Leonard D Vines

Practice Areas

Franchising & Distribution

Business Services

Career

With extensive experience representing franchisors and distributors, Leonard Vines is a nationally recognized expert in franchising. He has been ranked nationally in franchise law by Chambers USA for eight consecutive years, drawing acclaim for his skills as a creative thinker and strong communicator. He has represented national, regional and local franchisors, advising on matters including:

- Alternatives to franchising

- Structuring franchise and distribution programs

- Complying with state and federal laws and regulations and defending state enforcement actions

- Handling franchise terminations and transfers

- Resolving franchisor-franchisee disputes

He has assisted start-up and established franchisors, as well as franchisees and franchisee associations. Leonard works closely with litigators on trial strategy and alternative dispute resolution and has represented companies and individuals on legal matters such as real estate transactions and mergers and acquisitions of franchise companies. He frequently assists lenders who are loaning money to businesses that are acquiring other franchise companies.

A frequent lecturer and writer on franchise topics, Leonard has spoken for groups including the American Bar Association Forum Committee on Franchising and the International Franchise Association and has written for The Franchise Law Journal and the ABA Journal. He is a certified mediator and former municipal judge and is a member in good standing of the mediation and arbitration panels of Forum.

Professional Memberships

- International Franchise Association, Legal Symposium Planning Committee, 2011-2012

- American Bar Association Forum Committee on Franchising, Governing Committee, 2002-2005

- North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), Franchise Project Group Industry Advisory Committee, 2007-present

- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

- University of Missouri School of Law, Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution, certified mediator

- Law Journal Newsletter's "Franchising Business & Law Alert," Editorial Board

Publications

Co-author, Chapter 2, "Scope and Coverage of the FTC Rule"

The FTC Franchise Rule Third Edition, 2019

"Lenders Beware: Potential Red Flags When Financing Franchises"

ABF Journal, November/December 2017

"Exemptions Under the FTC Franchise Rule"

Exemptions and Exclusions under Federal and State Franchise Registration and Disclosure Laws, American Bar Association, 2017