Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP

Our franchising and distribution law practice has the depth and reputation to handle the most complicated franchise and distribution issues. Two of our attorneys have been recognized by Franchise Times® as two of the top 100 franchise lawyers in the United States. Our attorneys take leadership roles in the International Franchise Association and the ABA Forum on Franchising. In 2012, our franchise group helped one of our partners co-author the 2012 ABA Annual Update on Franchising, which is heavily relied on by most franchise practitioners.

Our litigation attorneys have handled hundreds of franchise matters over the years and have taken many cases through final award or judgment throughout the United States. Our litigation attorneys are also well-versed in all forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Our franchise and distribution lawyers provide a full range of services designed to meet the unique legal needs of companies that offer goods and services through franchising and related distribution methods. We have significant experience assisting clients in the development and planning of their franchise, distribution and licensing programs. For clients with new franchise programs, we can prepare franchise, area development, and related agreements. We also review, revise and update such agreements for existing franchisors.

The rapid growth of franchising has prompted a significant increase in state, federal and foreign regulation. Our franchise lawyers routinely assist new and existing franchisors in negotiating the regulatory maze governing the sale of franchises. In particular, we assist in preparing offering circulars that comply with the disclosure requirements of the various states and countries in which such circulars are to be distributed, and in registering franchisors where such registration is required.

The services provided by our franchise and distribution lawyers include:

• trademark registration, and licensing;
• general and specific guidance and assistance with respect to the organization and reorganization of the franchise or distribution system;
• counsel with respect to franchise-related real estate matters;
• assistance with respect to the creation or modification of a franchise advertising cooperative;
• advice with respect to the termination of an existing franchise, distributorship or dealership from the perspective of both the franchisor/distributor or distribution and the franchisee/distributorship; and
• advice regarding the implications of franchise relationships within the context of mergers, acquisitions and other fundamental business changes.

We also provide a full range of services to franchisees and distributors including reviewing and negotiating franchise agreements, area development agreements, master licenses, and distribution agreements. We also advise franchisee associations on formation, business transactions, and dispute resolution.

Our Commitment to Diversity

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting individuals of diverse backgrounds to ensure that our firm reflects the clients we represent and our values of inclusion.  We believe that embracing differences in ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, religion, and other characteristics, helps us consider the full range of perspectives our clients face and the goals they seek to achieve, allowing us to provide more creative, insightful, and complete guidance and counsel.  By affirmatively embracing and appreciating those differences, we create a supportive working environment at Shumaker for all individuals of the firm.

Diversity in Action

Shumaker's commitment to diversity is reflected in the following measures:

1. Creation of a Diversity & Inclusion Committee to coordinate and direct our diversity initiatives. Our committee is made up of partners (including at least one member of the Firm’s management committee), associates and administrative personnel.
2. Recipient of the 2013 Gold Standard Certification by Women in Law Empowerment Forum, which is given only to firms that have demonstrated that women represent a meaningful percentage of their equity partners, are involved in the highest leadership positions and have meaningful representation in the ranks of the firm’s most highly compensated partners. Shumaker was one of only 42 firms in the country to have received this prestigious award in 2013.
3. Creation of Shumaker’s Women’s Leadership Initiative, a firm-sponsored group dedicated to promoting, developing and fostering the potential of our female attorneys, helping them to navigate a path to a successful and satisfying legal career at the Firm, and to serve as leaders within the legal and business communities.
4. Membership and active participation in organizations that support diversity initiatives in our communities. Such organizations include, without limitation, racial, ethnic, disability, gender/LGBT and age initiatives.
5. Diversity in our hiring, advancement and leadership practices, for attorneys as well as staff members, including our Summer Associate Program.
6. Annual participation in the Toledo Bar Association’s Minority Clerkship Program.
7. Annual participation in the Ohio State Bar Foundation Law and Leadership Program, a program to establish a pipeline into the legal profession for disadvantaged students from underserved schools.
8. Membership in Partners in Education, a program in which our employees serve as tutors and mentors and provide ongoing financial support to area schools and students in need.
9. Cultivation of leadership opportunities among all attorneys and staff, recognizing the importance and benefit of diversity in leadership.
10. Firm-wide participation in periodic diversity education seminars or training programs.
11. Informal programs implemented firm-wide to enhance our awareness and understanding of the importance and benefits of diversity among our workforce and promote inclusion.