Franchise and Distribution
Franchising is at once a simple and complex system, from both a business and legal perspective. The operation of a franchised business involves many simple and standard business and legal issues, such as employment issues or the negotiation of a lease. However, franchising also involves highly specialized business and legal issues, owing to its highly regulated framework.
Accordingly, the Franchise Practice Group at Meardon, Sueppel & Downer, P.L.C. provides representation in all areas of franchising, including evaluation, formation, registration, operation, arbitration and litigation. We provide a full range of services, including:
Consultation and evaluation of prospective franchise opportunities for franchisees.
Preparation of uniform franchise offering circulars (UFOCs) and franchise agreements for franchisors.
State registration and renewal of franchise documents for franchisors, including administrative appeals.
Maintenance and updating of UFOCs and franchise agreements for franchisors in accordance with state and federal law.
International expansion of franchise systems.
Formation of franchisee associations.
Counseling franchisees and franchisors on general business and legal matters of franchise operations.
Counseling franchisees and franchisors on the use of trade names, trademarks, service marks and copyrights.
Arbitration of disputes on behalf of franchisees and franchisors.
Litigation of disputes on behalf of franchisees and franchisors, in both state and federal courts.
The Franchise Practice Group is led by Mark T. Hamer. Mr. Hamer has over thirty years of experience in franchise law. He is an Adjunct Professor in the University of Iowa College of Business Administration and a frequent presenter and lecturer on topics relevant to franchising. Mr. Hamer has twice presented at the Annual International Franchise Association Legal Symposium in Washington, D.C. on “Renewal and Change In a Franchise System” and “Working with the Financially Distressed Franchisee-A Franchisee Perspective”. He has also presented on “The New Uniform Franchise Offering Circular Guidelines” at the 1995 Iowa State Bar Association Trade Regulation Seminar.
The Franchise Practice Group also includes James D. McCarragher, Douglas D. Ruppert, Charles A. Meardon, Dennis J. Mitchell, David J. Bright, and Peter J. Gardner.
Attorneys Practicing
The following Members and Associates practice in the area of Franchise and Distribution:
David J. Bright
Peter J. Gardner
Mark T. Hamer
Carrie L. Lathrop
James D. McCarragher
Charles A. Meardon
Dennis J. Mitchell
