Kendal H Tyre

Practice Areas

Franchising & Distribution

Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

Arbitration, Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution

International Services

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Corporate Transactions

Africa

CFIUS (Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.)

DEI Strategic Services

Career

Based in Nixon Peabody's Washington DC office, Kendal handles domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances, as well as licensing and franchise and distribution law.

/My focus

Franchising

With over 30 years of experience in franchise and distribution law, I represent franchisors throughout their business life cycle—from start-up franchise systems to middle-market franchisors and mature, global franchise systems. I also counsel companies expanding through licensing agreements and product distribution arrangements throughout the world. I have extensive experience structuring, negotiating, and enforcing domestic and international franchise, license, distribution, and acquisition agreements.

I am a frequent contributor to franchise publications and a frequent speaker at franchise programs held by the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising, the International Bar Association, and the International Franchise Association.

I am the co-editor of International Franchise Sales Laws, a book published by the American Bar Association in February 2023; it is an authoritative yet practical resource to help lawyers navigate international franchise sales laws.

I am the executive director of the LexNoir Foundation and serve as an editor and author for the “Franchising In” international book series published by the LexNoir Foundation. My recent books include International Franchising 2016: Legal and Business Considerations, a 600-page publication that covers 41 countries and was a collaboration of over 60 legal practitioners across the globe.

Region Focus (Africa)

I have been appointed to serve in my second term as a member of the Trade Advisory Committee on Africa (TACA), which is a US federal advisory committee that advises the US government on US trade policy in Africa.

/Looking ahead

Franchising has experienced phenomenal growth around the world and Africa is no exception. The saturation of Western markets, the relaxation of trade barriers and the globalization of business have pushed franchisors to new African markets to distribute their products and services. My franchise practice is at the forefront of this industry trend.

Professional Memberships

Vice Chair of the International Bar Association, International Franchising Committee

Member of the American Bar Association and the National Bar Association

Former chair of the International Law Section of the National Bar Association

Former president and cofounder of the Rochester Black Bar Association, an affiliate of the National Bar Association

Education