Commercial Litigation
Franchise and Distributorship Relations

For more than a generation, one of the primary means of marketing goods and services has been through franchising arrangements, distributorship relations and dealer networks. The explosive growth in the quantity and the variety of such forms of enterprise requires businesses and their legal counsel to have thorough familiarity with specialized contract provisions and complex statutory and regulatory rules that govern this important segment of our economy.

Our Franchise and Distributorship attorneys focus on helping our clients achieve their business objective through cost-effective legal services that lead to favorable results.

We know that dealing with a serious litigation matter distracts our clients from the important work they do. That is why we work to find business solutions to disputes whenever possible. However, when a business solution is not possible, our highly experienced attorneys assist clients in reaching successful and cost-effective resolutions. Whether your dispute centers on the franchisor-franchisee relationship or the manufacturer-distributor relationship, you can count on us to provide valuable insight and vigorous representation.

Litigation Experience

Our Franchise and Distribution Litigation Team includes experienced litigators who represent franchisors and manufacturers in wide-ranging litigation in state and federal courts across the country, as well as in arbitration proceedings, mediations, and administrative proceedings.

Our Litigation team works closely with our transactional attorneys, and regularly counsels clients on franchise matters and in connection with strategic planning, to properly address and contain matters before the onset of litigation. We have extensive experience with all areas of franchise and distributorship litigation and dispute resolution, representing both franchisor and franchisee and distributor and distributee.

In addition to requiring knowledge of provisions relating specifically to franchisor-franchisee and manufacturer-distributor-dealer relationships, disputes in this arena frequently raise issues of antitrust law, securities law, intellectual property law and common law principles relating to breach of contract, fraud and business torts. Our attorneys have substantial experience in all of these areas.

We also represent clients in complex commercial litigation matters, such as class action, consolidated and multi-party lawsuits. These disputes include franchisee and distributor terminations, breach of contract, unfair competition, encroachment, non-solicitation and non-competition issues. These disputes also include bankruptcy issues relating to liquidations, and reorganizations of franchisors, franchisees, critical vendors and suppliers, distributors, and licensors. Other disputes that have been successfully addressed include government investigations, regulatory oversight, workplace fraud, and labor and employment issues.