Franchise Attorneys - Franchise Lawyers
For franchise attorneys, other pertinent factors are (1) Total number of franchise disclosure documents drafted, reviewed and negotiated; (2) Experience filing franchise registration applications in all states or jurisdictions that have a registration requirement; (3) Types of ongoing support programs and management training offered; (4) Experience representing franchise companies as well as persons buying a franchise. Knowing both sides of the fence is a tremendous asset; (5) Franchise Attorney MBA. It's always a big plus if the franchise attorney also has an MBA so practical legal and business advice is possible. You can do a Google search with these twin search attributes (franchise attorney MBA) and narrow the field considerably. This approach also means you won't have to hire a separate franchise consultant; (6) Franchise Expert qualification in court. If the franchise attorney has qualified as an expert in court, especially in franchise litigation cases involving franchise misrepresentation and lack of proper disclosure, that’s a definite plus. These franchise attorneys will have a sensitivity for knowing where the “bullets” in franchise litigation come from, and advising you on how to avoid expensive, potential franchise liability.
| Franchise Consultants
For franchise consultants, other pertinent factors are (1) Scope of their assignment. If they’re providing business franchise relationship structuring advice, helping you refine or develop a franchise operations manuals, franchise training programs etc., that’s fine and good. Most franchise attorneys lack these skills and hence the need for a franchise consultant. But if the consultant steps over the line, and starts drafting the Franchise Disclosure Document, contract, franchise registration application etc., that’s a different story. They’re engaging in what's called the unauthorized practice of law, despite their contractual disclaimers or requirement that your attorney review everything they do. (2) Past ownership and operation of a franchise. If they haven’t practiced what they preach, this is not a good thing. (3) Types of ongoing support and franchise management training offered; (4) Conflicts of interest. If you're thinking about buying a franchise and the franchise consultant is collecting a commission from franchise companies he or she recommends, their advice is anything but impartial. In fact, many franchise brokers call themselves franchise consultants in a semantic attempt to disguise their true identity. If you’re buying a franchise opportunity use a competent, impartial adviser you alone pay – whether it’s a franchise attorney or franchise consultant. That way, you will receive objective franchise investment advice and recommendations.
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