.

1851: How important is the information in Item 19?

Leon: Historical performance of other outlets is obviously a data point, but in my view, its importance has been greatly exaggerated. Just as Item 19 states, the performance of other outlets is not an assurance that any other outlet will generate similar results. I believe the best thing prospective franchisees can do to become well-informed is reach out to existing franchisees to see what they think of the brand and the franchisor.

1851: What is the single largest legal mistake brands make?

Leon: I think the single largest legal mistake brands make is sometimes failing to take care of the small problems. In my experience, those are the problems that most often turn into big problems.

1851: How does DLA Piper stand out as a franchise law firm?

Leon: While there are some great practitioners out there, I don’t think any other firm comes close to the depth and breadth of our knowledge and experience. We have about 10 attorneys in our group that each have more than 30 years’ experience doing nothing but franchise law. Being able to collaborate with colleagues like that is an invaluable asset.

1851: What is the best business advice you have received in your career?

Leon: Once it’s lost, credibility is rarely regained. Whether you’re dealing with courts or clients, be an advocate, but know where the line is. And if you inadvertently cross it, own your mistake.

1851 Franchise’s Supplier Database connects franchisors and franchisees with top legal experts. If you need guidance on agreements, compliance or disputes, click here for more information.