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<p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Franchising doesn’t stand still. Rules shift, state requirements change, disputes evolve and cross-border deals add their own complications. A good attorney helps brands and owners stay oriented and make smart moves. This roundup recognizes the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://1851franchise.com/what-is-a-franchise-lawyer-and-why-would-i-need-one-2725334"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#467886;"><u>franchise lawyers</u></span></a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;"> whose work, leadership and steady judgment make a measurable difference for clients navigating growth, compliance and disputes.</span></p><h3><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Why This List Matters</span></h3><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Franchise law is its own lane. It touches everything from Item 19 strategy and state registrations to terminations, transfers and multi-unit development. A strong legal partner sees around corners, spots risk early and keeps the focus on unit-level performance. These attorneys don’t just recite rules. They translate them into practical steps a busy franchisor or prospective owner can follow.</span></p><h3><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">What Sets a Top Legal Player Apart</span></h3><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Standout counsel in franchising share a few traits. They bring deep experience with agreements and system standards. They help clients enforce consistently, not selectively. They balance growth ambitions with brand protection. They communicate in plain English, move quickly when a crisis hits, and know when to push and when to settle. Many also mentor rising attorneys and contribute to industry education through committees, articles and presentations.</span></p><h3><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Trends Shaping 2025</span></h3><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">The legal landscape remains active. Regulators are sharpening their focus on how brands discuss performance and money. Expectations around data, privacy and cybersecurity keep climbing, even as supply chain snags and new formats test the limits of older agreements. And for systems that depend on consistent standards, labor and employment issues remain the constant. International expansion adds another layer with local law, language and cultural considerations. The attorneys recognized here help clients adapt without losing speed.</span></p><h3><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">How We Approached This Roundup</span></h3><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">This feature highlights lawyers whose work reflects strong client outcomes, credibility in the franchise bar and a practical approach to counseling. It is not a ranking. Instead, it is a curated look at professionals who set a high bar for service, ethics and results. We also aimed for representation across transactions, compliance and litigation so readers can find the right fit for their needs.&nbsp;</span></p><h3><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">How Brands and Buyers Can Use It</span></h3><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">If you lead a franchise system, use this list to find counsel who can review or refresh your FDD, tighten enforcement practices and support development. If you are exploring ownership, look for attorneys who offer flat-fee FDD reviews, clear timelines and candid guidance. In both cases, ask about recent work with concepts like yours, the team that will handle the day-to-day, and how they measure success beyond billable hours.</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">The attorneys featured in the 2025 edition have earned trust by delivering clear guidance and steady outcomes when it counts. As franchising enters another busy year, their work helps brands protect what they’ve built and gives entrepreneurs a fair read on the road ahead.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Without further ado, here is the full list of 2025's top franchise legal players. Stay tuned as we share individual profiles on each attorney throughout the coming month.</span></p><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Charles Internicola — Internicola Law Firm</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Norman Leon — DLA Piper</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Chad Finkelstein — Dale &amp; Lessman</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Leslie Curran — Plave Koch</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Christian Thompson — Franchise &amp; Business Law Group</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Jennifer Dolman — Osler, Hoskin &amp; Harcourt</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Allan Dick — Sotos</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Robert Zarco — Zarco Einhorn Salkowski</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Michael S. Rosenthal — Clark Hill Law</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Mark Kirsch — Lathrop GPM</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Craig Tractenberg — Fox Rothschild</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Ryan Whitfill — CM Law</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Jason Power — Franchise.Law</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Harris J. Chernow — Reger Rizzo &amp; Darnall</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Leonard Vines — UB Greensfelder</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Rochelle Spandorf — Steinbrecher &amp; Span</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Kitt Shipe — Shipe Dosik Law</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Marisa Faunce — Plave Koch</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Joel Buckberg — Baker Donelson</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Richard Bayer — Einbinder &amp; Dunn</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Andrew P. Bleiman — Marks &amp; Klein</span></h2><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Joe Fittante — Larkin Hoffman</span></h2><p><br>&nbsp;</p>

Franchise Legal Players 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Franchise Legal Players 2025 | Franchise Lawyers & Attorneys

1851 Franchise

These attorneys pair deep franchise expertise with plain-spoken judgment, guiding brands through growth, compliance and disputes while adapting to shifting rules and markets.

1851 Franchise’s Top Franchise Legal Players: Best and Brightest of 2025

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