Best Law Firms in the United States for Franchise Law

Brito PLLC is a prestigious boutique law firm that has been nationally recognized for success in business law. We offer strategic solutions to protect businesses with complex legal challenges from franchise law and litigation to business disputes and commercial litigation. We manage risk and provide maximum protection of our clients’ assets and interests.

CM Law, formerly known as Culhane Meadows, was founded in 2013 through a visionary alliance of four attorneys who came together to build a different kind of law firm. The founding attorneys had collaborated for more than 15 years at several prominent national firms and shared a common vision: create a firm built around exceptional legal talent, strong client relationships, and a more efficient approach to delivering legal services.

From the beginning, CM Law was designed to challenge the traditional law firm model and focus resources where they matter most—on clients and their legal needs.

How is CM Law different from the traditional law firm model?

CM Law was founded on the belief that clients should not have to pay for the high overhead and inefficiencies traditionally associated with large law firms.

We leverage emerging technology and innovative ways of working to deliver sophisticated legal services efficiently, while avoiding unnecessary expenses such as extravagant office space, excessive support staff, elaborate artwork, marble columns, and other overhead that does not add value to the client experience.

Our approach allows us to remain focused on what matters most: providing high-quality legal counsel, responsive service, and meaningful value to our clients.

What does it mean to be a Client Minded Advocate® at CM Law?

At CM Law, we recognize that every legal matter exists within a larger business context. Whether a client is a growing business or a sophisticated in-house legal department, legal issues are often connected to broader objectives—including market demands, financial considerations, regulatory requirements, organizational culture, diversity and inclusion, and social or marketing goals.

That is why our attorneys approach each matter with an understanding of the client’s bigger picture. Rather than viewing a legal issue in isolation, we work to understand the business objectives behind it and develop practical strategies that help our clients achieve those goals.

How does CM Law bring together the right legal talent for its clients?

We cultivate cross-disciplinary, client-centered teams of attorneys with extensive legal experience and real-world business knowledge. By drawing on the collective capabilities of attorneys across practices and industries, we can assemble teams that are tailored to the specific needs of each client and matter.

This collaborative approach allows our clients to benefit from the depth and breadth of a full-service national law firm while maintaining the personalized attention and responsiveness they expect from their trusted legal advisors.

What role does inclusion play at CM Law?

Inclusion is fundamental to who we are—not simply concepts we discuss, but principles reflected in the way our firm is structured and operated.

As the largest national, full-service, women-owned and managed law firm in the United States, CM Law is proud to demonstrate its commitment through action. Our demographics and growth tell an important part of that story, as does our unique, objective, and fully transparent compensation system.

We believe meaningful inclusion requires more than statements or initiatives. It requires creating an environment where talented attorneys have opportunities to succeed, contribute, lead, and be recognized for the value they bring to the firm and our clients.

What makes CM Law’s approach successful?

Ultimately, our success is driven by our people and our commitment to our clients. We are privileged that so many business owners and in-house legal departments trust CM Law with their legal needs. That trust is a reflection of the exceptional legal work, responsiveness, business-minded perspective, and personal commitment of our attorneys.

Our model is intentionally designed to put those qualities at the center of the client experience—combining sophisticated legal counsel with efficiency, collaboration, transparency, and a genuine understanding of what our clients are trying to accomplish.

Luther Lanard, The Franchisee Lawyers, provide services to franchise owners nationwide, helping clients with the entire lifecycle of being a franchise owner. That assistance starts with evaluating a franchise opportunity, to negotiating a lease, to acquisitions and sales, to outside general counsel services as well as dispute resolution and litigation.

Madigan, Dahl & Harlan is an agile, results-focused Twin Cities-based law firm serving many long-standing clients in Minnesota and across the country. Clients value our legal team's deep knowledge and experience, practical business perspective, creativity and proven strength in high-profile litigation.

Applying more than 100 years of collective experience, our Minneapolis-based business litigation attorneys are adept analysts, strategists, negotiators and trial practitioners. We have built a national reputation in the realm of alcohol beverage law while representing a broad range of clients in other diverse business sectors. Reaching favorable resolution of franchise, dealer and distributor disputes is a specific forte for our firm.

We offer comprehensive business services from business entity formation to mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance and enforcement matters. We handle all manner of commercial, real estate-related and employment disputes. Whether you are pursuing a major transaction or involved in a controversy that demands decisive action at any level of the court system, you can depend on our alignment with your goals.

We are hardworking professionals who practice law with vigor and integrity. Partners in our firm have been perennially recognized with AV Preeminent* ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers publications, and various other honors. To discuss your immediate legal concern or ongoing needs, we invite you to contact us and schedule a consultation.

*AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories: legal ability and general ethical standards.

At Taft, we work together across offices and practice areas to help clients address legal and business challenges efficiently and strategically. Our attorneys focus on practical solutions designed to support clients’ goals, whether they are managing day-to-day operations, navigating complex transactions, or resolving disputes.

With more than 1,250 attorneys, Taft serves clients from offices in Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Delaware, Ohio; Aspen, Denver, and Colorado Springs, Colorado; Detroit and Southfield, Michigan; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Indianapolis, Indiana; Covington, Kentucky; Phoenix, Arizona; Stuart and West Palm Beach, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; and Washington, D.C.

Taft represents individuals, privately held businesses, public companies, nonprofits, and institutions across established and emerging industries throughout the United States and internationally.

The firm advises clients in a broad range of practice areas, including:

• Business
• Bankruptcy and Restructuring
• Employment and Labor Relations
• Energy
• Environmental
• Health Care
• Intellectual Property
• Lending and Finance
• Litigation
• Private Client
• Real Estate
• Tax

Since 1885, Taft has remained focused on delivering responsive legal counsel and client service tailored to the needs of businesses, organizations, and individuals.

Affiliated Businesses

Taft attorneys regularly collaborate with affiliated businesses to provide clients with additional consulting and advisory services in a variety of industries and operational areas. These affiliated businesses include:

• Ginovus
• Taft Advisors LLC
• Taft Business Consulting
• Taft Infrastructure Advisors

Through these organizations, clients have access to consulting services related to planning, forecasting, government relations, infrastructure, and public policy matters.

Awards and Honors

Taft and its attorneys have received recognition from legal industry publications and ranking organizations, including:

Main Areas of Practice:

Business: Taft represents public, private, and nonprofit clients in industries including banking, construction, finance, health care, insurance, manufacturing, private equity, real estate, retail, transportation, and utilities. The firm advises clients ranging from emerging businesses to Fortune 500 companies on local, national, and cross-border matters.

Bankruptcy and Restructuring: The firm represents debtors, lenders, creditors’ committees, trustees, suppliers, developers, landlords, buyers, sellers, and other parties in restructuring matters, insolvency proceedings, transactions, and related litigation across multiple industries.

Employment and Labor Relations: Taft advises employers on labor and employment matters, including workplace policies, litigation, labor relations, employee benefits and ERISA compliance, workplace safety, immigration matters, and workers’ compensation issues.

Energy: The firm represents energy providers, utilities, developers, independent power producers, transmission companies, and other participants in the energy sector on regulatory, transactional, and operational matters.

Environmental: Taft handles environmental litigation, regulatory compliance, enforcement matters, environmental due diligence, toxic tort claims, Superfund matters, Brownfields redevelopment, and administrative proceedings before state and federal agencies.

Health Care: The firm advises hospitals, physicians, health systems, research institutions, and medical device, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies on business, regulatory, reimbursement, litigation, employment, and compliance matters.

Intellectual Property: Taft counsels clients on patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing, and intellectual property litigation, including matters involving pharmaceuticals, life sciences, software, and internet-related technologies.

Lending and Finance: The firm represents lenders and borrowers in a wide range of financing transactions, including asset-based lending, acquisition finance, mezzanine financing, real estate finance, equipment leasing, regulatory compliance, and consumer financial services matters.

Litigation: Taft represents clients in state and federal courts, arbitration proceedings, and regulatory matters involving commercial disputes, antitrust, bankruptcy, construction, environmental claims, intellectual property, securities, product liability, white collar defense, and other complex litigation matters.

Private Client: The firm advises individuals, families, and business owners on estate planning, wealth transfer strategies, succession planning, trusts and estates, charitable planning, and tax-related matters.

Real Estate: Taft represents clients in matters involving acquisitions, dispositions, financing, leasing, development, land use, construction, property management, and real estate litigation.

Tax: The firm advises corporations, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, joint ventures, and individuals on tax planning, employee benefits, executive compensation, mergers and acquisitions, international tax matters, state and local taxation, and tax controversy matters.

National Trial Lawyers, Commercial Litigators, and Franchise Law Attorneys

Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. is a nationally recognized business trial law, complex commercial litigation, and franchise law firm. Zarco Law represents franchisees, franchisee associations, dealers, distributors, licensees, entrepreneurs, and business owners throughout the United States and internationally in high-stakes litigation, arbitration, mediation, and other complex business disputes.

Known as "The Great Equalizers," our attorneys have spent decades leveling the playing field for business owners and franchisees facing larger and better-funded adversaries. We are sophisticated, trial-tested litigators who have successfully handled disputes involving some of the nation's largest franchisors, manufacturers, distributors, licensors, and commercial enterprises. Our attorneys are known for developing innovative legal strategies in challenging matters where others believed success was unlikely. We combine sophisticated courtroom experience, strategic advocacy, and business insight to protect our clients when significant financial, operational, and reputational interests are at stake.

The firm is nationally recognized and award-winning for its franchise law practice representing franchisees and franchisee associations, while also maintaining a broad commercial litigation practice involving complex business disputes across numerous industries, including hospitality, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, real estate, and service-related businesses.

Complex Business, Franchise, and Commercial Disputes

Many of the matters we handle arise within ongoing business relationships and involve issues such as:

• Breach of contract
• Breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing
• Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) violations and franchise sales fraud
• Fraud in the inducement, fraudulent concealment, and business tort claims
• Encroachment and market cannibalization disputes
• Wrongful termination and non-renewal claims
• Liquidated damages disputes
• Unreasonable renewal conditions and transfer restrictions
• Dealer, distributor, and license agreement disputes
• Supply chain sourcing, vendor, and pricing disputes
• Restrictive covenant and non-compete litigation
• System-wide policy and operational changes affecting franchisees, dealers, distributors, and licensees
• Business divorce, partnership, shareholder, and ownership disputes
• Emergency injunctive and other extraordinary relief proceedings

Courtroom Strength Backed by Business Insight

What distinguishes Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. is our unique combination of legal and business experience. Our attorneys and professionals bring backgrounds in economics, accounting, banking, finance, and business operations, allowing us to evaluate disputes from both legal and commercial perspectives.

This multidisciplinary approach helps clients develop practical, cost-effective strategies designed to protect profitability, preserve enterprise value, and advance long-term business objectives.

The firm regularly represents clients in state and federal courts throughout the United States, as well as before arbitration panels and mediation forums, including matters administered by AAA, JAMS, and other alternative dispute resolution organizations.

Additional Areas of Representation

Our attorneys regularly handle:

• Complex commercial litigation
• Franchise litigation and franchise dispute resolution
• Commercial real estate and construction defect disputes
• Landlord-tenant and lease-related litigation
• C-suite and complex executive employment disputes
• Partnership, shareholder, and business ownership litigation
• Corporate, franchising, licensing, dealership, and distribution matters
• Complex business transactions and contract negotiations
• Emergency injunction and temporary restraining order proceedings
• Intellectual property, trademark, and unfair competition disputes

We also assist clients with the formation and structuring of businesses and the review, negotiation, and drafting of critical business agreements, including:

• Franchise Agreements
• Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs)
• Dealer and Distribution Agreements
• Licensing Agreements
• Large Commercial Leases
• Purchase and Sale Agreements
• Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreements
• Non-Compete and Restrictive Covenant Agreements
• Personal Guarantees
• Shareholder, Partnership, and Operating Agreements

National and International Reach

Zarco Einhorn Salkowski has represented clients across more than 500 franchise systems, as well as numerous dealership, distribution, licensing, and independent business networks throughout the United States and in more than 20 countries worldwide.

The firm has represented clients throughout North America, South America, Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, providing strategic counsel in complex domestic and international business matters.

More than 40 franchisee associations have sought the firm's counsel regarding franchise law, association governance, commercial litigation, and complex business matters.

Recognizing that litigation costs can sometimes prevent businesses from pursuing legitimate claims, the firm maintains an efficient boutique-firm structure and, in appropriate matters, may explore alternative fee arrangements, including partial contingency, blended, and success-based fee structures where appropriate.

Representative Clients and Industries

The firm has represented franchisees, franchisee associations, dealers, distributors, licensees, and business owners in the restaurant, hospitality, retail, automotive, healthcare, fitness, education, home services, real estate, and professional services industries.

Representative matters have involved businesses associated with nationally recognized brands including McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Dunkin', Subway, Little Caesars, Papa John's, Domino's, Pizza Hut, KFC, Arby's, Church's Chicken, Johnny Rockets, TGI Fridays, Hard Rock Cafe, Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Ramada, Best Western, Quality Inn, 7-Eleven, RE/MAX, Sotheby's, Harley-Davidson, Servpro, Camp Bow Wow, Carvel, Tutor Time, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and numerous others.

More than 40 franchisee associations—including organizations affiliated with McDonald's, Subway, Home Instead, Massage Envy, Edible Arrangements, Little Caesars, Johnny Rockets, Papa John's, 7-Eleven, TCBY, Wood You Furniture, and Roto-Rooter—have sought the firm's counsel regarding franchise law, association governance, commercial litigation, and general business representation.

Whether through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or trial, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. remains committed to helping business owners, franchisees, franchisee associations, dealers, distributors, and licensees level the playing field and protect what they have worked so hard to build. We invite you to review our Client Testimonials, explore our Blogs and Videos, and learn more about our firm and client-focused advocacy that have helped make us the nationally recognized leader in franchise law and complex commercial litigation.