Experience

Leslie focuses on advising her clients (whether start-up, middle-market, or mature) on franchise and distribution law, including structuring the relationship and regulatory compliance. Her practice emphasizes both domestic and international franchises and licensing, as well as area development, area representative and sub-franchise arrangements. Leslie also assists with mergers and acquisitions of franchise companies, franchisor-franchisee relationship issues (including complex negotiations with franchisees) and exemption-based franchising.  She regularly trains franchisor executives with respect to best practices for compliance with franchise sales and relationship laws.

Presentations

Presenter, Moderator, or Co-Presenter:

Exemption-Based Franchising Throughout the United States
American Bar Association’s 40th Annual Forum on Franchising
October 2017| Palm Desert, CA

The Top 5 Considerations in Using Financial Performance Representations (Roundtable)
57th IFA Annual Convention
January 2017| San Antonio, TX

Fundamentals of Franchising
American Bar Association’s 38th Annual Forum on Franchising
October 2015| New Orleans, LA

Art and Science of FDD Drafting
American Bar Association’s 37th Annual Forum on Franchising
October 15-17, 2014| Seattle, WA

Fundamentals of Franchising on the Road
American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising
June 11, 2014| New York City, NY

Current Hot Topics In Franchise Registration And Disclosure
International Franchise Association’s 47th Annual Legal Symposium
May 4-6, 2014| Chicago, IL

Crisis and Reputation Management: Shaping Standards of Behavior and Implementing Response Plans
American Bar Association’s 36th Annual Forum on Franchising
October 16-18, 2013| Orlando, FL

Fundamentals of Franchising
American Bar Association’s 33rd Forum on Franchising
October 13-15, 2010| San Diego, CA

Growth Through Multi-Unit Franchising
American Bar Association’s 32nd Annual Forum on Franchising
October 15-16, 2009| Toronto, ON

Managing the Multi-State Disclosure Process – Legal Roundtable
International Franchise Association’s 42nd Annual Legal Symposium
May 2009| Washington, D.C.

Common Pitfalls for Prospective Franchisees
International Franchise Expo
March 2009| Washington, D.C.

Termination Issues
International Franchise Association 49th Annual Convention
February 2009| San Diego, CA

Best Practices for Dealing with a Franchisee Who Doesn’t Fit Into the System – Legal Roundtable
International Franchise Association’s 41st Annual Legal Symposium
May 2008| Washington, D.C.

Pros and Cons of Using Brokers, Development Agents and Referral Sources
American Bar Association’s 30th Annual Forum on Franchising
October 10-12, 2007| Phoenix, AZ

How to Deal with the Financially Distressed Franchisee
International Franchise Association’s 40th Annual Legal Symposium
May 8, 2007| Washington, D.C.

Best Practices for Working with Franchisees on Transfers Roundtable
International Franchise Association 47th Annual Convention
February 24-27, 2007| Las Vegas, NV

Dealing with Financially Distressed Franchisees
International Franchise Association’s 38th Annual Legal Symposium
May 8-10, 2005| Washington, D.C.

Obtaining Franchisee Buy-In to Re-Imaging Programs
International Franchise Association 45th Annual Convention
March 6-9, 2005| Hollywood, FL

Publications

Author or Co-Author:

Exemptions and Exclusions under Federal and State Franchise Registration and Disclosure Laws (Editor)
American Bar Association Forum on Franchising
2017

The Franchise Law Compliance Manual, Chapter 2, Franchise Disclosure and Sales Compliance
Forum on Franchising
2011| American Bar Association

Understanding Franchise Law
Young Lawyers’ Division
August 2009| American Bar Association

Exemption-Based Franchising: Are You Playing in a Minefield?
28 American Bar Association Franchise Law Journal No. 4
Spring 2009

Legal Considerations In Expanding a Business through Franchising
The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel
July 2007

Sweeping Changes to Federal Labor Law Gain Momentum on Capitol Hill
May 2, 2007| Franchise Alert

The Franchise Transfer Process: Taking it One Step at a Time
April 25, 2007| Franchise Alert

Small Business Health Plans: What Will 2007 Bring?
March 16, 2007| Franchise Alert

Franchise Registration: It’s Time to Renew
February 20, 2007| Franchise Alert

Taking The Plunge—Are You Ready To Franchise?
Small Business Opportunities
Winter 2006

Small Business Health Plans: Are They Getting Closer to Reality?
The Franchise Lawyer, Vol. 10, No. 1
September 2006

Retool Your Franchise Program to Attract and Retain Women Franchisees
June 2004| Franchising World