Experience

Marisa counsels franchisors, licensors, and manufacturers on transactional, regulatory and intellectual property issues involved in developing and growing franchise programs. She also counsels franchisors regarding all aspects of the franchise relationship, including operational compliance, system standards, default and termination strategies and franchise workouts. Marisa represents franchisors ranging in size from start-ups to category leaders in connection with the development and maintenance of their franchise programs. She has extensive experience in structuring and revamping franchise programs, drafting franchise, license and area development agreements and counseling franchisors with regard to regulatory (FDD) compliance issues. She also represents franchisors with regard to corporate transactions, contract negotiations, master franchise programs, captive market development, international transactions, and dispute resolution matters.

Marisa counsels trademark owners on brand protection strategies and handles domestic and international trademark portfolios. She regularly represents our clients before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in trademark prosecution actions and handles trademark-licensing transactions around the world.

Marisa regularly trains franchisor executives with respect to franchise sales, relationship and regulatory compliance issues.

Presentations

Presenter, Moderator, or Co-Presenter:

WEB 2.0: Social Networks, Branding, and Franchising – 2022 and Beyond!
International Franchise Expo
June 2022| New York, N.Y.

Why Franchising? How Women Can be Successful in Today’s Franchising Marketplace
International Franchise Expo
May 2018| New York, NY

Why Franchising? How Women Can be Successful in Today’s Franchising Marketplace
Franchise Expo West
November 2017| Los Angeles, CA

The Accidental Franchise
Fairfax Bar Association Annual Convention
October 2017| Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, PA

Walking The Line: How to Administer a Franchise System in Light of the NLRB’s New Joint
International Franchise Expo
June 2017| New York, NY

The Legal Aspects of Franchising Your Business
International Franchise Expo
May 2003 – June 2017| Washington, DC and New York, NY

Franchisees: What Does the NLRB Mean to You?
International Franchise Association 57th Annual Convention
January 2017| Las Vegas, NV

The Accidental Franchise: Tips for Business Lawyers
Fairfax Bar Association
May 2016| Fairfax, VA

Joint Employer Issues in Franchising
Canadian Franchise Association
April 2016| Ottawa, Ontario

Steps to Franchise Your Business
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce
March 2016| Reston, VA

Shifting Gears: Modifying Key Franchise Agreement Terms in Response to Recent Regulatory Changes
International Franchise Association 56th Annual Convention
February 2016| San Antonio, TX

The Legal Aspects of Franchising Your Business
West Coast Franchise Expo
October 2004 – October 2015| Houston, TX; Anaheim, CA; Los Angeles, CA

Franchise Registration
IFA 48th Annual Legal Symposium
May 2015| Chicago, Illinois

Cutting Edge Franchise Agreements and Concepts
Franchise Expo South
February 2015| Houston, TX

Using the Manual to Enforce System Standards (Roundtable)
IFA 47th Annual Legal Symposium
May 2014| Chicago, Illinois

The Accidental Franchise: Traps for the Unwary and Elements of Control in Trademark License Agreements
Florida Bar Association 5th Annual Intellectual Property Symposium
March 2014| Tampa, FL

Protecting Your Brand Through Social Media Roundtable
International Franchise Association Annual Convention
February 2014| New Orleans, LA

Assessing Materiality – What to Include and When to Amend
American Bar Association’s 35th Annual Forum on Franchising
October 2012| Los Angeles, CA

Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Financial Performance Representations
International Franchise Association Legal Symposium
May 2012| Washington, D.C.

Trademarks and Intellectual Property Roundtable
International Franchise Association Annual Convention
February 2012| Orlando, FL

Financial Performance Representations (Roundtable Facilitator)
IFA Legal Symposium
May 2011| Washington, D.C.

Franchising Your Business
International Franchise Expo
April 2003 - April 2011| Washington, D.C. and New York, NY

Financial Performance Representations
IFA Convention
February 2011| Las Vegas, NV

Financial Performance Representations
International Franchise Expo
April 2010| Washington, D.C.

Financial Performance Representations
West Coast Franchise Expo
October 2009| Los Angeles, CA

Financial Performance Representations
International Franchise Expo
April 2009| Washington, D.C.

Trademarks and Intellectual Property
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
March 2009

Helping Franchise Systems Succeed: Avoiding the Pitfalls Encountered in the Early Stages of Franchising
41st International Franchise Association Legal Symposium
May 2008| Washington, D.C.

Earnings Claims and Financial Performance Representations
International Franchise Expo
April 2008| Washington, D.C.

Franchisor/Franchisee Communications
48th Annual International Franchise Association Convention
February 9-12, 2008| Orlando, FL

Financial Performance Representations: The New Earnings Claim
The West Coast Franchise Expo
October 19-21, 2007| Los Angeles, CA

Alternatives to Single Unit Franchising
40th International Franchise Association Legal Symposium
May 7, 2007| Washington, D.C.

Earnings Claims
International Franchise Expo
March 30, 2007| Washington, D.C.

Franchisor and Franchisee Communications Roundtable
47th Annual International Franchise Association’s Convention
February 24-27, 2007| Las Vegas, NV

Registration and Franchise Law
38th International Franchise Association Legal Symposium
May 8-10, 2005| Washington, D.C.

Unauthorized Transfers
37th International Franchise Association Legal Symposium
May 24, 2004| Washington, D.C.

Creative Solutions for Dealing with Financially Troubled Franchisees
International Franchise Association’s 44th Annual Convention
March 9, 2004| Las Vegas, NV

Dealing with Financially Troubled Franchisees
International Franchise Association Convention: Business Solutions Roundtable
February 15, 2003| San Antonio, TX

Franchising Your Business
West Coast Franchise Expo
Oct/Nov 2007-2010| Los Angeles, CA

Franchising and Licensing Your Spa
Spacifically 2000
September 28, 2000| Los Angeles, CA

Publications

Author or Co-Author:

What’s in a Name? A Lot: Trademark and Brand Protection Strategies for Franchisors
19 Business Law Today, No. 4
March/April 2010| American Bar Association

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

Federal Trade Commission Amends Franchise Rule
Franchise Alert
January 26, 2007

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

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

The Madrid System and a Streamlined Process for Registering Trademarks Around the World
The Franchise Lawyer, Vol. 6, No. 3
Winter 2003