Franchise Legal Players: Dan Warshawsky of Warshawsky Seltzer, PLLC
1851 Interviews the Highest Profile Attorneys in Franchising for the 2018 Franchise Legal Player Awards
Name: Dan Warshawsky
Firm: Warshawsky Seltzer, PLLC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-warshawsky-91630934/
About Your Firm: Warshawsky Seltzer was built to serve the needs of its franchisor clientele. In addition to domestic and international franchise transactional experience, we have expertise in the areas of dispute resolution, corporate, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, technology/software licensing and trademarks. Most of our attorneys have also been business owners, which enables them to better understand the needs of the client and provide practical business advice. Nothing about our firm is “traditional,” from our creative fee structures to our virtual law firm environment to the non-traditional experiences and backgrounds that we value in our legal professionals.
Website: www.franchiselawyers.com
What makes your firm stand out as a resource for the franchise industry?
In addition to our tremendous depth of experience, we excel in client satisfaction. We are responsive, practical and results oriented. In our 4+ years of operation, we have never had a franchisor client move their work to another law firm.
What is the No. 1 thing a franchisor/franchisee should look for when identifying the right franchise attorney?
A franchisor should not just look for an attorney with significant franchise experience, but an attorney with a compatible personality. In the franchise world, clients are constantly on the phone with their attorney. They should select an attorney with whom they will enjoy working and someone who will consistently meet or exceed their expectations in terms of responsiveness. Lack of responsiveness is a common gripe we hear from clients regarding their former lawyers.
When it comes to your work, what makes you most happy?
I love nothing more than taking a new concept from inception to household name. I also greatly value the friendships I’ve built over the years with my clients.
What are your top concerns for the franchise industry in the next year?
The slow death of the retail industry (due to the Amazon effect) and higher minimum wages killing profits.
What are you most optimistic about in the franchise industry in the next year?
Strong growth of service industry and the breadth of new service/membership-based franchise systems.