Kevin Maher

Practice Areas

Kevin Maher currently leads the Dallas Office’s International Commercial Practice Group and is a member of the management committee for the Texas Offices. Kevin has a broad-based business-transactional practice focusing on complex cross-border corporate and commercial contract matters, with a heavy emphasis on global brand expansion and international business growth via franchising, licensing, joint ventures and direct investment. His broad experience extends to multiparty cross-border joint venture transactions, international franchise, master franchise and development transactions, licensing and distribution transactions, international mergers and acquisitions, international regulatory compliance, IP and tax structuring, multijurisdictional corporate reorganizations, international corporate formation and maintenance and international real estate and finance.

Kevin has been listed in both Chambers Global and Chambers USA as a leading franchise lawyer and was praised by clients as "a deal maker who is highly responsive and resourceful." Kevin is also a regular speaker and writer on topics dealing with international franchising and international joint ventures. Kevin is currently a member of the International Franchise Association’s International Committee and has been named as a Leading Lawyer in Franchising by Who’s Who Legal and as a Franchise Times Legal Eagle.

Kevin routinely advises and counsels clients in various industries with respect to the myriad challenges and opportunities presented by expanding, acquiring, franchising, licensing, selling and financing brands and businesses on an international level.

Publications

• Co-presenter, "Experts of The Americas: Opportunities for Expansion through Franchising in Latin America and the Caribbean," Baker McKenzie Insights, February 3, 2023

• Co-author, "Changes to "Dual Distribution" relationships under the EU Vertical Block Exemption Regulation are here - What it means for franchise relationships," Baker McKenzie Insights, May 23, 2022

• Co-author, "No Conflict! The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Holds Franchisors Can Comply with both the FTC Franchise Rule and Massachusetts' ABC Test," The Employer Report, April 1, 2022

• Co-author, “Not Just Another M&A Deal,” The Franchise Lawyer, Fall 2016

Work Highlights

• Represents several leading franchised brands (including casual dining, fast casual and quick service restaurants, entertainment centers, hotels, fitness clubs, car rental companies, retail stores and service businesses) in their international franchise, joint venture and other international matters on a global level.

• Assists major hotel brands expanding internationally via franchising in connection with negotiating and documenting franchise transactions, conducting local due diligence and regulatory compliance.

• Assisted leading restaurant brand in opening new markets for company-owned and direct franchised locations.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

USA

Languages Spoken

English

Education