Top 15 Legal Firms for Franchises
These 15 legal firms specialize in providing both franchisees and franchisors with the specialized legal expertise they need to succeed.
Franchising is a popular business model that allows entrepreneurs to expand their brand's reach while providing new business owners with a proven system for success. However, navigating the complexities of franchise law requires specialized legal knowledge and expertise.
Here's a look at 15 top legal firms renowned for their franchise law services, each offering unique strengths to support franchisors and franchisees.
Internicola Law* Firm
For over 25 years, the Internicola Law Firm has been helping emerging brands get the legal support they need to “win at franchising.” Established by Charles Internicola and nationally recognized by Super Lawyers, Internicola provides clients with boutique-level service and places emphasis on fostering long-term relationships and building a great community. Many team members are franchisors and business owners as well, which is why Internicola prides itself on being a law firm “with the heart of an entrepreneur.”
Carter & Tani
Founded in 1991 by Doris Carter and Christine Tani, this franchise legal practice recently joined with Huck Bouma and now serves as that firm's Franchise Law Practice Group. Carter & Tani works alongside its clients, helping franchisors develop and launch franchise programs, counseling them to ensure they follow federal and state franchise disclosure and registration laws. The team also conducts franchise law compliance training for its clients and assists with the drafting of franchise agreements and franchise disclosure documents (FDDs).
DLA Piper
DLA Piper is a global law firm with attorneys in over 40 countries in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The firm’s Franchise and Distribution practice has been in operation “since modern franchising began,” providing support to franchisors in a wide variety of business sectors — from startups and entrepreneurs to some of the largest manufacturers and distributors in the industry. DLA Piper is also general counsel to the International Franchise Association (IFA).
Drumm Law
Drumm Law is a virtual law firm that relies on technology, specialization, quality people and low overhead to provide quality, affordable legal services to its clients. As a full-service franchise law firm, Drumm Law works with brands of all sizes across all industries. While the firm does have conference rooms available when needed, the attorneys prefer to maintain a more personal connection with their clients over lunch or drinks. "We pride ourselves on giving sound, business-based legal advice," the firm says on its website. "Our lawyers treat your money like their own and work on providing efficient and practical legal services."
Faegre Drinker
Faegre Drinker was established in February 2020 with the union of two law firms — Faegre-Baker-Daniels and Drinker Biddle & Reath. With 1,200 experienced attorneys and consulting professionals all across the U.S., and strategic offices in London and Shanghai, the firm stands ready to partner with market-leading businesses to help them launch, grow, protect and evolve their franchise systems. Bolstered by a collective history that includes nearly 200 years of combined experience, Faegre Drinker prides itself on collaborating with its clients to "deliver excellence -- without arrogance."
Fisher Zucker
Fisher Zucker is a nationally recognized law firm specializing almost exclusively in franchising and business licensing. With offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Fisher Zucker’s attorneys handle cases nationwide, providing pre-litigation counseling, mediation, litigation and arbitration. The firm maintains an active merger and acquisition (M&A) practice and provides due diligence services for private equity firms. Fisher Zucker also advises clients on franchise development, regulatory compliance, corporate formation/governance and trademark licensing/protection. The team is adept at managing multi-unit and international franchising, as well as addressing complex disclosure issues.
Franchise.Law
Franchise.Law, led by Jonathan Barber and Jason Power, offers legal services for franchisors. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the firm represents over 100 franchisors in transactions and disputes. Its client base includes small startups and large, multinational franchisors. Franchise.Law is renowned for launching new franchise systems, meticulously preparing FDDs tailored to each client's needs and securing registration in every state. The firm has supported some of the fastest-growing franchise systems in the U.S., approaching franchise law from a sales perspective to maximize its clients' success.
Greenberg Traurig
Greenberg Traurig is an international law firm with a team of 2,100 attorneys and governmental affairs professionals spread across 41 locations in the U.S., Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm provides comprehensive, business-centric legal services to a wide range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to pioneering startups. Its Franchise & Distribution Practice team assists both established and emerging franchisors, licensors and distributors globally. With extensive experience in transactional, regulatory, M&A and litigation matters, the experts at Greenberg Traurig possess a deep understanding of the unique legal and business issues faced by those in the franchising industry.
Lathrop GPM
Lathrop GPM is a distinguished Am Law 200 firm with offices in California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Texas and Washington, D.C. The firm’s attorneys assist businesses, organizations and individuals in achieving growth and success, staying ahead of industry trends, planning for potential challenges and realizing their goals. Lathrop GPM features one of the leading franchise and distribution law practices worldwide, providing comprehensive legal services to franchisors and master franchisees at all stages of their development, both domestically and internationally.
Luther Lanard
The attorneys at Luther Lanard bring decades of business and franchise legal expertise to assist clients with various needs, including franchise document review, franchise resales, entity formation, commercial lease review/negotiation and resolving franchise or lease disputes. The firm’s goal is to help clients achieve their business objectives. Understanding the complex language of legal documents (especially franchise agreements) can be challenging, but the team at Luther Lanard possesses the tenacity and experience to interpret legal jargon and explain it clearly, ensuring its clients are in the best legal position. Committed to being legal advocates, Luther Lanard addresses clients' legal needs efficiently and responsively. The firm offers flat fee billing for most franchise matters and lease reviews and negotiations, providing an economical alternative to hourly rates. Together, Luther Lanard works with clients to make their business dreams a reality.
Mullin P.C.
Mullin P.C. is a comprehensive commercial law firm renowned for its expertise in franchise and distribution law. With a strong focus on assisting businesses in growth through franchising, licensing, and private equity transactions, the firm offers adept and cost-effective representation for resolving commercial disputes.
Plave Koch
Plave Koch, characterized by its entrepreneurial spirit, comprises a team of experienced partners with practices focused on franchise and distribution law, trademarks, litigation, FTC matters and technology. The firm specializes in representing franchisors and distributors, handling transactions, litigation and disputes both domestically and internationally. Although many of its attorneys began at large law firms, Plave Koch prides itself on having successfully transitioned away from “big firm constraints” and now places an emphasis on close collaboration with clients at reasonable and predictable rates.
Quarles
In late 2022, the Arizona law firm Quarles & Brady LLP rebranded as “Quarles,” with a new logo, a new website and a number of technical updates designed to help franchises connect with attorneys. Named “Franchise Law Firm of the Year” in 2019 and 2020 by U.S. News & World Report, Quarles’ Franchise & Distribution team offers comprehensive counseling and representation in transactions and regulatory matters for franchises worldwide. The firm assists clients in establishing, expanding and overseeing franchise systems and their relationships with franchisees. In addition, the Quarles team includes skilled litigators with a track record of handling core franchise law issues and franchise-related disputes.
Spadea Lignana Franchise Attorneys
Spadea Lignana provides franchisors with unlimited support for a flat monthly fee, offering expert guidance on FDDs, state registrations and franchise/multi-unit agreements. The firm’s proprietary software systems enable clients to effortlessly identify sales opportunities, manage prospect disclosures, track state registrations and adopt franchisor best practices. Spadea Lignana offers its clients a competitive edge in franchising, empowering them to establish lasting legacies and build generational wealth.
The Charter Law Group
The Charter Law Group, formerly known as Roda Chalfant Franchise Law, is a boutique franchise law firm led by attorneys with firsthand experience in the field. Leveraging their background as brand developers and owners of multiple franchise systems, including overseeing numerous private equity exits, The Charter Law Group offers clients invaluable insights and support. The firm's attorneys approach franchise legal matters with the perspective of a development firm, prioritizing client system growth in a unique manner shaped by their own experiences and successes.
These 15 legal firms stand out for their expertise and dedication to helping franchisors and franchisees navigate the complex world of franchise law. Whether you are looking to start a new franchise or expand an existing one, these firms offer the specialized knowledge and personalized service needed to achieve your business goals.
If you are a prospective entrepreneur looking into franchising, a franchisor hoping to expand or a franchise consultant growing your business, check out The 1851 Growth Club — a sales/growth consultancy hyper-focused on doing franchising the right way.
*This brand is a paid partner of 1851 Franchise. For more information on paid partnerships please click here.