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2
USA Guide 2022
USA - Nationwide Franchising
2
Band 2

7 Ranked Lawyers

About

Provided by Lathrop GPM

With one of the world’s leading franchise and distribution law practices, Lathrop GPM serves franchisors and master franchisees at all stages of their development, in markets throughout the world. We offer clients services related to domestic and international franchising in all aspects of their business including the following areas: franchise registrations and compliance advice, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, data security and privacy, technology, and reorganization and bankruptcy. We back up our transactional and regulatory advice with our franchise dispute resolution team. Our litigators have represented franchisors in courts and arbitration tribunals throughout the U.S., taking advantage of briefs, pleadings, and strategies which have withstood challenges in earlier cases.

International franchising remains a cornerstone of Lathrop GPM. We have advised well over 200 franchise systems with expansion efforts into more than 140 countries. While all of our offices are based in the U.S., our clients' transactions and perspective spans the globe on a daily basis. 

Beyond the 25 attorneys who focus primarily on legal issues related to franchising, Lathrop GPM has 350 lawyers who focus on other areas which support our franchisor and master franchisee clients, including employment, tax, real estate, trust and estate planning, environmental law, insurance recovery, and health law, among others.  

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Franchising - USA - Nationwide
2
Band 2
What the team is known for

Strong firm with notable expertise in dispute resolution, franchising M&A and international franchising. Offers a deep bench of attorneys covering a broad base of transactional advisory work and representation of clients in franchise litigation and arbitration. Has significant expertise in assisting franchisors to explore expansion options and address government regulations, employment issues and intellectual property matters. Additionally noted for providing franchising clients with tax advice.

Work Highlights

Provided by Lathrop GPM
  • Lathrop represented Home Instead Senior Care in its sale to Honor Technology.

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Michael R. Gray
N
Michael R. Gray
2
Band 2

Michael Gray is a litigator who works on a variety of franchise disputes, including noncompete enforcement issues.
"He is responsive and keeps us on track for deadlines." "Michael is a very well-respected attorney."

Gaylen L Knack
N
Gaylen L Knack
3
Band 3

Gaylen Knack has a strong franchise practice which includes advising on structuring franchise programs. He is experienced in handling domestic and cross-border matters.
"Gaylen is particularly strong in defining the commercial implications of the various alternatives being considered. In franchising he is great at translating the regulatory requirements to the specifics of our business." "Gaylen is very responsive and very knowledgeable."

Elizabeth Dillon
N
Elizabeth Dillon
3
Band 3

Elizabeth Dillon is an established practitioner who advises early-stage and mature franchisors on their franchise systems. She often works on international matters, including helping clients expand into Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
"Elizabeth has been a great asset to our business."

Mark Kirsch
N
Mark Kirsch
3
Band 3

Mark Kirsch acts for clients on domestic and international franchising issues, including transactional and regulatory matters.
"Mark is a very accomplished and very well-rounded lawyer." "He's extremely knowledgeable and can handle highly sophisticated matters. He is also very practical, very intelligent and thorough."

Peter J Klarfeld
N
Peter J Klarfeld
4
Band 4

Peter Klarfeld has over 35 years of experience working with franchisors. He advises on both contentious and noncontentious matters.

Eric Yaffe
N
Eric Yaffe
4
Band 4

Eric Yaffe gains recognition for his handling of franchise litigation on behalf of franchisors. He is often called upon by clients to litigate misrepresentation and breach of contact claims.
"Eric is a very strong franchise law litigation attorney - his knowledge base is extremely high, and his service level and response time is excellent." "Eric is a fabulous business lawyer who understands how to advance the needs of the business, while also appropriately protecting the interests of the company."

Justin Sallis
N
Justin Sallis
U
Up and Coming

Justin Sallis is a recognized up-and-comer in the franchising space, able to advise on both transactions and disputes.
"Justin is very smart, very personable and responsive."

Ranked Lawyers at
Lathrop GPM

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

USA - Nationwide

Franchising

Michael R. Gray
2
Michael R. Gray
2
Band 2
Elizabeth Dillon
3
Elizabeth Dillon
3
Band 3
Gaylen L Knack
3
Gaylen L Knack
3
Band 3
Mark Kirsch
3
Mark Kirsch
3
Band 3
Eric Yaffe
4
Eric Yaffe
4
Band 4
Peter J Klarfeld
4
Peter J Klarfeld
4
Band 4
Justin Sallis
U
Justin Sallis
U
Up and Coming

Members

Provided by Lathrop GPM

Alicia Goedde

Ashley Bennett Ewald

Cameron Johnson

Craig Miller

Eli Bensignor

Member photo

Elizabeth Dillon

Head of Department

Emilie Eschbacher

Erica Tokar

Frank Sciremammano

Hannah Fotsch

James Wahl

John Fitzgerald

Jose Garcia

Justin Sallis

Katie Bond

Maisa Frank

Marilyn Nathanson

Michael Sturm

Neil Goldsmith

Richard Landon

Robert Zisk

Ryan Palmer

Samuel Butler

Sandra Bodeau

Stephen Vaughan

Thomas Pacheco

Tracy Castillo

Clients

Provided by Lathrop GPM

Ace Hardware

AmRest

Batteries Plus

BeaverTails

Body Fit Training

Caribou Coffee

Home Instead Senior Care

Jan-Pro

Link Staffing Services

Little Caesar

Papa Murphy's

Radisson Hotel Brands

ServiceMaster

Signal 88

YUM China

Industries

Provided by Lathrop GPM

Automobiles & Parts

Commercial & Professional Services

Construction & Materials

Education

Entertainment

Financial Services

Fitness

Health Care

Home Services

Hospitality

Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences

Real Estate

Restaurant, Food & Beverage

Retail

Staffing Services

Technology & Computer Sciences

Travel & Leisure