Susan A Grueneberg

Practice Areas

Susan advises clients on franchise and distribution law issues, including compliance with federal and state franchise and business opportunity laws. Susan’s practice includes structuring franchise programs; preparing, structuring and registering franchise programs, including drafting Franchise Disclosure Documents, Franchise Agreements, Area Development Agreements, Subfranchise Agreements, Master License Agreements, Area Representative Agreements, Joint Venture Agreements, and ancillary agreements; counseling on compliance with disclosure and other regulatory requirements; exemption-based franchising, mergers and acquisitions of franchise companies; international expansion of U.S. franchise programs, introduction of non-U.S. franchise programs to the United States; franchise relationship issues involving transfers, defaults and terminations; counseling non-compliant programs and defending government enforcement actions and investigations; assisting in franchise disputes in conjunction with litigators; protection of intellectual property, working with trademark counsel; and joint employment and vicarious liability avoidance including joint employment audits. Susan works with companies in many different industries including ones that are regulated, such as those in the health care and transportation sector. She also serves as an expert witness for franchisors in arbitration and litigation.