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Attorney Awards
About Attorney Awards
Franchise / Distribution
Our core objective is helping companies grow their business and expand their markets through franchising and related, innovative strategies.
Core Practice and Clients
Franchisor Representation: Our team counsels companies in rolling out new franchise programs in the U.S. and abroad, including drafting franchise agreements and disclosure documents, handling state and federal franchise registrations, and day to day counseling on termination, renewal, compliance, encroachment and similar day to day franchise issues. We represent U.S. and international franchisors, franchisees, licensors, manufacturers, and distributors, and we counsel clients on the scope of the franchise laws and avoiding de facto franchises.
Representative Matters
Adams and Reese attorneys serve as lead counsel in major domestic and international rollouts of new franchise systems and provide day-to-day advice to franchisors in the key areas of compliance with registration requirements and competition laws in the US and abroad, intellectual property protection, franchisee relations, and the boundaries of franchise law for businesses interested in not being characterized as franchises. Our attorneys also assist auto dealer and franchisee clients to secure necessary capital financing to meet manufacturer and franchisor capital requirements.
Representative Experience
Conversion of distribution network comprised of 100’s of non-franchise outlets to franchise system, including all federal and state registrations, disclosure documents, compliance, exclusivity and encroachment issues with non-converted retail outlets, drafting franchise agreements and related documents.
Develop and document non-franchise new market expansion plan for restaurant chain involving license agreements in lieu of franchise compliance.
Rollout of global franchise system for leading brand in language services including compliance, agreements, and disclosures in the United States and multiple locations in four continents.
Represented air conditioning company in the successful termination of a long standing distributorship in the Mobile/Florida Panhandle area.
Represented national fast food restaurant franchise and Fortune 500 company in personal injury defense litigation, including defense of premises liability claims, motor vehicle accidents, and food born illnesses, and the successful Chapter 11 bankruptcy recovery and repayment to franchisee obligations.
Negotiated development deals with both National Football League and National Hockey League teams.
Represented a franchisee of major air conditioning and heating company in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy where dealer retained franchise and operated post petition.
Represented one of Southeast's largest construction equipment dealers in litigation of dispute with road construction equipment supplier in which supplier sought to terminate dealer.
Obtained preliminary injunction preventing forklift manufacturer from terminating dealer for taking on representation of competing brand of forklifts.
Advised healthcare franchisor with regard to intervening in unfair competition litigation between franchisee and former employee.
Advised franchise clients in the fast food industry regarding termination and fast food issues.
Advised one of the largest equipment dealers in North America regarding application of state equipment dealer protection statutes to proposed asset purchase of competing dealer.
Successfully represented high-volume auto dealership against auto manufacturer regarding franchise agreement disputes and improper termination of the dealer/franchisee. Successfully represented dealer in various venues including arbitration, the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission and bankruptcy court.
5.0/5.0
Review for
Raymond Ward
by a Other Law Firm Position
on 06/30/14
in Appellate Practice
Ray is a superb attorney with insight and superior analytical skills, but is also a true gentlemen in a practice that has, over the past couple of decades, lost a great deal of the necessary human element and interaction that historically set attorne...
Read more
Ray is a superb attorney with insight and superior analytical skills, but is also a true gentlemen in a practice that has, over the past couple of decades, lost a great deal of the necessary human element and interaction that historically set attorneys apart. Ray is a refreshing return to old (and cherished) values.
Read less
Diversity is not new at Adams and Reese and is not the work of one individual or committee, but rather the work of our entire firm. Through dedication, creativity, hard work and leadership of many culturally diverse individuals coming together, our diversity momentum grows stronger every year. Our appreciation of the unique differences among us and how we benefit from the diverse backgrounds, experiences and talents of our attorneys, advisors and staff enhances our service to our clients while it enriches the lives of both our employees and the communities in which we work and live.
The Adams and Reese Diversity Committee is comprised of Deborah Rouen, Partner and Diversity Committee Chairwoman, the Recruiting Partner, the Partner for Associates, an Executive Committee Appointee, three Practice Group Leaders, the Chief Marketing Officer and additional representatives throughout the firm's footprint.
Our minority attorney committee also meets regularly with the firm’s Diversity Chairwoman to further develop and promote diversity through events targeted to other minority attorneys, clients and community members. This committee has successfully held numerous minority receptions and events in conjunction with the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Bayou Classic and the Essence Music Festival, as well as sponsorships including the Urban League, Diversity Summits, Black Business Networks, Minority Bar Association events, National Minority AIDS Council efforts, as well as endowed professorships and scholarships at historically black universities.
Adams and Reese women and minorities lead by example and share in the leadership of our firm. We are also proud of our women and minority attorneys serving in leadership positions in professional, civic and philanthropic organizations.
Recent Diversity Honors
Adams and Reese is proud of our diversity recognitions made possible through the hard work, dedication and commitment within the firm:
Diversity Recognition - Top 200 Law Firms for Women Equity Partners American Lawyer Media 2012
Diversity Award - Unity Award in Large Company Category Biz941 Magazine 2012
Diversity Award - Corporate Counsel Women of Color Diversity Award of Excellence Corporate Counsel Women of Color® 2011
Diversity Award - Commitment to Diversity Award Human Resources Management Association 2011
Diversity Award - Commendation of Diversity Principles Louisiana State Bar Association 2010
Diversity Recognition - Diversity Scorecard - Among top 200 law firms in diversity Minority Law Journal 2010, 2009, 2008
Diversity Award - Encouraging Diversity Award, Finalist Minority Business Awards Birmingham Business Journal 2009, 2007
Diversity Recognition - Women in Law Firms - Nationally ranked among nation's best law firms for women American Lawyer Magazine 2009
Diversity Award - Encouraging Diversity Award, First Place Minority Business Awards Birmingham Business Journal 2008
Diversity Recognition - Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity MultiCultural Law Magazine 2008
Diversity Recognition - Top 100 Law Firms for Women Women 3.0 Magazine 2008
Diversity Award - Lighthouse Award - Fostering diversity in the legal profession International Paper Legal Department 2006
Events and Sponsorships Adams and Reese is proud to host, sponsor, partner and participate in numerous diversity initiatives:
ABA Minority Counsel Program
ABA Section of Litigation Products Liability Committee's "Women in Products Liability"
Bayou Classic
Corporate Counsel Women of Color® Annual Career Strategies Conference
Endowed Professorships and Scholarships at Historically Black Universities
Essence Music Festival
GE Midwestern Diversity Conference
Louisiana State Bar Association Minority Involvement Annual Job Fair – Loyola University
Loyola University College of Law Diversity Programs
Martinet Scholarship Gala
Mobile United Ethics and Diversity Seminar
National Association of Women Judges Annual Conference
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and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service.
Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.
At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.
At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.
Adams and Reese LLP got this award in 2026
At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.
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or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Adams and Reese LLP got this award in 2026
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respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
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publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.
Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.
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