Don is recognized as a leading franchise and distribution attorney, representing large and start-up franchisors and manufacturers in product and services industries. He has assisted clients in structuring, implementing and maintaining franchise systems and distribution relationships. Don has practiced exclusively in franchising and distribution matters since 1979 and served as vice president and general counsel for two international franchisors for 10 years before returning to private practice. Today, he assists clients in all areas of franchise and distribution law including the preparation of franchise disclosure documents, franchise and dealer contracts, regulatory compliance, operations compliance, terminations and renewals of franchise and dealer contracts, determining the application of federal and state franchise and business opportunity laws, litigation and mediation, and in providing practical solutions to business issues. Don is a frequent speaker at franchise seminars across the country.
Don is leader of the firm's Franchise & Distribution practice group and its franchising seminars. He joined the firm as a partner in 1997.
Awards & Recognitions
· Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Franchise/Dealership Law, 2007-2010
· The Best Lawyers in America, Franchise Law, 1995-2012
Professional Associations & Memberships
· American Bar Association Forum on Franchising
· International Franchise Association
· Kansas Bar Association
· Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
· Lawyers Association of Kansas City
· The Missouri Bar
Civic Involvement
· Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church, Elder
· Shawnee Mission (Kan.) Board of Education, President, 1976-1984
Experience
· Represented numerous start-up franchisors, including the largest home companion care provider, national casual dining concepts, a boxing fitness club and European spa concept, in developing franchise documents (Franchise Disclosure Document in the restaurant and service industries, for example)
· Advise Fortune 500 company in all aspects of franchising relationships, including defaults, terminations, renewals, transfers, enforcement of operational standards and non-competition covenants
· Coordinate franchise regulatory compliance for all franchise clients including annual Franchise Disclosure Document update, annual franchise renewal registrations and franchise relationship statutory compliance
· Enforced option to purchase assets of six non-renewing franchised operations in separate litigation matters, preserving the goodwill and continuation of the six businesses as company-owned facilities
News & Publications
News
9.6.11, More Than 100 Husch Blackwell Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers 2012
10.13.10, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers 2010 Names 64 Husch Blackwell Attorneys; An Additional 20 Listed as Rising Stars
10.22.09, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers 2009 Names 73 Husch Blackwell Sanders Attorneys
Publications
6.1.11, Legal Considerations for Franchising Your Business, Thinking Bigger Business
Events
5.17.12, Road Map for a Successful Franchise System
Kansas City, MO
Seminar
2.22.12, Webinar Series: Can Franchising Your Business Create the Success of Your Dreams? Blueprint for Success: Your Operations Manual
Webinar
11.30.11, Webinar Series: Can Franchising Your Business Create the Success of Your Dreams? Requirements of Franchising - The Game Plan
Webinar
5.26.11, Can Franchising Your Business Create the Success Of Your Dreams?
Kansas City, MO
Seminar
8.25.10, Franchise & Distribution Seminar
Denver, CO
Seminar
5.19.10, Franchise & Distribution Seminar
Overland Park, KS
Seminar
9.22.09, Franchise & Distribution Seminar
Denver, CO
Seminar
5.7.09, Franchise & Distribution Seminar
Kansas City, MO
Seminar
5.6.08, Franchise & Distribution Seminar
Kansas City, MO
Seminar