Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, CONFERENCES: ABA Forum on Franchising Releases Program for 36th Annual Meeting, (Jun 3, 2013)

The 36th annual meeting of the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising (entitled “Franchising in Full Animation”) will feature a day of intensive programs, followed by two days of plenary sessions and workshops, on October 16-18, 2013, at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Highlights of the meeting include the traditional “Fundamentals of Franchising” intensive program, the annual franchise and distribution law developments plenary session, a reception and dinner at Universal Studios, and a community service event, according to the recently-released program schedule.

The meeting will begin with three intensive programs on Wednesday, October 16. “Fundamentals of Franchising” will provide a comprehensive overview of franchise law for those wanting an introduction to the field, as well of those who want a refresher court. Speakers will include Susan A. Grueneberg (structuring the franchise), Christopher A Bussert (trademarks), James A. Goniea (franchise relationship laws), Karen B. Satterlee (disclosure and registration), Harris J. Chernow (representation of franchisees), and antitrust laws (Lee J. Plave). The “Fundamentals of International Franchising” will offer a framework for counsel moving into the international arena. Speakers are Will K. Woods (moderator), Andraya C. Frith, Andrew Loewinger, Pascal Hollander, John H. Pratt, and Sherin Sakr. The “Fundamentals of Franchise Mediation” will discuss the advantages of mediation of franchise disputes, address latest trends, and include an audience-interactive mock mediation. Speakers are the Honorable Karen Willcutts (moderator), Marcus A. Banks, Peter R. Silverman, and Paula J. Morency.

The main program will include two plenary sessions and 24 workshops over Thursday, October 17, and Friday, October 18. The first plenary session—“2013 and Beyond: Trends in Franchising”—will feature some of the Forum’s longtime leaders reflecting on trends and their relevance to the modern day franchise system. Speakers include Joseph J. Fittante, Jr. (moderator), Lee N. Abrams, John F. Dienelt, Steven M. Goldman, and Rochelle B. Spandorf. The second plenary session is the annual “Franchise and Distribution Law Developments” presentation by Michael R. Gray and Jeffrey S. Haff.

Workshops will cover the following topics: (1) leveraging diversity: legal and business considerations; (2) advanced drafting of franchise agreements; (3) forms of ownership of the franchisor; (4) a five-year review of the amended FTC franchise rule; (5) the lease triangle in franchising; (6) legal issues peculiar to food service franchising; (7) federal and state business opportunity laws; (8) the role of the lawyer in a franchisee’s due diligence; (9) franchise examiner forum: advanced disclosure issues; (10) the use and analysis of financial statements; (11) hot topics in ethics in the practice of franchise law; (12) strategies for effective franchise associations and councils; (13) transfers of franchises; (14) remedies; (15) equitable doctrine and legal principles: res judicata, collateral estoppel, waiver, and more; (16) data protection and privacy in franchising; (17) disclaimers in the wake of the amended FTC franchise rule; (18) crisis and reputational management; (19) prosecuting and defending against a claim of spoliation; (20) false advertising in franchise systems; (21) online infringement, encroachment, and enforcement of trademarks; (22) foreign competition law; (23) terminating an international master franchisee; and (24) discovery issues in franchise litigation.

Program co-chairs for the meeting are Diane Green-Kelly and Eric H. Karp. Further information and online registration are available on the ABA Forum on Franchising website.

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