Growing a 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.
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 franchise lawyers whose work, leadership and steady judgment make a measurable difference for clients navigating growth, compliance and disputes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Legal Player: Charles Internicola
Firm: Internicola Law Firm
For Charles Internicola, franchising was both a natural evolution and a deliberate choice. With a lifelong passion for business and entrepreneurship, Internicola began his career focused on business law and growth-focused transactions. As clients started exploring licensing and franchising, he saw the opportunity to build something bigger — a law firm dedicated to advancing entrepreneurial goals and fueling the expansion of brands he believed in. Today, as founding partner of the Internicola Law Firm, he leads a team committed to combining deep legal expertise with growth-driven client support.
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.
Legal Player: Chad Finkelstein
Firm: Dale & Lessman LLP
For Chad Finkelstein, franchise law is about combining legal strategy with entrepreneurial creativity. A transactional lawyer by training, Finkelstein has always admired creators — the people who build brands from the ground up and bring them to life in new markets. That admiration, paired with his legal expertise, led him into franchising, where he helps brand owners commercialize their concepts and expand strategically across regions and borders. As a partner at Dale & Lessman, Finkelstein is recognized for his practical approach, clear communication and commitment to guiding clients with actionable advice.
Legal Player: Leslie Curran
Firm: Plave Koch PLC
Leslie Curran is a partner at Plave Koch PLC and a veteran franchise attorney whose path into the field began by chance and became a 25-year career. She built her practice alongside a franchise group in Washington, D.C., and today is known for practical, system-minded counsel to franchisors. At Plave Koch, she works within a team of 10 franchise partners that focuses exclusively on franchisor work, emphasizes efficient project management and uses transparent, flexible billing.
Curran stands out for how closely she integrates with clients’ business teams and for her long service to the profession. She has been deeply involved with the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, including a term on its Governing Committee, and she brings a wide network across the franchise bar to every engagement. The result is a lawyer who pairs technical depth with a collaborative style, positioning brands to scale while staying true to their standards.
Legal Player: Christian Thompson
Firm: The Franchise & Business Law Group, LLC
Christian Thompson has franchising in his DNA. Growing up with a father who was a franchise attorney, Thompson was immersed in the world of franchising early on. That foundation shaped his career path, giving him the opportunity to work side-by-side with his dad for more than a decade. Today, at The Franchise & Business Law Group, LLC, Thompson brings that legacy forward by guiding franchisors through complex legal landscapes with practical, solution-oriented advice.
Legal Player: Jennifer Dolman
Firm: Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Jennifer Dolman is a Disputes partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and one of Canada’s most experienced franchise litigators. She came to franchising through trademark and brand disputes, then built a practice in the late 1990s, helping shape best practices as provincial franchise laws took hold. Today she advises franchisors on protecting core assets — trademarks, brand, goodwill and system — through careful franchisee selection and training, vigilant compliance and strong documents. She also brings a cross-border lens, regularly guiding U.S. brands as they adapt to Canada’s disclosure regime and navigate the risk of statutory rescission, misrepresentation and breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing claims.
Dolman is a key member of Osler’s nationally recognized franchise group, a Band 1 Chambers Canada practice with more than 50 years advising 500-plus franchise systems and an integrated bench of commercial, litigation and subject-matter experts, supported by Osler Dash®, the firm's technology platform that allows franchisors to automate their franchise legal documents and processes. She is deeply involved in the franchise bar — attending the Ontario Bar Association’s Franchise Law Section (chair from 2016 to 2018), attending U.S. franchise conferences and contributing an online franchise column to the National Post from 2012 to 2014 — reflecting a career defined by practical rigor, industry leadership and proactive, business-oriented counsel.
Legal Player: Allan Dick
Firm: Sotos LLP
Allan Dick is a partner at Sotos LLP and a career franchise litigator who cut his teeth in 1986 handling disputes for one of Canada’s largest restaurant franchisors. That early exposure set the tone for a practice built inside the industry, not at its edges. He treats franchise law as one piece of a broader business brief, advising brands and owners on issues that span operations, growth and risk. His lens is practical: protect the brand by teaching franchisees why controls exist, tie standards to systemwide success and make sure every rule has a business reason franchisees can see.
Legal Player: Robert Zarco
Firm: Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, PA
Robert Zarco’s path into franchise law is a story all its own. He grew up working and saving money at a young age, running a landscaping business and negotiating his own contracts before most teenagers even had jobs. By the time he was 15, he had saved $54,000. Driving past McDonald’s and Burger King in the 1960s, he told his parents that one day he would own one because, in his eyes, franchising meant wealth. Years later, as a young lawyer, Zarco found himself representing Burger King franchisees in what became a landmark case — one that opened his eyes to the darker realities of franchising and set the course for his career.
In 1992, Zarco opened his own law firm, quickly winning a precedent-setting decision on the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. He used that victory to build momentum, becoming known as “the equalizer” for franchisees who otherwise lacked the financial ability to fight back against franchisors. Today, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, PA is recognized as the largest franchisee practice in the world, representing thousands of franchisees from more than 500 brands across 45 states and 23 countries.
Legal Player: Michael S. Rosenthal
Firm: Clark Hill Law
Michael S. Rosenthal’s introduction to franchising came by way of public service. As an assistant attorney general for the state of Georgia, he was responsible for enforcing the state’s business opportunity statute. When he left that office for private practice, a number of the same people he had previously penalized came to him seeking help with compliance. At the time, business opportunities were regulated under the FTC’s franchise rule, and over the years Rosenthal’s practice naturally expanded to cover both business opportunities and franchising. Today, as a member at Clark Hill Law, he brings that deep and unique perspective to his clients on both sides of the franchise table.
Legal Player: Mark Kirsch
Firm: Lathrop GPM
Four decades in, Mark Kirsch still gravitates to the places where franchise law meets day-to-day operations. He moved into the field 39 years ago after an early career in regulatory litigation and found a practice that rewards curiosity and collaboration. He works comfortably with founders and seasoned executives, private equity and growing systems, and he prizes clients who treat counsel as a partner and set honest timelines so decisions land where they should.
His guidance is steady and practical. Listen to franchisees without handing over the wheel. Explain why changes and investments are happening so the network can move together. Enforce brand standards before small problems turn into big ones. Write agreements that can adapt as technology and customer expectations shift, and resist the “sweetheart” deals that feel good in the moment but weaken a system later.
At Lathrop GPM, Kirsch is part of a franchise group built for that kind of work — collaborative, business minded and backed by a full-service platform that can handle everything from compliance to disputes at home and abroad. The firm’s Multilaw ties, leadership roles in the International Franchise Association and American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, and a clear commitment to inclusion give clients reach and credibility. What Kirsch brings to the table is seasoned judgment and clear communication aimed at strengthening unit-level performance over time.
Legal Player: Craig Tractenberg
Firm: Fox Rothschild LLP
Craig Tractenberg’s journey into franchise law began with an unexpected twist. He originally intended to become a securities lawyer on Wall Street, but when job prospects fell through during a recession, he stayed with a small Philadelphia firm that represented Dunkin’ Donuts Inc. As Dunkin’ grew, Tractenberg’s franchise practice grew alongside it, and the in-house team gave him a first-class education in the intricacies of franchising. Today, Tractenberg is co-chair of Franchise and Distribution Practice and International Arbitration Practice at Fox Rothschild LLP, and he continues to shape the field by helping to write the next franchise law textbook.
Legal Player: Ryan Whitfill
Firm: CM Law
Ryan Whitfill, a partner at CM Law, came to franchising by way of corporate and securities work. As a young associate, he stepped in when his firm lost its franchise law associates and began working with the firm’s leading franchise partner. The fit stuck. He found energy in serving franchisors and became a core member of the franchise practice, a path that still shapes his approach today. Whitfill’s counsel centers on protecting the brand by preserving the product and service standards that made it successful in the first place, then scaling those standards through training, support, incentives and regular reviews.
Legal Player: Jason Power
The Firm: Franchise.Law
Jason Power didn’t set out to become a franchise attorney, but once he entered the space, he never looked back. Originally practicing family and business law, Power was introduced to franchising by a former classmate. Together, they launched a firm dedicated exclusively to franchise law. Even after moving on from that venture, Power chose to remain in franchising and now serves as managing attorney at Franchise.Law, where he provides highly personalized, franchise-focused counsel to clients across the country.
Legal Player: Harris J. Chernow
Firm: Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP
Harris J. Chernow is a veteran franchise and corporate attorney whose career in franchising began by chance with an early Subway matter. The work revealed a niche that became his focus for more than 30 years, supported by deep involvement with the American Bar Association and the International Franchise Association. He’s drawn to the way franchise law intersects with daily life and to the variety of segments under the franchising umbrella, from hotels to tax prep to QSR, which keeps the practice grounded and practical.
Chernow brings a collaborative, business-minded approach to the franchise legal landscape. He values clients who engage in real dialogue, marrying legal guidance with operational realities. His counsel prioritizes tackling issues early rather than dismissing them, pacing growth to protect quality, and keeping attention on unit-level performance amid the natural tension between franchisor top-line and franchisee bottom-line goals. As a partner at Reger Rizzo & Darnall, he emphasizes practical, efficient and personal service, giving the same level of attention to single-unit owners as to large operators and building the trust that long-term franchise systems demand.
Legal Player: Leonard Vines
Firm: UB Greensfelder LLP
Leonard Vines’ journey into franchise law started with a spark of curiosity. Early in his career, a restaurant client interested in franchising paid for him to attend the very first American Bar Association Forum on Franchising in Chicago. Although that client ultimately did not pursue franchising, the event left a lasting impression. A few years later, another client decided to franchise its business and quickly grew to 16 locations. At the time, few attorneys in his city were practicing franchise law since the FTC Rule was still relatively new, which positioned Vines as a pioneer. He began writing about the subject, contributing articles to a local business journal and authoring a chapter on franchise law for Rabkin & Johnson Current Legal Forms.
Today, as of counsel at UB Greensfelder LLP, Vines continues to bring decades of expertise to franchisors nationwide, offering guidance rooted in both legal precision and client-centered service.
Legal Player: Rochelle Spandorf
Firm: Steinbrecher & Span
Rochelle “Shelly” Spandorf, of counsel at Steinbrecher & Span, is widely recognized as one of the most experienced franchise attorneys in the country. She entered the field unexpectedly early in her career, just as the Federal Trade Commission’s franchise disclosure rule was taking shape, and has since built decades of expertise guiding franchisors and franchisees through the complex legal landscape of the industry. Over the years, she has advised on disclosure, registration and regulatory matters, and today her practice spans expert witness work, high-stakes disputes and counsel for companies exploring alternative growth models such as distributorships, dealerships and licensing.
After 25 years in Big Law, Spandorf joined Steinbrecher & Span at the start of 2025, drawn to its team of seasoned attorneys with similar backgrounds. Known for her thoroughness, responsiveness and balanced judgment, she emphasizes the importance of strong relationships within the franchise community and is respected for her ability to approach issues without leaning on franchisor or franchisee ideology. Her long tenure in the field has positioned her as both a trusted advisor and a steady hand for businesses navigating franchising’s opportunities and challenges.
Legal Player: Kitt Shipe
Firm: Shipe Dosik Law
Kitt Shipe’s path into franchise law began under the mentorship of one of the industry’s most respected leaders. Early in her career as a corporate attorney at a large Atlanta-based firm, Shipe was invited to join the Franchise Team led by Rupert Barkoff. Barkoff’s passion for franchise law was “infectious,” and Shipe quickly discovered the excitement of working directly with entrepreneurs to help them build independence and financial security through franchising. Over the years, Shipe has found his work deeply rewarding — not only in guiding businesses but also in building lasting friendships with clients along the way.
Today, as a partner at Shipe Dosik Law, Shipe leverages both technical franchise expertise and in-house experience to help brands navigate compliance, growth and enforcement with practical, business-minded solutions.
Legal Player: Marisa Faunce
Firm: Plave Koch PLC
Marisa Faunce’s journey into franchise law started with a simple conversation that changed her career path. Early in her legal career, she rotated through various practice areas while searching for the right fit. During a mentoring session, she was told that lawyers do their best work when they are passionate about their practice. When asked what she enjoyed in her free time, Faunce quickly answered that she loved traveling and trying new restaurants. That offhand response pointed her toward franchising. She began handling litigation for franchisors before transitioning into franchise regulatory and transactional work. Today, as a partner at Plave Koch PLC, Faunce has built a career around her passion for the franchise business model — and she still enjoys spending her free time at franchised hotels and restaurants.
Legal Player: Joel Buckberg
Firm: Baker Donelson
Joel Buckberg entered franchising in 1985, when Days Inns of America was shifting from company-owned to franchised hotels and needed a lawyer devoted to that strategy. He learned fast, mixing continuing legal education with on-the-ground problem solving, and found a niche where legal counsel and business analysis work side by side. That blend still defines his approach. Buckberg argues that brand culture matters more than the paperwork, because customers meet the brand through franchisees and their staffs. He pushes for training that shapes both service and technical execution, reinforces what works, corrects what doesn’t and, when necessary, removes owners who can’t meet the mark.
His advice tracks the economics as closely as the law. He calls Item 19 the best way to answer the question every prospect asks — “How much can I make?” — with data a franchisor can substantiate. He also warns against the hidden cost of delay: tolerating noncompliance poisons a system, so purging a bad operator early can be worth more than any cost-benefit tally at a single unit.
At Baker Donelson, Buckberg brings a wide platform and a long view, helping franchisors and multi-unit owners build frameworks that fit the business, not the other way around. The through line is simple and demanding: listen to the client, manage risk with clear eyes and protect the brand so it can grow.
Legal Player: Richard Bayer
Firm: Einbinder, Dunn, Dimitri & Bayer LLP
For Richard Bayer, franchise law sits at the perfect intersection of his education and professional interests. A graduate of NYU Stern, where he studied finance, accounting, operational systems and marketing, Bayer became fascinated with how intellectual property can be monetized, how deals are structured and the paths early-stage companies can take to scale. After law school, where he focused on contract law, licensing, real estate and bankruptcy, Bayer realized he was far more interested in negotiating and drafting contracts than in building financial models. Although no franchise-specific courses existed at the time, Bayer found his way into the field shortly after graduation and joined his current firm nearly 20 years ago.
Legal Player: Joe Fittante
Firm: Larkin Hoffman
Joe Fittante, president of Larkin Hoffman, has built a career as one of the franchise industry’s most trusted legal voices. Though he never set out to become a lawyer — or even imagined himself in franchising — his business-minded background and entrepreneurial family roots shaped his path. Today, he leads a firm with a 50-year reputation for creative problem solving and integrity, helping franchisors protect their brands while supporting their long-term growth.
Known for his pragmatic approach, Fittante emphasizes accessibility, responsiveness and a focus on results. Under his leadership, Larkin Hoffman has distinguished itself as a firm that gets things done in an environment where that is often easier said than done. With decades of experience in franchise law and a strong commitment to client relationships, he continues to influence how franchisors navigate legal complexities and build sustainable systems.
Legal Player: Andrew P. Bleiman
Firm: Marks & Klein
Andrew P. Bleiman’s path into franchising came down to good luck and timing. While working at a large law firm, he had the chance to engage with a variety of franchise industry issues. The more he learned, the more fascinated he became. Bleiman quickly recognized franchising as a dynamic and challenging field — one that combined entrepreneurship, brand building and law in unique ways. Today, as managing attorney of the Illinois offices of Marks & Klein, LLC, he applies that entrepreneurial mindset to provide practical and strategic counsel to franchisors and franchisees alike.
Legal Player: Rich Greenstein
Firm: DLA Piper
Rich Greenstein, a partner at DLA Piper, is a veteran franchise attorney with decades of experience guiding brands through the legal complexities of franchising. His entry into the field was somewhat unplanned, beginning when he shifted from IBM’s legal department to a boutique firm in Atlanta. There, he took on the role of lead franchise lawyer, a move that would shape the rest of his career and position him as a trusted adviser to both domestic and international clients.
Over the years, Greenstein has built a reputation for being at the forefront of franchise law, drawing on his breadth of experience to help franchisors strengthen their systems and protect their brands. At DLA Piper, he continues to stand out for his deep industry knowledge, problem-solving ability and commitment to supporting businesses through every stage of their growth. His long career reflects both an adaptability to the evolving franchise landscape and a dedication to helping clients build sustainable, resilient brands.
Legal Player: Brett Buterick
Firm: The Franchise Firm
Brett Buterick discovered franchising early in his legal career while working alongside his now co-founder and partner, Evan Goldman. Goldman was already well-established in the franchise industry, and as Buterick collaborated with him, he quickly recognized the depth, nuance and close-knit nature of the franchise law community. The field offered the perfect combination of law, business and human relationships. Buterick was hooked — and he has dedicated himself to the practice ever since.
Legal Player: Mike Drumm
Firm: Drumm Law
Mike Drumm has been an entrepreneur longer than he’s been a lawyer. He started his first company back in college, and that entrepreneurial drive still shapes how he approaches his legal practice today. When Drumm began his legal career, he was drawn to helping businesses, but franchising quickly stood out. To him, it represented “the ultimate expression of entrepreneurs helping other entrepreneurs.” That perspective has guided him in building Drumm Law into a client-focused firm that blends legal expertise with a passion for growth, innovation, and fun.
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