About

Provided by Lathrop GPM

With one of the world’s leading franchise and distribution law practices, Lathrop GPM serves franchisors and master franchisees at all stages of their development, in markets throughout the world. We offer clients services related to domestic and international franchising in all aspects of their business including the following areas: franchise registrations and compliance advice, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, data security and privacy, technology, and reorganization and bankruptcy. We back up our transactional and regulatory advice with our franchise dispute resolution team. Our litigators have represented franchisors in courts and arbitration tribunals throughout the U.S., taking advantage of briefs, pleadings, and strategies which have withstood challenges in earlier cases.

International franchising remains a cornerstone of Lathrop GPM. We have advised well over 200 franchise systems with expansion efforts into more than 140 countries. While all of our offices are based in the U.S., our clients' transactions and perspective spans the globe on a daily basis. 

Beyond the 25 attorneys who focus primarily on legal issues related to franchising, Lathrop GPM has 350 lawyers who focus on other areas which support our franchisor and master franchisee clients, including employment, tax, real estate, trust and estate planning, environmental law, insurance recovery, and health law, among others.  

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Franchising - Global Market Leaders
2
Band 2
What the team is known for

Lathrop GRM is a respected US-based firm with substantial international capability. Operating out of Minneapolis and Washington, DC, the team is well versed in the full gamut of franchising matters. The law firm offers:

       • Expertise in assisting US-based franchisors with international expansion.

       • Advice for non-US multinational clients on their entry into the American market.

       • Experience representing a diverse client base, with a particular focus on the food and beverage and retail industries.

       • A highly-rated franchise disputes practice well equipped for litigation and international arbitration concerning the termination of franchise agreements.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Gaylen L Knack
2
Gaylen L Knack
2
Band 2

Gaylen Knack is an experienced practitioner and adept at handling complex international franchising matters. He is based in the USA.

"Gaylen always gives practical and pragmatic advice."

"He is very business-oriented and knows what the client wants from a business perspective."

Elizabeth Dillon
4
Elizabeth Dillon
Head of Franchising
4
Band 4

Elizabeth Dillon is highly regarded for her strategic and effective representation of franchisors in a range of matters including global transactions and disputes. She is also experienced in franchise expansions into foreign markets.

"Elizabeth is very level-headed, calm, thorough and simply a pleasure to work with."

Ranked Lawyers at
Lathrop GPM

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Global Market Leaders

Franchising

Gaylen L Knack
2
Gaylen L Knack
2
Band 2
Elizabeth Dillon
4
Elizabeth Dillon
Head of Franchising
4
Band 4

Members

Provided by Lathrop GPM

Alicia Goedde

Ashley Bennett Ewald

Cameron Johnson

Craig Miller

Eli Bensignor

Elizabeth Dillon

Elizabeth Dillon

Head of Department

Emilie Eschbacher

Eric Yaffe

Erica Tokar

Frank Sciremammano

Hannah Fotsch

James Wahl

John Fitzgerald

Jose Garcia

Justin Sallis

Katie Bond

Maisa Frank

Marilyn Nathanson

Mark Kirsch

Michael R. Gray

Michael Sturm

Neil Goldsmith

Peter J Klarfeld

Richard Landon

Robert Zisk

Ryan Palmer

Samuel Butler

Sandra Bodeau

Stephen Vaughan

Thomas Pacheco

Tracy Castillo

Clients

Provided by Lathrop GPM

Ace Hardware

AmRest

Batteries Plus

BeaverTails

Body Fit Training

Caribou Coffee

Home Instead Senior Care

Jan-Pro

Link Staffing Services

Little Caesar

Papa Murphy's

Radisson Hotel Brands

ServiceMaster

Signal 88

YUM China

Industries

Provided by Lathrop GPM

Automobiles & Parts

Commercial & Professional Services

Construction & Materials

Education

Entertainment

Financial Services

Fitness

Health Care

Home Services

Hospitality

Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences

Real Estate

Restaurant, Food & Beverage

Retail

Staffing Services

Technology & Computer Sciences

Travel & Leisure