Keri McWilliams

Practice Areas

• Franchising & Distribution (U.S. and cross-border)

• International franchising and cross-border expansion (including master franchise, area development, and regional development structures)

• Inbound U.S. market entry for international brands

• Franchise compliance and sales practices (FDDs, registrations, exemptions, advertising and fee disclosures)

• Franchise relationships and enforcement (defaults, renewals, transfers, terminations; vicarious liability and joint employer risk)

• Brand protection for franchise systems (trademark strategy and disclosure considerations; enforcement support and risk management)

• Franchise transactions and system evolution (multi-unit development, conversions, reacquisitions, strategic sales/private equity, royalty monetization and related financing structures)

Career

Keri McWilliams is a partner in Nixon Peabody’s Corporate practice and co-leader of the firm’s Franchising & Distribution team, based in Washington, DC. She advises franchisors and growth-minded brands on building, scaling, and protecting franchise and distribution systems in the United States and internationally. She is particularly experienced with cross-border growth—helping U.S. franchisors expand into new markets and supporting international brands entering the U.S. with practical, compliant strategies.

Keri’s practice spans franchise compliance and sales readiness, franchise relationship management, and strategic transactions, with an emphasis on brand protection as franchise systems grow. She advises on trademark and brand-risk issues that intersect with franchising, including disclosure considerations, system standards, and enforcement strategy, and coordinates with intellectual property colleagues to help clients build and protect trademark portfolios that support long-term expansion.

Keri regularly supports cross-border franchise and distribution structures, including master franchise, area development, and regional development models, and coordinates with local counsel to align documentation and compliance requirements across jurisdictions. Her experience includes matters involving Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, and additional jurisdictions across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

Keri also advises franchisors on transactions and long-term planning, including multi-unit development structures, system evolution, and franchisor succession planning. Her experience includes sales to strategic buyers and private equity, as well as royalty monetization transactions and related financing structures, including securitizations.

In addition to her client work, Keri is active in industry leadership and thought leadership. She is the immediate past chair of the International Franchise Association’s Legal Legislative Committee and a regular writer and presenter on franchise law topics, including through the International Franchise Association and the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising.

Professional Memberships

• Member, American Bar Association Forum on Franchising

• Member, International Franchise Association

• Immediate Past Chair, International Franchise Association Legal Legislative Committee

• Former Vice Chair, International Franchise Association Legal Legislative Committee

• Former Associate Editor, The Franchise Lawyer (American Bar Association publication)

• NASAA Franchise and Business Opportunity Advisory Committee Member (June 2022–December 2023)

• American Bar Association Forum on Franchising Nominating Committee (2017)

• Committee Member, ABA Forum on Franchising Young Lawyers Division (Sept. 2014–Sept. 2015)

Education