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
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
- Lathrop represented Home Instead Senior Care in its sale to Honor Technology.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are like a business partner, they are committed to the client and they give us practical advice."
"Lathrop has excellent depth and breadth of team, with a key person for any matter we may need to have addressed in our organization."
"Lathrop has top-notch partners and staff."
"They are like a business partner, they are committed to the client and they give us practical advice."
"Lathrop has excellent depth and breadth of team, with a key person for any matter we may need to have addressed in our organization."
"Lathrop has top-notch partners and staff."
Notable Practitioners
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 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 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 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 Klarfeld has over 35 years of experience working with franchisors. He advises on both contentious and noncontentious matters.
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 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
USA - Nationwide
Members
Provided by Lathrop GPM
Alicia Goedde
Ashley Bennett Ewald
Cameron Johnson
Craig Miller
Eli Bensignor
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